As you may know, I am on the Historical Commission for the Cause of Canonization of Servant of God Joseph Dutton who worked for 44 years on Molokai with Saints Damien and Marianne caring for the victims of leprosy. When such a commission closes its work, a meeting must be held in the diocese of the cause for canonization with all members present. This is required by the dicastery for the causes of saints to which we will send our report.
I leave tomorrow for Honolulu for several days of work with other members of the commission. I fly to Newark, spend the night and then take United’s 8:30 am nonstop flight to Honolulu – half way around the world from Rome – 12 time zones!
I doubt I’ll have time to post a blog, but you never know.! In any case, you might check my Facebook and Twitter/X pages.
POPE TO DONATE GOLDEN ROSE TO ANCIENT ROMAN ICON OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Pope Francis will venerate Our Lady with a Golden Rose for the Marian icon of the Salus Populi Romani in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
He will travel to the Basilica on 8 December to accomplish this historic gesture which has not been performed in 400 years.
In the afternoon, as is traditional, the Pope will perform an Act of Veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary before the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s central Piazza di Spagna.
Just ahead of that visit, he will stop at the papal basilica of St. Mary Major with his gift for Our Lady.
An ancient gift
The Golden Rose has ancient roots, symbolising the papal blessing, and the tradition of this gift dates back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, it has been given to monasteries, shrines, sovereigns, and prominent personalities in recognition of their commitment to faith and the common good.
As explained by a statement issued by the Basilica, with the gift of the Rose to the Salus Populi Romani, “Pope Francis highlights the spiritual importance and profound significance that this icon holds in the life of the Catholic Church, as it is also the oldest Marian shrine in the West dedicated to the Mother of God.”
FYI: Here is a great piece from the University of Dayton on the fascinating history of the Golden Rose, : https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/g/golden-rose.php
Joan's Rome 