Vatican confirms May 14 for beatification of Hawaiian nun

Syracuse, N.Y., May 4, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Religious sisters across the Hawaiian islands are abuzz with excitement following the confirmation by the Diocese of Syracuse, NY that Kalaupapa missionary Mother Marianne Cope would be beatified at the Vatican on May 14^th.

The Vatican rescheduled the ceremony to be held one day earlier than originally planned before the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

Along with Mother Marianne, Spanish Sister Florentina Nicol Goni, known as Mother Ascension del Corazon de Jesus, and founder of the religious order, Dominican Missionaries of the Rosary, will also be beatified.

18 nuns and 65 lay people from Hawaii are scheduled to travel to Rome to witness the historic event.

Pope Benedict will not perform the beatifications, as was done by John Paul II.  Instead, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes will oversee the process.