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.
Hundreds of parishioners from St. Hyacinth Basilica filled the block around an outdoor statue of Pope John Paul II for prayer and song May 1.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World