The diocesan phase of
the canonization cause of the French nun regarded by the church as the
founder of Mary's House at Ephesus in Turkey officially opened at Kansas
City's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Jan. 21.
The ceremony
initiating the sainthood cause for Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey
followed solemn vespers in honor of Mary.
Bishop Robert W. Finn of
Kansas City-St. Joseph presided, with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of
Kansas City, Kan.; retired Archbishop Giuseppe Bernardini of Izmir,
Turkey; and retired Bishop Raymond J. Boland of Kansas City-St. Joseph
also participating.
Mary's House, or "Meryem Ana Evi" in Turkish, is a
small stone home overlooking the bay at Ephesus, believed to be where
Mary lived with St. John after the death and resurrection of Jesus and
where she was assumed into heaven.
Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and
Benedict XVI have all visited and prayed at Mary's House, a place of
pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims.
In his homily during
vespers, Bishop Finn said Mary's House "is the place of prayer and
devotion to millions of children of Mary each year: Christians and
Muslims together.
They adorn its walkways with their petitions" to her
as the mother of God and the Lady of the Quran.
SIC: CNS/USA