Pope Francis recently announced the forthcoming canonisation of an iconic 20th century martyr for social justice, Blessed Oscar Romero, soon to become San Romero of America.

Although the date has not yet been announced, Romero, who was gunned down as he offered Mass in El Salvador, may possibly be canonised around the same time as the National Eucharistic Congress in Liverpool.

When Redemptorist Publications approached Julian Filochowski of the Romero Trust and asked him to write about Romero as a “Eucharistic martyr”, they had no idea that his canonisation could be so close.

Neither did they know that, in asking Professor David Crystal to write about John Bradburne, he would be taking one step closer to being officially recognised as a martyr. Bradburne, from Skirwith in Cumbria, was kidnapped and murdered in Zimbabwe on September 5 1979 for refusing to abandon his beloved leprosy patients.

Filochowski and Professor Crystal are two of more than 40 contributors to a special 124-page magazine, Adoremus Extra, published by Redemptorist Publications, which aims to leads towards and beyond September’s Eucharistic Congress.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, preacher to the papal household for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, opens the publication’s beautiful kaleidoscope of Eucharistic treasures.

Renowned scholars Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB, Father Nicholas King SJ, Father Denis McBride CSsR and Church historian Father Norman Tanner SJ come together to tell us why the Eucharist is “the source and summit” of life.

Husband and wife team Frank and Denise Cottrell-Boyce, screenwriter and catechist, add their own gems to this keepsake magazine.

It also includes the thoughts and experiences of a prison chaplain and inmates, whose lives are turned around behind bars, parish catechists and a school chaplain.

Adoremus Extra is a full colour, A4 collection of articles, with a six-week series of daily reflections, children’s pages and practical hints for your parish.