By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
The place and date have not yet been announced, but Bishop Larry Silva is fairly confident it will be at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, next fall.
So plans for the canonization of Father Damien are proceeding tentatively. Some things, however, have already been established. Namely:
The diocese has selected Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. of Honolulu as the official pilgrimage travel agency.
The canonization pilgrimage from Hawaii will most likely offer a side trip to Belgium, the country of Father Damien’s birth and his final resting place, and a day trip to Assisi, Italy, where St. Francis lived, to honor Sister of St. Francis Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai.
Travel costs have not yet been determined. But those who want to receive ongoing information about the pilgrimage may register with Seawind Tours at www.seawindtours.com/damien.
The Sacred Hearts Congregation has approved Bishop Silva’s request for a relic of Father Damien, probably a bone to be retrieved from his tomb in Louvain, Belgium, to be permanently enshrined in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, where Father Damien was ordained. The relic will probably be presented to the bishop at the canonization ceremony.
The diocese’s Blessed Damien/Blessed Marianne Commission is planning events throughout the state to celebrate the canonization.
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) has informed the commission that it will be televising the canonization. EWTN is available on local digital cable and satellite TV.
The commission is exploring ways to raise funds for canonization festivities, in particular to cover the pilgrimage expenses of Kalaupapa residents. To make a donation, write a check payable to “Office of the Bishop” and send it to the Office of the Bishop, 1184 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Mark the check clearly as a “donation for the Damien canonization events.”
This past July 3, Pope Benedict signed a decree accepting the unexplainable cure of a Hawaii woman from cancer as a miracle performed through Blessed Damien’s intercession. The miracle was the second and final one required in the church’s canonization process.
The pope’s approval of the miracle paved the way for Blessed Damien being named a saint. While the canonization date could be announced at any time, Bishop Silva expects the news to come in early 2009.