More saints are marching in. The pope already has elevated 280 people, nearly a tenth of all the saints ever officially acknowledged by the Vatican. An average of eight people have been named saints at the 33 canonization ceremonies John Paul has held. John Paul's past selections have been eclectic, ranging from last year's elevation to full sainthood of 14th century Polish Queen Hedwig to his 1980 beatification of Kateri Tekakwitha, a 17th century New York Mohawk Indian who is among more than 770 people awaiting full canonization.
Saints are people who lived heroic lives and who are examples to the church.
They also intercede for us in heaven. The American bishops have joined the worldwide lobbying effort on behalf of Mother Teresa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her Sisters of Mercy ministry in Calcutta to ease the suffering of the terminally ill. The pope earlier this week waived the normal five-year waiting period for commencement of Teresa's review for sainthood. The Bishops of the United States rejoice that the process of her canonization can begin even while people have vivid memories of all that she meant to every strata of society in virtually every nation of the world. If Teresa's supporters are successful, she will join an honored group of indeterminate size.