A traditional Polish color guard parades a statue of Pope John Paul II among parishioners at Five Holy Martyrs following a Mass in thanksgiving for the beatification John Paul II May 1. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated the Polish pontiffs elevation to blessed along with the beatification Mass by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. Here are some photos from Chicago-area Catholics marking the momentous event.
A man stands amongst cars in the packed parking lot of Five Holy Martyrs Parish May 1. Many of the cars bore yellow and white papal flags or red and white Polish flags.
Photo: Brian J. Morowczynski / Catholic New World