Lorain church plans pilgrimage to Canton

St. Anthony’s Church in Lorain to go to home of Rhoda Wise in Canton, who received miracles from Christ

Members of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Lorain are welcoming folks to join a pilgrimage, or religious journey, July 7 to the Canton hometown of Rhoda Wise.

Wise, who was known as a mystic and stigmatist, died July 7, 1948.

A stigmatist is someone whose body is marked by wounds resembling those of the crucified Christ.

Wise’s parish, St. Peter in Canton, is inviting guests to be part of the special mass marking the 70th anniversary of her death.

St. Anthony’s is providing a ride to the mass as well as time to pray and visit Wise’s home and burial site.

Dr. Hilaire Tavenner, a parishioner and committee member of St. Anthony’s, said Wise’s life will be remembered during the mass.

The Acts of the Case of Rhoda Wise, materials that have been gathered as part of the efforts to have Wise canonized a saint, will be blessed as well.

Those materials then will be sent to Vatican City for further investigation.

In 2016, the Diocese of Youngstown proclaimed Wise a Servant of God, the term designates an individual who is being investigated by the Church for possible canonization as a saint

Early in her life, Wise was a Protestant. She became Catholic after befriending a nun while she was ill.

That influenced Wise’s strong interest in St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as The Little Flower.

Tavenner said that Wise became so devoted, that she said Jesus and St. Therese appeared to her while she was in the hospital.

After these visits, Wise seemed to be cured, Tavenner said.

Following her cure, she suffered the stigmata regularly and the appearances continued as well.

She became well known in Canton and nationally, Tavenner said.

After Wise’s death, her family kept the home open so others could visit.

Later, they donated the house to Mother Angelica and the Eternal Word Television Network; it later became the Rhoda Wise Shrine.

Tavenner said she’s excited to be part of the group from Lorain traveling to Canton.

She said she is happy that someone who is from Ohio is being recognized after 70 years.

“Rhoda is a feather in our cap,” Tavenner said. “(We are grateful) that God gave this beautiful soul to us.”

Tavenner said the trip holds great importance to her and it is very educational.

“I want people to know about these saints, because they put God first,” she said. “When you look at her life, she put His life before her own; not that she found it easy.

“She had the faith of a child and loved Him. We need that inspiration.”

To join the pilgrimage, St. Anthony church encourages those interested to call 440-288-6628 as soon as possible.

Seats are $20 and are limited.

The bus will leave at 8 a.m. and return about 6 p.m.