Canonisation of Saint Charles
Rome - 3rd June 2007.

Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed four new Saints on Sunday 3rd June 2007. Among them was Saint Charles of Mount Argus.

Click here for a few photographs of the event.

During the Homily Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Saint Charles of Mount Argus as follows:-

"The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us." Truly, in the case of the Passionist priest, Charles of Saint Andrew Houben, we see how that love overflowed in a life totally dedicated to the care of souls.

During his many years of priestly ministry in England and Ireland, the people flocked to him to seek out his wise counsel, his compassionate care and his healing touch. In the sick and the suffering he recognized the face of the Crucified Christ, to whom he had a lifelong devotion.

He drank deeply from the rivers of living water that poured forth from the side of the Pierced One, and in the power of the Spirit he bore witness before the world to the Father's love.

At the funeral of this much-loved priest, affectionately known as Father Charles of Mount Argus, his superior was moved to observe: "The people have already declared him a saint." - Pope Benedict XVI