On Tuesday, Bishop Larry Silva will head to Rome as a special visitor to a papal consistory when the date of Father Damien's elevation to sainthood is expected to be announced that weekend.

Damien de Veuster was the priest who served the patients of Kalaupapa until he contracted Hansen's disease, then called leprosy, and died in 1889. Beatified in 1995, he is expected to be canonized in October.

The Rev. Alfred Bell, the postulator for the canonization cause of Damien and a member of his Sacred Hearts order, invited Silva.

The decision will be made the gathering at 11 a.m. Feb. 21, or 11 p.m. Feb. 20, Hawaii time. After the consistory, the congregation will be informed, said the Rev. Chris Keahi, superior for the order here.

Keahi also said others are expected to be canonized at the same time. The potential list includes at least two names and perhaps more:

— Blessed Bernardo Tolomei (1272-1348), the Italian founder of Olivetan Benedictine Congregation.

— Blessed Nuno Dedi Santa Maria Alvares Perrira (1360-41), a Portuguese professed layman of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

More details on the upcoming canonization is available at

countdowntostdamien.honadvblogs.com