Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Celebrate St. Damien with Fr. Damien(s)


When I was born in 1973, my mother and father chose the name “Damien” because they had read a newspaper article about a priest named Father Damien who went to Molokai in Hawaii (called the Sandwich Islands then), to give his life in service to lepers. Fr. Damien de Veuster eventually died of leprosy.

Fast forward 36 years, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will canonize Blessed Damien of Molokai and declare him a saint on October 11, 2009!

From October 8 to 15, 2009 Fr. Damien Cook, Pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Omaha, who was also named after Blessed Damien, and I, will be leading a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi.

At the same time, four others will be canonized, including Blessed Jeanne Jugan, whose second miracle happened right here in Omaha, Nebraska.

In addition to the canonization ceremony, we will also visit some tombs, including Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Agnes, St. Monica, St. Ignatius, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Francis of Assisi and Pope John Paul II. We will also visit some beautiful basilicas and churches along the way. If it works out, we will be part of a public audience with Pope Benedict.

The price of the pilgrimage is $2,600 per person, based on double room accommodations. The price includes round trip fair from Omaha to Rome, meals, sightseeing, admission fees and hotel accommodations.

Time is of the essence. Our pilgrimage will only have a maximum of 20 people. If you would like to join us, please prayerfully consider this and call me at 339-3285 x 106 by next Monday, July 13.

God bless,
Fr. Wee

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