Thousands of devout Catholics are in expected in Derry next month for the visit to the city of the relics of St Anthony.(the saint of lost things).
Last time the relics visited Ireland there were traffic jams in cities and towns around the country as devotees flocked to honour their much loved Saint – the 13th century friar who was one of the earliest members of the Franciscan Order founded by St Francis in 1209.
St Anthony will be visiting Ireland in the form of two relics, one of which is the relic Pope Francis venerated 16 years ago in Argentina as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires.
The future Pope led a procession through the streets of the Argentinian capital in 2000, carrying in his hands a reliquary containing a piece of St Anthony’s floating rib.
Francis’ devotion to St Anthony is due to the Saint’s love, care and concern for the poor and marginalised.
Known for helping people find lost items, St Anthony intercedes with those trying to find a job, a home, faith, love, hope and mercy.
“Relics are parts of the body of a saint who was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Pope Francis
The relics will remain exposed during the Eucharistic celebrations taking place in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Wednesday and Thursday, 15 and 16 June.
At the conclusion of each Mass, all those attending will be invited to approach the relics and to receive an extraordinary blessing.
Details of the visit to the cathedral are:
Wednesday, 15 June:
Formal welcome of the relics at St Eugene’s 12 noon.
Veneration continues until 7.30pm Mass
Veneration continues until 10pm
Thursday, 16 June:
Mass at 8.00am and 10.00am.
Veneration until 1.00pm.
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