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.
Halina Strama and Halina Zbierajewska hold papal flags on May 1 during a prayer service outside of St. Hyacinth Basilica following Mass. Worshippers gathered around an outdoor statue of Pope John Paul II for prayer and song.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World