A relic of Blessed Marianne Cope, who served in Kalaupapa with Saint Damien, has arrived in the islands.
It will embark on a statewide tour before its final destination at the Catholic Cathedral in Honolulu.
In the realm of catholic saints and those in line to become one, a relic of their remains holds special significance.
"So that the people themselves can know more about her, can venerate her, can pray to her," said Sister Alicia Damien of the Order of St. Francis.
A relic, in this case bone fragments, of Blessed Marianne Cope was long awaited and joyously welcomed back hand carried by the head of the order of St. Francis sisters.
"It’s a personally humbling experience to have accompanied Marianne back to the islands," said Sister Patricia Burkhard of the Order of St. Francis.
Cope’s remains had been exhumed six years ago from Kalaupapa where she served the Hansen’s disease patients banished to the remote area of Molokai.
"I was privileged to accompany her remains in 2005 after the exhumation, so it’s sort of like completing the circle now," said Burkhard.
A completion in more ways than one. The relic will take its place near the relic of Saint Damien at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu
"Both of them in their own self giving way and their compassionate care reached out to what was then a very far away place," Burkhard said.
Damien was canonized a saint in 2009. Cope is on the same path, beatified in 2005 and carrying the title of blessed while a second miracle is vetted at the Vatican through medical and theologian staff before the Pope considers final approval.
"We have no idea, we don’t have a real time table, but we’re very optimistic that we have a strong case," Burkhard said. "We hope that it won’t be too far down the road."
Meanwhile the road for the relic will start at St. Francis Convent Chapel Thursday morning viewed by students and sisters of the order. Then, it’s on to topside Molokai Friday, Kalaupapa Saturday, Lanai Sunday, Lahaiana and Wailuku, Maui on Monday. It continues to Hilo Tuesday, Kamuela Wednesday, Kauai Thursday and finally to Honolulu for a liturgy at the cathedral the following Friday night.
"People can then pray to Marianne and also have a time to contemplate her life and think about her virtues and what she has done for the people of Hawaii," Burkhard said.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
