About Santo Subito!

“Santo Subito” (Sainthood Now) is not just a slogan that some young Romans happened to come up with that afternoon of April 8th 2005. It is a popular slogan that dates back to the first centuries of the Church’s history: it came into being along with a similar cry which was “Vox Populi, vox Dei” meaning: “The voice of the people is the voice of God”. During the persecution of the Early Christians, all martyrs to the faith were proclaimed “Santo Subito”.

After the reign of Emperor Constantine and the end of the persecutions, the focus shifted to the Confessori (Confessors), who became Saints immediately after their death by virtue of having lived a heroic life in support of the Christian faith. Not until the 6th century did the Church start the first formal procedures in the beatification process; initially through local Churches and then in Rome through the Holy Mother Church itself. It is clear however, that the role of Christians in proclaiming who is to become a Saint has always been fundamental.

We know that the pilgrimage to John Paul II’s grave has not ceased since the day he was buried. Everyday from 9.00 am to 7.00pm there is an endless queue of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square stretching from the right colonnade to the tomb of Karol Wojtyla, each one bringing his or her sorrows, wishes and joys to the Great Pope. For many of them the visit ends with the following prayer:

Oh Holy Trinity,
we thank you for giving Pope John Paul II to the Church
and for making him resplendent
with the tenderness of Your fatherhood,
with the glory of Christ’s cross
and the splendour of the Holy Spirit of Love.
Ever reliant on your infinite mercy
and with the motherly intercession of Mary,
He gave us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd
and showed us that Holiness
is the highest aim in the life of any Christian,
and is the path to follow to attain eternal communion with You.
Grant us, through his intercession and in accordance with Your will,
the grace we implore
in the hope that he will soon be counted amongst the number of your Saints.
Amen

* Photographs by Michelangelo Giuliani - copyright Famiglia Cristiana