Blessed Damien becomes Saint Damien on Oct. 11
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
Blessed Damien will become Saint Damien on Oct. 11.
Pope Benedict XVI announced the canonization date of the famed 18th-century missionary to Molokai’s Hansen’s disease patients on Feb. 21 at a “consistory for certain causes of canonization” in Clementine Hall in the Apostolic Palace near St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
Bishop Larry Silva was there for the announcement, one of 10 guests invited 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.
Father Alexander celebrated a Mass in thanksgiving for the announcement, at 5 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. A second Mass of Thanksgiving was scheduled for 9 a.m., Feb. 22, at St. Francis Church in Kalaupapa.
The pope announced nine other canonizations. Five of them will take place on April 26, and Damien’s and four others on Sunday, Oct. 11. Pope Benedict will preside at both ceremonies in St. Peter’s Square outside St. Peter’s Basilica.
To be canonized on April 26 are:
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Blessed Arcangelo Tadini, Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth.
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Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation.
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Blessed Nuno di Santa Maria Alvares Pereira, Portuguese religious of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
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Blessed Gertrude Comensoli (nee Caterina), Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
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Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart.
To be canonized with Blessed Damien on Oct. 11 are:
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Blessed Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, Polish former archbishop of Warsaw and founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary.
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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.
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Blessed Rafael Arnaiz Baron, Spanish oblate friar of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance
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Blessed Mary of the Cross Jugan (nee Jeanne), French virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
According to Randy King, president of Seawind Tours and Travel, who was in Rome earlier this month arranging the official canonization pilgrimage from Hawaii, people may sign up for the canonization tour at www. seawindtours.com/damien.