Two popes to be canonized April 27

On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, Pope Francis will recognize the sainthood of two of his predecessors -- John XXIII and John Paul II -- in a canonization ceremony.

Pope John XXII (left) and Pope John Paul II will be canonized April 27.

Canonization, according the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, is "the formal process by which the Church declares a person to be a saint and worthy of veneration universally."
Catholic News Service reported that Pope Francis had been considering Dec. 8, 2013, but was concerned about the possibility that icy roads could have made it difficult for Polish pilgrims traveling by bus to Rome for the ceremony.
The other option, he said, was Divine Mercy Sunday, a celebration instituted worldwide by Pope John Paul.
Reporters on the plane taking the pope to Brazil for World Youth Day last July asked him to describe the two late popes.
Pope Francis said Blessed John was "a bit of the 'country priest,' a priest who loves each of the faithful and knows how to care for them; he did this as a bishop and as a nuncio."
He was holy, patient, had a good sense of humor and, especially by calling the Second Vatican Council, was a man of courage, Pope Francis said. "He was a man who let himself be guided by the Lord."
As for Blessed John Paul, Pope Francis told the reporters on the plane, "I think of him as 'the great missionary of the church," because he was "a man who proclaimed the Gospel everywhere."
Look for coverage of the Rockford Diocesan pilgrimage to the canonization, here, in April.
You'll also be able to follow us on Facebook at The Observer Catholic Newspaper.

--Sharon Boehlefeld 

(CNS photos)

Spanish Missions - San Antonio, Texas

Destination: There are plenty of reasons to visit San Antonio,
Mass times vary at the missions. For details, check http://oldspanishmissions.org and click on Mass Schedule at the Missions.
The map (left) is available online at  http://oldspanishmissions.org. The missions are Mission San Jose (top) and Mission Concepcion (below).
Why to go: The history of the Catholic faith in the Americas is closely tied to the history of Spanish missions, including the five in San Antonio. In January,  the U.S. nominated the missions for World Heritage site status. Four of them are part of  the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, through a partnership with the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Alamo, called “The Shrine of Texas Liberty,” is operated separately as a state historical site. According to the National Park Service, Mission Concepcion marked the 250th anniversary of its dedication in 2005 and is the only one of the five missions that has its original roof and walls intact, so its interior frescoes retain remnants of their original colors.
Texas. Even the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has selected it for meetings. But a key reason is to see the missions there — and we don’t mean the minor league baseball team (although they might be worth a visit, too). We mean the Spanish missions of San Antonio — San Jose, Concepcion, San Juan, Espada and San Antonio de Valero, which you probably know as the Alamo.
The park service recommends setting aside two to four hours for the free guided tours, movies, and demonstrations at the missions.
Hours: The four NPS shrines  are open 9 a.m.-5 pm. daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Jan. 1.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely.
Info: Address: Old Spanish Missions, Inc., P.O. Box 7804, San Antonio, TX 78207-0804 Phone: 210/357-5601. Web: http://oldspanishmissions.org or http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

We're going to Rome!

(CNS photo/Paul Haring)

The Observer's features and multimedia editor Sharon Boehlefeld will be accompanying Msgr. Gerald Kobbeman and other pilgrims on the Rockford Diocese's official pilgrimage to Italy this April for the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John-Paul II.
Watch here starting April 23 as she reports from the trip.

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation - Carey, Ohio

(Photos/ www.olcshrine.com)

Destination: For 100 years, the Conventual Franciscan Friars have served this church in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. Today’s church sits across the street from the original building.
Mass times vary at the Basilica Church. From Nov. 1 through Palm Sunday, Sunday Masses are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. From Easter through Oct. 31, Sunday Masses are at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. Year-round, Masses are at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. weekdays.
Why to go: Pilgrims have traveled to the basilica and shrine since 1875. Devotion to Mary as Our Lady of Consolation goes back to the second century. The shrine website says, “In 1652, the pope fostered devotion to Our Lady under this title by establishing a confraternity. The devotion spread to the United States, and the first shrine to Our Lady of Consolation was built in Carey, Ohio.” The church commissioned a replica of a statue of Our Lady from Luxembourg, which arrived in 1875. In addition to the basilica, there is also a park where pilgrims may stroll, sit and pray.
Amenities: The shrine includes both a gift shop and a retreat house. Hours of the shop are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The shop is also open 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, although it closes during 2:30 p.m. devotions. It also closes from noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome to visit. The retreat house even offers retreats for teens.
Info: Address: Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, 315 Clay St., Carey, OH 43316. Phone: 419/396-7107. Web: www.olcshrine.com

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo - Carmel, California

(Photos/www.carmelmission.org)

Destination: In California, following the trail of Blessed Junipero Serra, leads travelers to the many missions he founded. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo is one of those missions.
Masses are offered in the Basilica Church at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30, 9:15, 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Weekday Masses are in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7 a.m., 12  noon and 5:30 p.m.
Why to go: The Carmel mission is special, in part, because among the history and relics in its five museums is the cell in which Father Serra died. The Basilica Church at the mission is also a registered National Historic Landmark. The museums on the grounds include The Harry Downie Museum, which tells the story of the church restoration and Downie’s role in it; the Munras Family Heritage Museum, which displays keepsakes of an important Monterey family; the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery, where the Serra Memorial Cenotaph is housed; the Convento Museum, which is where Father Serra died. In the basilica, there are dislays of Spanish Colonial liturgial art and artifacts.
Amenities: A museum store offers a variety of religious items.
Admission: Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mission is closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children over 7, free  for children under 6.
(Grand) Kid friendly: This is a working parish so children are more than welcome, but should be considerate of students at the parish school.
Info: Address: Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road Carmel, California 93923 Phone: 831/624-1271 Web: www.carmelmission.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Virtual Catacombs Tour - Google Maps

(CNS photos)

Destination: You have to travel no further than your computer for a tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla and of Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, both located in Rome. A collaboration between Google, the Vatican and private owners of the Ipogeo site has resulted in a virtual tour of the catacombs you can take from your home.
Why to go: Nearly 8 miles of tunnels are part of the tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla, and the catacombs of the Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, located in southeast Rome are privately owned and not open to the public, so the virtual mode is the only way to visit them.
The map (left) shows part of what you might see on Google Maps when you start the tour. The inset photo shows an image that will appear on your computer, use the large arrow at the bottom to navigate around the page. The image (right) is another view of the catacombs.
How to go:  Type the name of either catacomb into your favorite search engine or directly into Google Maps. You should see options similar to the one  in the large image above. Click on See inside to begin your tour.
You’ll need to click and hold your mouse on the screen to navigate around the rooms and tunnels. An arrow will appear on your screen (see inset above) when you can move into another room. You’ll need to release your mouse to click on the arrow, then wait for the image to focus again before clicking and holding your mouse again to “turn around” in the room or hallway.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you feel at all intimidated by the virtual tour process, invite the grandkids in to help you.
Info: https://www.google.com/maps

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Blessed John Paul II Relic - Peoria, Illinois

(Photos provided)

Destination: A first class relic of Blessed John Paul II is arriving in the Diocese of Peoria soon for a short visit. You’ll only have two chances to see the relic, Nov. 18 and 19.
Why to go:  The relic — a vial of Blessed John Paul II’s blood encased in a golden book of the Gospels  — is being brought to Peoria by the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It is “the official relic used in advancing his cause for canonization,” according to Bishop of Peoria Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in a letter to Bishop David J. Malloy.
The Diocese of Peoria is one of just three dioceses to host the relic; the other two are in Florida.
“Our celebration with his relic not only honors the memory of this great man,” Bishop Jenky says, “but also prepares our local church to celebrate his future canonization.”
The canonization of Blessed John Paul II, along with Blessed John XXIII, is set for April 27, 2014, at the Vatican.
Photos show the Cathedral of the immaculate Conception in Peoria (above) and the John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal (below).
Visit details:  Nov. 18, 2013 — A Votive Mass, during which the relic will be displayed, will be offered at the cathedral at 7:15 p.m. After the Mass, you will have an opportunity to individually venerate the relic. Holy cards with Blessed John Paul II’s image will be given out to be touched to the relic, thus creating third class relics.
 Nov. 19, 2013 — Mother Adela Galindo, foundress and superior of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will travel with the relic to the ISU Newman Center and will speak to the students at 6:30 p.m. A rosary is planned, with refreshments to follow.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you can bring children or grandchildren, it will be a rare opportunity to learn about relics of the saints.
Info: Address: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 607 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 Phone: 309/682-5823 Web: http://www.cdop.org/pages/ACathedral.aspx
Address: John Paul II Catholic Newman Center: 501 S. Main St., Normal, IL 61761 Phone: 309/452-5046 Web: http://www.isucatholic.org/blessed-john-paul-ii-relics.html

- Compiled by Amanda Hudson
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org