Denver, Colo., Jun 12, 2017 / 16:01 pm
In what was a historic first for the Archdiocese of Denver, the exhumed remains of a potential saint were laid to rest at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception June 7.
The canonization process for the Servant of God Julia Greeley was opened Dec. 18, and as part of the process, her remains were exhumed from Mt. Olivet Cemetery May 26-31. After careful examination by an anthropologist, her remains were transferred to the cathedral, where they will remain permanently.
A transfer ceremony, presided over by Bishop Jorge H. Rodriguez, was held to honor the laywoman, who is the first person to be buried at the cathedral. The ceremony took place on the 99th anniversary of Greeley's death.
"[Julia Greeley] will be the first person buried in Denver's cathedral. Not a bishop, not a priest – a laywoman, a former slave. Isn't that something?" Bishop Rodriguez said to an applauding congregation.