Canonization of MOTHER marie eugenie

Final Reminders for U.S. Pilgrims, May 27, 2007

All roads lead to Rome for the Assumption family this week. Of the more than 6000 pilgrims making their way to St. Peter’s, 1500 will come from Spain, 1100 from France, another 1100 from the Philippines (including Risa Bondoc, the “miracle child” and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Philippine president who is an alumna of Assumption College, Manila), 600 from Central and South America, 400 each from the USA, Northern Europe and England, 100 from Japan, India, Vietnam and Thailand and pilgrims from Africa, the number of which is still undetermined because of visa issues.

Thousands more will be on pilgrimage in spirit, praying with the thousands gathered in Rome and giving thanks for the example of holiness given to us through Marie Eugenie. EWTN will be televising the canonization Mass, so please check your local schedules and cable channel guide for more information on this.

For those going to Rome, a few practical reminders:

Schedule

Have a copy of the schedule of activities for the canonization weekend with you at all times so you won’t miss anything! The schedule also tells you where the events will be held, so hang on to it throughout the weekend and refer to it often. We want to see each other at all of the events!

Pilgrim Kits

For pilgrims registered through the US Province, please check with your group leader (if you’re registered through the community of Worcester, Philadelphia, Lansdale or Chaparral) or your Chapter Head (if you’re a Filipina alumna registered through the Southern California, Washington D.C., New York or Vancouver Chapter). They will let you know how you can pick up your pilgrim kit.

The Vatican is releasing the ticket for the Canonization Mass at St. Peter’s Square very close to the canonization date, which makes it impossible to distribute the kits to the pilgrims earlier than late morning of June 1st. We are doing all that is possible to distribute the kits expeditiously, given this limitation. The group leaders and Chapter Heads have communicated with the pilgrims about the distribution process for the U.S. group.

Non-registered Pilgrims

For those pilgrims who weren’t able to register through an RA community or Alumnae Chapter before March 25th, the registration date set by the congregation’s canonization committee, pilgrim kits (with ticket) may be purchased at:

Istituto Maria Bambina
Via Paulo VI, 21
Rome

They will be available for purchase at 10 Euros each on June 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets

The pilgrim’s kit will contain the ticket to enter St. Peter’s Square on June 3rd for the canonization Mass. Vatican security is tight, and only persons with tickets will be allowed entry to the square.

There is no special section marked off for the Assumption, so be on the watch for the purple skirts of the Assumption Sisters and head there! Come early if you want good seats. It’s a good idea to bring a cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun…a generous dose of sunblock would be good too.

VERY IMPORTANT: The ticket for entrance to St. Peter’s Square will be needed again on the evening of June 3rd for entrance to Sala Nervi, where the Musical Tribute to Saint Marie Eugenie will be held. Again, since this is a Vatican building, security will be very tight. No ticket, no entry. Please hold on to your tickets from the morning.

Dress Code

There is a strict dress code for St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Women must cover their shoulders and knees and men must wear full length pants (women may wear pants). There is actually a fashion check-point and if you are not dressed accordingly, the Vatican staff will refuse entry. Please keep this in mind when planning your tour to the Vatican.

There isn’t any restriction on what colors one can wear.

This dress code applies to Vatican churches and museums. It doesn’t apply to when you’re outdoors or in buildings other than the churches and museums.

Canonization Souvenirs and Marie Eugenie Memorabilia

Canonization/Marie Eugenie souvenirs and memorabilia will be on sale at Istituto Maria Bambina, Via Paulo VI, 21, Rome.

Musical Tribute to Marie Eugenie

At the Musical Tribute to Marie Eugenie on the evening of June 3rd, each Province group will be called by name. When you enter Sala Nervi, look for the banner of the U.S. Province and go up to any one of the members of the Worcester group to collect your flag. Let’s all sit together, and when the name of the U.S. Province is called, wave your flag with all your might and let everyone know WE’RE THERE!!

A blessed and happy journeying to you all!

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Official Logo for Mother Marie Eugenie's Canonization

Pope Benedict XVI and the Basilica of St. Peter, Rome

Pope Paul VI proclaiming Mother Marie Eugenie blessed at Beatification: Rome 1975

Blessed Marie Eugenie's tomb in the chapel of the Mother House, Paris

US delegation banner for canonization

Wave your US delegation flag!