Blessed Pope Paul VI - UPDATED

Pope Paul VI
Source - Wikipedia

On Sunday 19th October at the closing Mass of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, Pope Francis will beatify his often castigated and ignored predecessor Pope Paul VI who was pope from 1963 to 1978. This follows on from a decision on 20th December 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, to declare that the late pontiff had lived a life of heroic virtue, which means that he can now be called "Venerable". A miracle attributed to the intercession of Paul VI was approved on 9 May 2014 by Pope Francis. His liturgical feast day will not on the date of his death as is usual, but it will be celebrated on the date of his birth, 26 September.

Biography of Pope Paul VI from the Vatican website HERE

Analysis of Pope Paul's contribution to the church and to the world and the road to beatification:

Vatican Radio - Pope Paul VI: of miracles and relics

John Predmore SJ - Pope Paul is almost a saint: Here are four of his biggest legacies

Russel Shaw - Giving Pope Paul his due and Paul VI: The Long-Suffering Servant Pope

Thomas Williams - The case for the sainthood of Pope Paul VI

Whispers in the Loggia - The Blessed Montini – Paul VI To Be Beatified Oct. 19

The Irish Catholic - Paul VI beatification highlights the importance of dialogue 

Pray Tell - My favourite story about Paul VI

 

 

UPDATE

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"... at least, of the current pontificate. @roccopalmo

 

 

Pope Francis' homily at the beatification Mass:

When we look to this great Pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thanks! Thank you, our dear and beloved Pope Paul VI! Thank you for your humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his Church!

In his personal journal, the great helmsman of the Council wrote, at the conclusion of its final session: "Perhaps the Lord has called me and preserved me for this service not because I am particularly fit for it, or so that I can govern and rescue the Church from her present difficulties, but so that I can suffer something for the Church, and in that way it will be clear that he, and no other, is her guide and saviour" (P. Macchi, Paolo VI nella sua parola, Brescia, 2001, pp. 120-121). In this humility the grandeur of Blessed Paul VI shines forth: before the advent of a secularized and hostile society, he could hold fast, with farsightedness and wisdom – and at times alone – to the helm of the barque of Peter, while never losing his joy and his trust in the Lord.