Sister: 'We took time to spend an hour in Adoration at a small church near St. Peter's that holds the World Youth Day Cross'

ROME - Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM, of the Diocese of Saginaw has traveled to Rome for the beatification of Servant of God John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1.

"This is our second day in Rome and pilgrims are filling the streets and places around the Vatican. There is a tremendous spirit of joy in the air. The Polish Catholic Cultural Society has displayed a very large presentation of the life of Pope John Paul. Thousands of people passed through it today on the opening day. We went through it and spent time walking around St. Peter's. The spirit is very festive. In the afternoon we took time to spend an hour in Adoration at a small church near St. Peter's that holds the World Youth Day Cross. This cross was presented to the youth of the world by Pope John Paul in 1984. Here is what he said at the time: 'My dear young people, at the conclusion of this Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the Cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the whole world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption!'. Twenty-seven years have passed, and that cross has been carried to nearly every country in the world! This is clearly a universal Church celebration, and we are so grateful to be here."

Throughout the next week, Sister Yvonne Mary will be sharing information and photos from the beatification right here on DoS News.