In the Council Room of the City Hall, in the presence of the mayor, of the Archbishop of Acrieale, and of the Archbishop of Trapani, a group of the illustrious bishop’s relatives, many citizens, and representatives of various religious groups came together.

Talks intending to illustrate the Carmelite as a zealous pastor were given by Emanuele Boaga, O. Carm., instructor at the Marianum in Rome, and by Bishop Gaetano Zito, Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Catania and instructor at the Studio Teologico S. Paolo in Catania. From the presentations emerged the picture of a man of deep prayer, of great culture, and of creativity. He was called "Father of Charity": all of his life was an unceasing hymn of charity and good works, in a continuous reference back to the Gospel.

The session concluded with some testimonials to the bishop.

At the end was the declaration of the Linguaglossa City Government that a city square be named for the Carmelite bishop, as a place of meeting and of socialization dedicated to the teaching of this figure, example and model of faith, Apostle of hope, and champion of charity.

A Marvel to Behold Following Its Latest Renovation The Newly Restored Sacristy of the Carmelite Church in Krakow, Poland

The magnificent sacristy of the Carmelite church in Krakow, with its current interior design and decoration, was constructed 1656 – 1670. However, the polychrome covering the sacristy was installed in the first half of 20th century. The sacristy is actually two connected rooms— a proper sacristy with an altar, areas for vesting and storage, as well as an adjacent entrance hall which leads to the cloister of the monastery. The interior of the sacristy has been renovated many times. Unfortunately sometimes the remodeling was not done very professionally by the Carmelites themselves. Each time another coat of paint with a randomly chosen color was applied. Over a series of these renovations, the lower portions of the walls, originally made of stone ashlars, were covered with a lime-cement plaster. Other damage came from structural cracks in the walls and increasing dampness caused by rain. The most recent damage occurred when holes were punched in the walls to install electricity. In 2005, a conservation project for the sacristy was initiated to restore the interiors to their original appearance and to conserve the seriously damaged polychromy on the vault of the ceiling. The most modern technology and the most proven materials were used. The seriously damaged altar inside the sacristy was also restored as was the very prominent chandelier and the cabinets used to store liturgical items. The old staircase, leading from the sacristy’s entrance hall to the first floor of the monastery was also replaced. From the staircase it is easy to see the small portrait of Pope John Paul II with the inscription "Santo subito" REN.A.D2005. This addition to the masterpiece captures the hopes of the people of the Carmelite parish for their beloved former archbishop who became the first Polish pope. Andrzej Zonko, O. Carm., prior and restorer of the Krakow sacristy. (CITOC foto) Ceiling medallion with the hopes for Pope John Paul II's canonization. (Photo courtesy of the Polish Province)

The Vatican has announced that the beatification of Carmelite Servant of God Àngel Maria Prat Hostench and his 16 Companions will take place at St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, on October 28, 2007. These Carmelites fell victim to the hatred of the Christian faith during the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930’s. It is estimated that over 1 million from all ages and social classes—bishops, priests, both male and female religious and laity—were killed.

In addition to the Servant of God Prat Hostench, those Carmelites being beatified are Eliseo María Maneus Besalduch, Anastasi María Dorca Coromina, Eduardus María Serrano Buj, all of whom were priests. The group also includes professed students Pere María Ferrer Marín, Andreu María Solé Rovira, Miguel María Soler Sala, Joan María Puigmitjà Rubió, Joan María Prat Colldecarrera, Eliseu María Fontdecava Quiroga, and two novices Joseph María Escoto Ruiz, and Elias María Garre Egea. They all died on July 28, 1936 in Clot dels Aubins, Lleida.

Two other Carmelites, Ludovico María Ayet Canós and Àngel María Presta Batllé, were incarcerated in July 1936 and then killed October 13, 1936 in a cemetery of Barcelona.

Carmelites Ferran María Lloverá Puigsech, who died on November 22, 1936, Eufrosí María Raga Nadal, who died on October 3, 1936, and the enclosed nun from the monastery of Vic, María del Patrocini de Sant Josep Badía Flaquer, who died on August 13, 1936, are also included in the group.

The decree promulgating the martyrdom of the Carmelites was approved by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Some 498 Spanish martyrs will be beatified during the ceremony. This is the largest single beatification to take place in the Catholic Church in modern times (not considering the 800 Blessed Martyrs of Otranto for whom there is not a complete list of names). The ceremony will be lead by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, the prefect of the Congregation for the Saints’ Causes.