Thousands venerate holy relic of St Anthony of Padua

Thousands venerate holy relic of St Anthony of Padua
x
Highlights

Thousands of Christians in the district have on Friday had a unique opportunity to venerate holy relic of St Anthony of Padua, Italy.

​Warangal: Thousands of Christians in the district have on Friday had a unique opportunity to venerate holy relic of St Anthony of Padua, Italy.

A golden statuette of the St Anthony containing reliquary, which holds tongue and vocal cards of the Saint, was brought to St Fatima Cathedral in Kazipet during early morning hours on the day. It arrived here from Bangladesh after touring the nations like the US.

Large influx devotees thronged the Cathedral to offer prayers to the Saint and venerate the relic. Warangal Catholic Diocese Bishop Udumala Bala offered special mass in honour of the holy relic of
the Saint.

The reliquary was kept at the Cathedral till 11 am and later was taken to Karunapuram village and kept at Vidyaniketan Junior College. A special mass was also celebrated at the college by the Bishop where the devotees from nearby villages, a TRS leader Rajarapu Pratap and others were present.

Giving the details of the relic, St Fatima Cathedral rector father S Balashowry told The Hans India that when St Anthony died on June 13, 1231, his body was buried in the little Franciscan Church of St Mary in Padua.

In 1263, a great basilica was constructed so that his relics could be placed below the high altar. When the crypt was opened, they found that the Saint’s body was reduced to dust and bones, but his tongue and floating rib were intact and life-like and they were preserved in reliquaries.

‘They are the two first class and holy relics of St Anthony of Padua. The annual pilgrimage of St Anthony’s relics is a way for the faithful from around the world to both encounter the Saint and to remember the numerous journeys made by the Franciscan missionary during his lifetime,’ he said.

The relic would be taken to Kerala state on Saturday and it would tour several places till March. A priest from St Anthony Basilica Padua, reverend Raphy, the Cathedral Parish Committee office bearers DL Reddy, R Rajmohan Rao, T Mathias Reddy, Alex and others joined mass at the Cathedral.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS