What's New

What's New

February 2007

Vince Salva
Vince Sava, Forensic Expert

VINCE SAVA EXHUMATION LEADER AND BLESSED MARIANNE

To the Sisters of Saint Francis:

"Thank you for your reply and your continued confidence in me. I think it is best that I follow your lead when it comes to the report, artifacts, and anything else related to the exhumation. Anytime I am contacted and asked to provide information, I will certainly always check with the Order."

Vince Sava

The excavation/exhumation took place in January 2005, several months before Mother's beatification. Two years later, near mid-January 2007, Vince presented a paper entitled Leprosy, Saints and Forensic Anthropology in the Hawaiian Islands: The Exhumation and Identification of the Remains of Blessed Marianne Cope. He had been requested to give a lecture at the 2007 Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology in Williamsburg, Virginia, “on the logistical and support problems encountered in the digging the remote site on Kalaupapa." Vince felt strongly that his lecture "will give us an opportunity to spread the word some more about Mother Marianne." More lectures will be forthcoming.

Because of his vast experience and knowledge, we knew from the beginning the Cause to be especially blessed with his participation. The respect due and care of Mother Marianne's remains and relics was a concern. Because of the large time lapse since Mother's burial, the fact that there was no embalming done and only a readily deteriorating casket material available at Kalaupapa assured us that the exhumation would not be an ordinary excavation.

KNOWING THE FACTS: OUR AGREEMENT

An official agreement regarding the exhumation work was made in January 2005 between Kalaupapa National Historical Park, National Park Service, Department of Interior AND the Order of the Sisters of Saint Francis, (Syracuse, New York). Those in attendance in the acceptance of the agreement were the National Park representative, the two head administrators of our Franciscan Sisters and the exhumation team leader.

The stipulation in the agreement relevant to this writeup states that the Order had to ensure that within a specified time copies of the documents of excavation/exhumation process including a text and photographs be provided to the NHP and the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Officer. It goes on to specify that expectations to provide do not include "those components, text and photographs identified by the Order as holding sacred, religious value and thus deemed confidential in nature."

Our sisters already had made the decision to refrain from publishing pictures of Blessed Marianne's remains out of reverence for her and respect for her remains. Therefore, these photos and texts referred to above would not be made available in any materials which may at some time be shared with the public.

We have been asked after the time of the agreement if drawings of confidential photos could be used on occasion. The answer is negative being that it would make little difference to the point being made of reverence and of respectful privacy.

SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

The good news is that Vince has stated that the photos he possesses of relics found in the grave and his description of the excavation are sufficient exhibits for the purposes of his talks, now and in the future. We thank him for his loyalty to our 2005 exhumation agreement and for his interest in the Cause progression.

We are so pleased to share that the National Parks Service at Kalaupapa has been especially cognizant of our agreement. At one time its representative notified us that it had come to their attention some confidential texts and photos were in a plan being made available to visitors. Because of their alertness and helpfulness, this arrangement was changed and our agreement was respected.

VIBRANT IMAGE SHOULD BE PROJECTED

It was determined by the Sisters of Saint Francis that devotees strive to stress the living vibrant image of Blessed Marianne and project her great life and virtue to the public. Images of her remains obviously do not serve this purpose.

We also know that Mother Marianne was a private person. While it is true that the examination of Mother's remains does further confirm her depth of suffering from lack of proper dental and medical care attention, due to her living at remote Kalaupapa for so many years, the sharing of photos of her remains for articles and discussions are not required to name these effects.

WHAT WE CAN DO: PHOTOS WE CAN SHARE OF RELICS

It seems a good time to share photos once again of relics collected at the time of the exhumation. These relics have been treated scientifically for their preservation since the time of their collection. On special occasions these same relics have been placed in the sanctuary of a church during a celebration. Sr. Grace Anne, a number of times, has carried them with her for display in talks given for special occasions such as Mother's feast day celebration. ..... Thank you, sml

Blessed Marianne Relics

1. Display of artifacts found in Blessed Marianne's grave with the relic of Blessed Marianne Cope (fragment of her bone) presented to Pope Benedict on May 15, 2005 at a Papal Audience.

2. Medal of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Blessed Damien's Religious Community) worn by Blessed Marianne on her rosary.

3. Fragments from Blessed Marianne's large rosary worn as part of the traditional habit of the Sisters of St. Francis.

4. Large crucifix from the rosary worn by Blessed Marianne Cope as part of her habit.

5. Blessed Marianne's Profession Crucifix, received when she made her vows as a Sister of St. Francis.

6. Silver Cross placed on Blessed Marianne's coffin by a patient at her burial