With the canonization this weekend of Pope John Paul II, parishoners of St. Athanasius Church in Evanston will be the proud owners of a chasuble worn by a saint.
It seems that a few years ago, a parishoner donated to the church a chasuble worn by Pope John II when he visited Poland in 1997.
It even comes with a letter of authentication from the bishop’s office in Poland that says the chasuble was woven by hand by the Franciscan Sisters in 1997 and given to the Pope during his pilgrimage to Poland in 1997.
It further states that the white and silver vestment, decorated with stripes of blue lilies, was actually used by the Holy Father during his visit to Poland.
A chasuble is the outer most garment worn by a priest to celebrate the mass.
Pope John Paul II will be canonized Sunday, along with Pope John XXIII at ceremonies in Rome.
The chasuble worn by the new Saint John Paul II is on display at the church, located on Lincoln Street at Ashland Avenue in north Evanston.
Photo courtesy of St. Athanasius Parish.
