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.
Father Stanley Lasota prepares to incense a 17-foot-tall bronze statue of Pope John Paul II at St. Hyacinth Basilica following Mass on May 1. Pope John Paul II visited St Hyacinth's as a cardinal. The bronze statue of him as pope stands in the Memorial Garden next to the church.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World