Places of Pilgrimage - Germany & NY
Quotes of Blessed Marianne Cope
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May 2008
BLESSED MARIANNE SHRINE WELCOMES NEWLYWEDS
 The bride and groom stand near the remains of Blessed Marianne as members of the wedding party sign the guest book. |
 The Mr. and Mrs. Chieh greet Sister Mary Laurence, the Director of the Mother Marianne Cause Office. |
 Having a discussion with Sister Eleanor Grace, the shrine head receptionist. |
On Saturday afternoon, April 26th, as limousines with the newlyweds and their wedding party came up Court Street from St. Daniel's Church and approached the Shrine on the Motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse, Sr. Eleanor Grace Spiridilozzi, head receptionist, remarked smilingly" This is a first!." And indeed it was. Each week on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Sister Eleanor Grace and volunteer helpers welcome some of the same faithful devotees, young and old, to the Shrine along with new ones. Never before had there been a wedding party.
The newly married couple, Margaret Driscoll, and Ben Chieh, after the wedding ceremony, had come for a special act of devotion to Mother Marianne and in remembrance/petition for some of those who need prayers who could not attend the wedding.
As the wedding party went to pray near Mother's earthly remains, we hear they asked in particular for her heavenly intercession for their friend Chris Martin, mother of four, whose serious illness has returned. It was touching to have the new bridegroom approach us to make sure we knew his mother's name, Mary Chieh, because he wanted to ask us to pray for her too.
To witness these people of faith in action was good for us all. We wish them the best and may we say a prayer that the response to their prayers be the ones most desirable. Mother Marianne must have been most pleased.
DAMIEN CAUSE ADVANCES
The following links contain current news on the canonization process of Blessed Father Damien De Veuster:
The Vatican affirms miraculous healing attributed to Blessed Father Damien
Vatican theologians see miracle in Hawaiian woman's cancer cure