Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will bless the Saint Leonie Aviat Statue and celebrate Mass at Saint Bernadette Parish in Delaware County on

Saturday, May 14, 2011
4:30 p.m.
1035 Turner Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026

The recently completed full size bronze statue was commissioned by the parish commemorating the miracle that took place nearly 20 years ago, when a then young parishioner, Bernadette McKenzie, and student of Saint Bernadette Parish School was cured of a debilitating spinal condition through Mother Aviat's intercession.

Saint Bernadette Parish School was administered by the Oblate Sister of Saint Francis de Sales, the order founded by Mother Aviat. When Bernadette became ill, the Oblate Sisters began a Novena to Mother Aviat praying for a cure for Bernadette. On the third day of the novena, Bernadette began to feel better. After questioning by the medical, canonical and theological experts, Pope John Paul II decreed that Bernadette's healing was attributed to the intercession of Mother Aviat. The decree was the last major step needed for her canonization. Mother Aviat became Saint Leonie Aviat on November 25, 2001 in a ceremony in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

For more information about the Saint Leonie Aviat Statue please contact Father John Kelly, Pastor of Saint Bernadette Parish at 610-789-7676. To view images of the Saint Leonie Statue please visit http://www.st-bernadette.org/St_Leonie_Aviat.asp.

Information on the Artist:
Artist Olga Nielsen born in Russia and studied at the Moscow School of Fine Arts and the Moscow Textile Institute, Department of Applied Arts and Design. Ms. Nielsen now resides in Delaware and was commissioned to create the life-size bronze statue.

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Contact
Meredith V. Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747