Speaking Presentation & Holy Relics Exhibit: St. Anthony of Padua Church, 11/1/2015

It was all about the Saints today at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.  Fitting, given the entire Church was celebrating a special day - the Feast of All Saints.

The floor plan on our Relic Exhibit

Guide that was distributed to the audience,

and which showed the names of Saints and

Blesseds whose relics were on display

for public veneration.

In honor of this hallowed day, my ministry was invited to speak to our parishioners about Saints and to bring multiple relics for public veneration.  In response, me and a team of volunteers organized an exhibit of Holy Relics, consisting of thirty-three 1st and 2nd Class Relics from various Saints and Blesseds.

  

Parishioners gathered for the Saints

and Relics Presentation/Exhibit in our

Parish Hall.

The event started with a short talk, during which I emphasized the role of Saints as our spiritual heroes and intercessors; role models for all Catholics to look up to and emulate. After the presentation, parishioners - consisting of adults and many children - were invited to walk around 5 tables on which were displayed the Relics of Saints and Blesseds.  Among those present were genuine relics from many popular Saints:  St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Christopher, St. Gerard Majella, St. John Paul II, St. Philomena, St. Padre Pio. St. Rita of Cascia, St. Therese the Little Flower, etc.

Some of the many relics that were

displayed at our parish's exhibit.  Also

included were relics of the True Cross

of Jesus and clothing-relics of Our

Lady and St. Joseph.

 

It was a joy to see entire families, standing in front of the relics discussing the Saints whose relics were represented.  Square pieces of fabric were also handed out to each family, to be touched to the relics of the Saint(s) who had inspired them the most during my talk.  Many made use of their cloth, moving from table to table, prayerfully touching the reliquaries.  I could see from peoples' facial expression that most were considerably impressed by their personal contact with the Saints and several wept with emotion.  It was definitely a memorable event for our participating parishioners, as well as my ministry; my first ever large-scale exhibit.

Parishioners making their way to the

various displays of our Relic Exhibit.

 

After the event ended, our team celebrated with a fellowship luncheon of spaghetti, sweet bread rolls, softdrinks, and dessert.  Our conversation was fun, lively, and meaningful.  It was a perfect ending for our Saints Day Celebration and I couldn't help but think that this is how this feast should be observed each year.  With that stated, God willing, I'm aiming for another exhibit in 2016... bigger and better!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift and blessing of your Saints!