Relics transferred to new shrine

BLESSED  After the beatification ceremony for Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich in Sacred Heart Basilica, Newark, on Oct. 4, 2014, some of those in attendance took the time to take a photo of a portrait of Blessed Miriam Teresa that was displayed near the altar.

CONVENT STATION  Sister Rosemary Moynihan, general superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, greeted the congregation assembled on July 1 in Holy Family Chapel here for the transfer of the relics of Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich. The relics were to be transferred from the crypt where they had been placed and sealed on May 9, 1979 to a new shrine being constructed in the chapel proper. The congregation present included Bishop Serratelli, Eparch Kurt Burnette of the Eparchy of Passaic, local clergy, Sisters of Charity, Seton Associates and members of the advisory board of the Blessed Miriam Teresa League.

The ceremony began with the singing of “All Hail Adored Trinity” in honor of the Blessed Trinity to whom Blessed Miriam Teresa had a lifelong devotion. Following was the prayer for her canonization. After the opening prayer Bishop Serratelli, Father Kevin Corcoran, the Bishop’s priests/secretary; Sister Rosemary, Sister Joan Repka, general secretary; Sister Noreen Neary; archivist, Sister Mary Canavan, vice-postulator of the Cause of Blessed Miriam Teresa; Stephen Priola, funeral director, and Nicholas Sisto, his assistant, proceeded to the crypt located in a vestibule of the chapel. The coffin containing a metal Ziegler box that held the remains of Blessed Miriam was opened and the remains viewed.

The coffin was moved to the chapel in front of the new shrine site. Dr. Amer Akmal, chair of the Department of Pathology at St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, and Dr. Mary Mazzarella, medical consultant of the Cause of Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, and director of the diocesan Respect Life Office, examined the bones while the congregation sang “Veni Sancte Spiritu.”

The physicians determined that the bones were essentially those that had been sealed in the coffin in 1979 though they had deteriorated considerably. Bishop Serratelli, Sister Rosemary, Sister Joan, Sister Noreen and Sister Mary also examined the bones and attested to their authenticity in a notarized statement. Following a reading of the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis declaring Sister Miriam Teresa as Blessed by Sister Maureen Dunne, general councilor a procession around the chapel took place with the coffin containing the relics so that all present might venerate them. Included in the procession were Bishop Serratelli and Father Corcoran, Sister Rosemary and her Council and staff of the Blessed Miriam Teresa League with the funeral director and his assistant. During the procession a Litany to Blessed Miriam Teresa was led by Sister Elise Gittrich, general councilor, and responded to by all present. A hymn, “In Honor of Blessed Miriam Teresa,” composed by Sister Regina Bernard, was sung.

Upon returning to the transept in front of the new shrine, Sister Rosemary and Sister Marilyn Thie, assistant general superior, assisted by Dr. Akmal in transferring the bones from the Ziegler box to a tray designed to be placed within the new reliquary. The congregation accompanied the transfer by reciting the 139th Psalm. The bones were covered with a sheer white silk cloth and placed within the reliquary.

Sister Rosemary and members of her Council placed the cover on the reliquary while the congregation sang the “Magnificat.” The reliquary was then placed on a temporary base by the funeral home team and Father Corcoran.

Bishop Serratelli gave a short homily, speaking of the significance of the occasion. This was followed by the concluding hymn “Let Everything that Breathes Praise God” by Sister Kathleen Quigley.

The reliquary is a 42-inch by 18-inch octagonal wooden box with a glass containing strands of hair of Blessed Miriam Teresa, inserted in the front panel and L.E.D. lights around the base of the interior. This design allows for viewing of the remains by visitors to the shrine. (Across the cover of the reliquary are two strips in cruciform. One reads; March 26, 1901 Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich May 8, 1927. The other reads; Feb.11, 1925 Entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Beatified Oct. 4, 2014).

At this time the shrine is only partially complete. The Ziegler box containing any remnants of the bones as well as soil surrounding them has been resealed and will be placed under the base table for the reliquary. Two other Ziegler boxes which have been in the original crypt containing soil taken from the gravesite of Blessed Miriam Teresa will also form a part of the base of the new shrine which was designed by Willy Malarcher and executed under his direction. It is expected that the new shrine will be completed this summer. The transfer ceremony took place in order that the Ziegler boxes could be prepared for removal and placed at the base of the new shrine. The relics have been sealed in the reliquary under an acrylic cover and will not be disturbed. When all parts of the shrine have been completed the reliquary will be placed on the new base and suitably secured.

On Oct. 16, Bishop Serratelli will return to celebrate Mass and to bless and to dedicate the new shrine.