She was canonized during a ceremony at the Vatican that happened Saturday night Hawaii time.
Gina Mangieri and KHON photographer Tai Hiranaka were there and they show us some of the sights and sounds.
Hundreds of Hawaii pilgrims came thousands of miles for Saint Marianne’s canonization. And the last few steps were among the toughest. Just getting into St. Peters Square before dawn along with about 100,000 others was a feat of determination.
But the jam-packed crowd stayed in great spirits, and brought a spirit of home from Hawaii and as far away as the Philippines. Thousands of them had come to honor one of six others canonized along with Marianne.
Once inside, the nine Kalaupapa patients sat near the front of the crowd. Bishop Larry Silva joined other clergy to the left of Pope Benedict.
Then the canonization proceeded in Latin. The seven new saints were venerated. Relics of the saints were presented to the pope.
Mass followed, a sister of St. Francis was chosen to instruct the crowd in English
"It was wonderful, it was such a blessed day, and not to be too far from our Holy Father. It was a very great privilege and honor," said Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, Sisters of St. Francis.
During the pope’s homily he said this of Saint Marianne:
"She is a shining and energetic example of the best of the tradition of Catholic nursing sisters and of the spirit of her beloved St. Francis"
"I thought he nailed it, and I thought what a tradition we have, wait til I go back now and talk to the students and tell them what a legacy they have," said Sister Joan of Arc Souza, St. Francis School.
Later in the mass Kalaupapa patient Pauline Chow received communion from the pope.
"It’s a once in a moment thing, it was something very very special," said Pauline Chow, Kalapapa patient.
It’s the second canonization in three years for Hawaii, following St. Damien’s canonization in 2009.
"It’s wonderful that we actually recognize things," said D. Kalani Brady, patient’s doctor. "We recognize the order of services, we recognize places, and it’s a real blessing to be along on the pilgrimage."
"I think it was a little more subdued and prayerful and quiet, but really very much the same," said Bishop Larry Silva, Diocese of Honolulu. "There was still the same great spirit of joy that people felt, and fellowship with people from all over the world."
After the canonization things wound down quite a bit, as the group came here to the church of St. Paul at the three fountains. And tomorrow they’ll get up bright and early and start the long journey home to Hawaii in honor of Hawaii’s second saint, now Saint Marianne.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
