By Sister Patricia Burkard, OSF | Special to the Herald

‘The people were happy to see us’
These are excerpts from the daily e-mail postings of Sister Patricia Burkard, general minister of the Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, to her religious community as she took the relic of Blessed Marianne to parishes around the state.

May 5

Our arrival (to Honolulu) was on time and when I came into the baggage area, Sisters Davilyn, Alicia Damien, Rose Fatima, Francis Regis and Mary Edward were there to greet us along with a camera crew and reporter from one of the local TV channels. They were very interested in the relic and the cause.

Once we arrived back at the regional house I was able to take the relic to Sister Marion Kikukawa who was pleased to see it and venerate it. This was immediately followed by the gathering of the sisters in the chapel.

A second TV channel sent out a photographer and he did get some of the sisters venerating the relic. His crew is returning tomorrow morning to do a live early morning TV report from the chapel.

Beginning at 8:30 until 2:30, the students from St. Francis School will come over to the convent chapel to view the relic. This will introduce our younger generation to Blessed Marianne.

May 8

It is now Sunday afternoon here and we recently arrived on the island of Lanai for a 2 p.m. Mass and then veneration of the relic.

We left Kalaupapa at 9:30 this morning after a wonderful day there on Saturday. We arrived Friday night at topside Molokai after a two-hour delay in leaving Honolulu. We went straight to the church for a lovely Vesper service. The people were so warm and happy to have us. Robert Mondoy and Calvin Liu, two wonderful musicians from the Honolulu diocese, were the prayer leaders.

Saturday morning we took a very brief plane ride from topside Molokai (7 minutes) and arrived at Kalaupapa. We then gathered at St. Francis Church for Mass and a short time of veneration. After a delicious lunch we formed a procession and walked with the relic to Marianne’s grave site. From there we processed to St. Elizabeth Chapel connected to Bishop Home where veneration continued until 5 when we closed with a Vesper Service.

After a full day, Sisters Alicia Damien, Davilyn, Francis Regis and myself were treated to a lovely spaghetti dinner by Sister Theresa Chow and Sister Rose Annette Ahuna complete with salad fixings from Sister Theresa’s garden. It was so good to have time together as sisters.

The weather has been rainy and windy but we made our way none-the-less.

May 9

Just when I thought the days could not get better we began Monday with breakfast with the pastor and three church ladies on Lanai. As we said our goodbyes I was deeply touched by the pastor handing me an envelope and telling me it was the collection from the special Mass yesterday and a gift to the Blessed Marianne Cause. It is a small poor parish so I know it was a sacrifice to do this.

After a ride through one of the major hotels on Lanai we arrived at the harbor to board the ferry for Maui. Our ferry ride was most enjoyable, about 45 minutes. Once again we were greeted upon arrival by such lovely people. We had the opportunity after arriving in Lahaina to visit the grave of (Franciscan) Sister Ann Gertrude Vierra and leave a lei and say a prayer.

During the afternoon we had a few hours to ourselves before setting up the relic for the 6:30 p.m. Mass at Christ the King Church. People started coming about 5:30 and by Mass time there were over 250 people.

We heard so many stories about people’s devotion to Blessed Marianne and the connection to her by the people in Maui. She established the first hospital on Maui two months after arriving in Honolulu and it still exists as their medical center so they feel a certain connection to her.

People stayed around until 9 p.m. It truly was a wonderful occasion.

May 10

Our joy continued to increase as we arrived in Hilo on the Big Island. Our first stop was at St. Joseph’s. The students were well prepared by their teachers and I had the opportunity to give a short talk to each group on Blessed Marianne’s life and work.

We also learned that each day the students pray for Sister Marion Kikukawa’s healing and there is a large photograph of her in the school chapel.

When our time ended at the school we immediately went to St. Joseph’s Church to prepare the relic for veneration at the 12:15 Mass which was attended by over 100 persons.

Veneration continued throughout the afternoon.

Today was the feast of St. Damien so his life and work were also celebrated. There was a brisk sale of the books on Blessed Marianne’ life. People are looking for other items related to her.

After a few hours of rest we were back at the church for the 7 p.m. evening Mass. Priests from neighboring parishes concelebrated. The evening ended with a pot luck supper.

Because our sisters have had a long relationship with St. Joseph’s, the people were so happy to see us and asked about sisters they know and remembered.

May 11

Wednesday evening found us on the west side of the Big Island at Annunciation Parish in Kamuela.

Father Bob (Schwarzhaupt) the pastor was a most gracious host. The church is large and was almost full as Mass began. I would guess about 200 people.

Father Bob interspersed different thoughts about Blessed Marianne at various parts of the Mass. I gave the homily. At the general intercessions he asked those present to think of special people they wanted to remember and, after a moment of quiet, finished the prayer asking Blessed Marianne’s intercession.

They hosted what they called a light supper but which turned out to be a wonderful feast of sandwiches, special soups and sumptuous desserts. These gatherings were great opportunities to meet the people and talk with them.

Each time there were some who knew Sister Francis Regis and Sister Florence and others who made themselves known as relatives of our sisters or were taught by our sisters.

May 12

With our visit to Immaculate Conception Church in Lihue on the Island of Kauai our tour of the islands came to an end. At Immaculate Conception Church, Sister Florence Remata has gathered and guided a group of Franciscan Associates. I had met them in years past when I came for their commitment ceremony and it was very nice to reconnect with them.

Along with the main celebrant there were two seminarians from the parish who were home for the occasion. It was very nice to see them involved in the Mass honoring Blessed Marianne as I am always looking to share her story with the “next generation.” Again there was a large crowd with some people coming from other parts of the Island of Kauai. That itself was a testimony to their devotion to Blessed Marianne as it has been raining a lot.

May 13

We are ending the eve of the sixth anniversary of Blessed Marianne’s beatification on a very high note having just returned from the celebration at the cathedral at which her relic was received by Bishop Silva and enshrined at the cathedral.

The music was superb and the cathedral choir added so much to the celebration.

The joy and excitement of tonight were the perfect ending to this incredible week. While it was a packed schedule I did have time to think about what a treasure we as a community have in Blessed Marianne. She leaves a wonderful legacy of compassionate care to the most neglected of God’s people and an example for us in how to live out our vocational call.

Peace and all good!