By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
Bishop Larry Silva is scheduled to be in Rome for the announcement of the date of Blessed Damien’s canonization on Feb. 21 at a “consistory for certain causes of canonization” led by Pope Benedict XVI at 11 a.m. in Clementine Hall. That would be midnight that morning Hawaii-time.
Father Damien will be one of 10 canonizations to be announced.
The bishop had reservations to leave Hawaii for Rome on Tuesday evening, Feb. 17. (This newspaper went to press on Feb. 16.)
Bishop Silva was invited to Rome by phone on Feb. 7 by Sacred Hearts Father Alfred Bell, the German priest who is the postulator, the chief promoter, of Damien’s canonization cause. The Sacred Hearts Congregation’s headquarters are in Rome.
The Vatican on Feb. 5 released the papal liturgical calendar that included the consistory for causes of canonizations. Clementine Hall is a large room in the Apostolic Palace near St. Peter’s Basilica that the pope often uses to gather with cardinals and bishops.
Bishop Silva told members of his Father Damien/Mother Marianne Commission by e-mail on Feb. 9 that the trip would give him the opportunity to “give a ‘blow by blow’ description of what took place” and a chance “to interact with some of the key people who will be involved in the canonization and to see some of the sites we may be using for pre- and post-canonization functions.”
Damien’s canonization is widely anticipated to take place in October, the month Pope Benedict has presided over canonizations every year except one. However, with 10 canonizations to be announced, there would likely be two canonization dates, since sainthood ceremonies of late have been done in groups of four and five. If one date is in October, Bishop Silva speculated that the other date could be as early as July.
The other nine to be made saints are as follows:
Blessed Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, Polish former archbishop of Warsaw and founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary.
Blessed Arcangelo Tadini, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth.
Blessed Francesc Coli y Guitart, Spanish professed priest of the Order of Friars Preachers and founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation.
Blessed Rafael Arnaiz Baron, Spanish oblate friar of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance
Blessed Nuno di Santa Maria Alvares Pereira, Portuguese religious of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Blessed Gertrude Comensoli (nee Caterina), Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
Blessed Mary of the Cross Jugan (nee Jeanne), French virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart.
Bishop Silva said that Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, the sponsoring diocese of Damien’s canonization, had months ago requested an October date from the pope.
According to Randy King, president of Seawind Tours and Travel, who was in Rome earlier this month arranging the official canonization pilgrimage from Hawaii, Oct. 18 was the date most talked about there, but never confirmed.
The diocese has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference on Feb. 21 to announce the date locally.
At the conference, vicar general Father Marc Alexander, Deacon Wallace Mitsui, chairman of the Damien Canonization Committee, and Randy King will also release plans for Hawaii celebrations and preparations for the Hawaii pilgrimage to Rome.
Father Alexander will celebrate two Masses in thanksgiving for the announcement, the first at 6 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, and the second at 9 a.m., Feb. 22, at St. Francis Church in Kalaupapa.