What's New

Special Reliquary Edition

January 2009

 

Reliquary Containing Remains of

Blessed Marianne Cope

Explanation: The research for a fitting reliquary (vessel to hold sacred remains or objects) was begun shortly after the exhumation of Blessed Marianne's remains returned to her religious home in Syracuse, NY. Many different ones were looked at, always conscious that it needed to be simple, symbolic of her life and work, and large enough to hold the zinc container in which her bones were sealed. This zinc container was required by the Church in order to protect the integrity of her remains.

The search for suitable wood began by discussing our need with John Marcellus, of the former Marcellus Casket Company. As we were exploring various options, Sister Mary Laurence Hanley approached John Green of Ter-el Company on Court Street, and who previously had done work for John Marcellus. He was asked for the name of someone who could create a fitting container for the cross made from the roots of a tree planted by Blessed Marianne in Kalaupapa. He recommended Eugene Cahalan of Greenleaf Cabinet Makers. Gene Cahalen made the beautiful mahogany box on display in the Mother Marianne Museum.

Sister Patricia Burkard and Sister Grace Anne Dillenschneider admired his craftsmanship and Gene Cahalan was contacted. Meetings were held with him, Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, Sister Patricia Burkard and Sister Grace Anne Dillenschneider. The work began. The Memphis Hardwood Lumber Company of Memphis, NY procured the ribbon mahogany used for the reliquary itself. A wood carver in Hawaii, Douglas Williams, was contacted to carve the monument on Blessed Marianne's grave surrounded by meile leaves, in koa wood, a wood native to Hawaii.

Blessed Marianne was a lover of beauty and made parts of Kalaupapa a virtual garden. When asked to assist in the final design of the reliquary, Sister Rose Raymond Wagner suggested the plumeria flower as a decorative accent on the reliquary. Steven Hale, a wood carver from Baldwinsville was contracted to carve the plumeria flowers. While not native to Hawaii, the plumeria flower, a yellow one, was brought to Hawaii in 1860 by Dr. Wilhelm Hillebrand from Germany, Blessed Marianne's place of birth. He came to Hawaii to try to help stop the spread of Hansen's disease (leprosy) among the people of Hawaii. By coincidence, 1860 was the year the former Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse was founded. Blessed Marianne entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1862. The Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse are now part of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.

 

Close up of Koa Plaque on Reliquary taken before its placement. (Photo on left) St. Francis Embracing the Crucified Christ Blessed Marianne's favorite image ~ chosen by leprosy patients for her memorial at Molokai (photo on right).     Photo of plaque by Sister Alicia Lau

*Photo of reliquary taken by Darlene Yamrose, Office Assistant, Cause of Blessed Marianne Cope

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