SAINT Marie Eugenie in Philadelphia!

The crowd broke out in applause as Pope Benedict's decree promulgating the canonization of Blessed Marie Eugenie was read. Philadelphia was acclaiming one of the Church's newest saints!

In a beautiful Mass at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, many friends and associates of the Assumption gathered to give thanks for the gift of Marie Eugenie's canonization. Alumnae/i of Assumption schools from Philadelphia, the Philippines, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador and France were well-represented, a number of them traveling great distances to be with us. Choirs from the parishes of St. Francis de Sales and St. Stanislaus, and the FIAT Filipino Apostolate Choir sang.

Principal celebrant and homilist was Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia. His homily invited all to listen deeply to our new saint.

The Mass of Thanksgiving was preceded by an Introduction to Marie Eugenie and was followed by a reception at the Chancery.

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The Assumption Sisters first arrived in Philadelphia in 1919 at the invitation of Cardinal Dennis Dougherty. Today the Sisters live and work at St. Francis de Sales parish in West Philadelphia and St. Stanislaus parish in Lansdale.