Local pilgrims attend Vatican canonization in Rome

What is the experience of the canonization of a saint all about? We know that it is a very special occasion in the Catholic Church and that it happens infrequently. But what is it like to be there and how can you describe the atmosphere? Since most have never participated in a momentous event such as this, many had to experience it for themselves.
           
Fifty members of the Guanellian Family from Michigan and Pennsylvania traveled to Rome to support the canonization of St. Louis Guanella, the founder of the Servants of Charity and the inspiration for the work that they do in caring for the poor, the marginalized and persons with disabilities. The group from Michigan included 35 people from the Lansing Diocese and, of those, 30 were from St. Mary Parish in Chelsea.
           
The canonization took place on Oct. 23, and unified the worldwide Guanellian Family present at St. Peters Square. Of the 20,000 people who were there on Sunday morning, 12,000 were from the Guanellian Family to honor their new saint.
           
The canonization weekend included a series of events that took place over a four day period that began on Oct. 21 and ended Oct. 24. The events unfolded in the following way:

Outdoor evening concert at St. Joseph
at Trionfale in Rome – Oct. 21

The open air concert was a wonderful event under the stars and lights of Rome as 500 people attended the concert featuring six different musical acts; all performing original Christian Rock music dedicated to the life of Father Louis Guanella.

Prayer vigil at St. Paul Outside the Walls – Oct. 22

The prayer vigil at St. Paul Outside the Walls was a beautiful service performed in an ancient basilica constructed by Emperor Constantine, 384-395, and enhanced throughout the centuries. The group arrived in late afternoon and remained as night descended. The service, prayers and music were performed in many different languages and at the end of the ceremony a line of flag bearers marched to the front carrying the flags of the 22 different countries where the Guanellian Family now reside – 5,000 Guanellians were present at the vigil.

The canonization of St. Louis Guanella,
St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican – Oct. 23

The canonization was the highlight of the weekend. Led by Pope Benedict XVI and 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. Joseph Yekulis of Chelsea was among several readers from different countries given the honor of performing a reading during the introductory ceremonies. At 10 a.m. the Holy Father began the canonization ceremony with trumpets sounding and the Swiss Guards clamoring to their posts. The pageantry was beautiful as each step of the canonization process was completed.
           
Especially significant for the United States was the participation of William Glisson of Springfield, Pa., and Father. Peter Di Tullio, SdC. of East Providence, RI, during the ceremonies. Glisson was the recipient of the miracle celebrated through the intercession of Father Guanella and was one of three members of the laity who carried the reliquaries to the altar bearing the bone fragments of each saint. Finally, after the Litany of Saints, the pope read the Formula for Canonization and declared Father. Luigi Guanella, Father Guido Maria Conforti and Sister Bonifacia Rodriquez De Castro were the newest saints of the Catholic Church. Mass for 20,000 people followed the canonization ceremonies and the Guanellian Family left with a blessing from the Holy Father.

Thanksgiving Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone – Oct. 24

The following day, the Guanellian Family came together one final time to celebrate Mass with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of state of the Vatican. It was a colorful site to behold, as more than 100 priests, bishops and cardinals entered St. Peter’s Basilica for this special event that was shared with 12,000 members of the Guanellian Family. The laity was colorfully dressed, as the Chilean’s were dressed in blue, the Brazilians in red and members of the Divine Providence Province (USA) wore their white hats and yellow scarves. All of our Servants of Charity and local priests who came sat proudly near the altar and Cardinal Bertone welcomed everyone to St. Peter’s Basilica on behalf of the Holy Father. This brought the official ceremonies to an end.