St. Peter's Basilica will bring together groups from all over Argentina. On Sunday, at 9:30 a.m., Pope Francis will canonize a woman from his homeland, Mama Antula—who will become the country's first female saint.
BP. ALBERTO BOCHATEY
Secretary, Bishops' Conference of Argentina
To think that entering St. Peter's, Catholicism, the temple of Catholicism, everything. And to dedicate the Eucharist to an Argentinean saint, with the Argentinean pope, with the bishops, the laity. Undoubtedly, it is universal, but a little bit of the emotion of the earth next to the tomb of Peter is a magnificent gift, and it is to confirm and renew the faith of the Argentines in Jesus Christ, the Lord Savior of history.
Known as Mama Antula, she was born in 1730 in a village in northern Argentina. Alongside the Jesuits, this laywoman began a journey of over 3,000 miles evangelizing through the country to present-day Buenos Aires, where she founded the Holy House of Spiritual Exercises.
BP. VICENTE BOKALIC IGLIC
Bishop of Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Mama Antula is a woman, with all that a woman means today in the Church and with all the movement there was in the Church of renewal. She was a pioneer, because she is a laywoman; she is not a religious, she is not a nun. She is a laywoman of the world, but she was formed by the Jesuits, because they were from the school of operators, of educational and social action. She was formed by spending 22 years at their side. Imagine the schooling she has had.
Many Argentinean bishops will be present at the canonization, such as the head of the diocese of the future saint, that of Buenos Aires and the Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina.
The newly elected President of Argentina, Javier Milei, will also attend the ceremony.
ABP. JORGE GARCÍA CUERVA
Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Relations are institutional relations. I believe that their presence at this Mass is important because we are talking about an event that is important for all Argentines, such as the canonization of the first female Argentinean saint.
The new Argentine President will also meet with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace on Monday, February 12.
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TR: AT
