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
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