"Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints."
- Psalm 116:15
Just in time for the Feast of All Saints is this Part II blog of my European Pilgrimage in which I feature the Shrines/Relics of various Saints I was blessed to visit. For those who have a strong devotion to them, one may understand that praying before the tomb and/or relics of a Blessed or Saint is a deeply personal encounter with the holy person; the spiritual experience is intensified by the presence of something materially tangible that's closely linked to the Blessed/Saint. I felt this special connection at the shrines we visited. Let's begin in Portugal ...
🌹 FATIMA, PORTUGAL: STS. FRANCISCO & JACINTA MARTO AND SR. LUCIA DOS SANTOS
In the older Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Fatima Sanctuary, one can find the tombs of the three Seers. Up front to the right of the Sanctuary is the tomb of St. Francisco while directly opposite are the tombs of his sister - St. Jacinta - and their cousin, Sr. Lucia. Be prepared and patient if one wants to get close to their tombs to pray and take photos - depending on the timing of your visit, the church could be filled with pilgrims. The popularity of the Fatima Seers was evident from the many people who gathered to get close to their tombs.
🌹 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN: THE TOMB & RELICS OF THE APOSTLE ST. JAMES THE GREATER
Compostela and its grand plaza.
On the way north from Fatima to Lourdes, we stopped to tour this major Spanish pilgrimage site. It's been a famous destination for pilgrims since medieval times, and for secular adventurers in our present times.
For those not familiar with the history of the shrine, according to ancient tradition, St. James the Apostle once preached in what is now the Galicia Region of Spain. After his martyrdom in Jerusalem, two of his disciples returned to the area taking with them his relics for safekeeping from the Jewish persecution. The bones were enshrined in the area but with the passing of time, the site was forgotten until the 9th Century when shepherds were drawn to the vicinity by a miraculous star that streamed brilliant rays of light onto a specific plot of land in a field. Hence, the name "Compostela" (field of the star).
The main altar where the relics of the
Apostle St. James are preserved within.
A Bishop named Teodomiro was alerted to the phenomenon and he subsequently unearthed the Apostle's hidden tomb and established the first sanctuary to the Saint. Miracles abounded, which resulted in the rapid expansion of the shrine and leading it to become a premier pilgrimage destination. It was considered highly sacred and a spiritually beneficial undertaking to make the long and dangerous trek to Santiago de Compostela, which originated the practice of the "Camino de Santiago" (the Way of St. James).
To this day, pilgrims still walk the journey from different starting points in neighboring countries and to see their jubilation, firsthand, as they completed their travels in the grand square of Santiago de Compostela was an inspiration! Made me want to consider doing the Camino some day.
🌹 OVIEDO, SPAIN: THE SANTA SUDARIUM, THE CROSS OF THE ANGELS, & ST. EULALIA
Still further north in the Asturias Region of Spain, we stopped in the city of Oviedo to visit its magnificent Cathedral of San Salvador and prayed in the "Camara Santa (Holy Room)", which is an ancient chamber housing many treasured relics and holy objects collected and donated by the Asturian Monarchs.
The outside of the Camara Santa.
From its large collection of relics, what stands out is the Santa Sudarium - a rectangular linen that wrapped the Holy Face of Jesus when he was taken down from the cross and while his corpse was prepared for burial. A replica was on view but the actual relic, itself, is in the chamber in a designated case called the Arca Santa. Because of its delicate state, the Sudarium is only publicly exposed for veneration in the cathedral on three occasions each year ... and only for a short duration each time.
What the Santa Sudarium looks like ...
Studies conducted on the Sudarium revealed it coincides perfectly with another famous relic of Christ's Passion - the Santa Sindone, better known as the Holy Shroud of Turin. Although it doesn't bear a mysterious image like the Shroud does, both cloths share similarities:
- There is actual blood on both fabrics - Type AB (same blood type of Eucharistic Miracles!) - and their respective bloodstains align with each other's!
- The material used to weave both cloths are the same.
- Similar pollen found on both fabrics confirm the Palestinian origin of the Sudarium and Shroud.
Another prominent relic in the Camara Santa is a jeweled cross called the "Cross of the Angels" because it was believed to have been made by angels for King Alfonso II in the 800s. The cross was so revered it became the official symbol of the Asturias.
The much-loved Cross of the Angels
(pictured in the top case).
Near the entrance to the left is a small chapel (see below) dedicated to Oviedo's Patron Saint - St. Eulalia. The Saint was a youthful, virginal Christian from Merida who was martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Her bones are enshrined in an ornate case under a beautiful gothic dome. St. Eulalia, pray for us!
🌹 LOYOLA, SPAIN: ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
Sculptural reminders of St. Ignatius.
In the Basque Region of Northern Spain lies the verdant municipality of Loyola and its Basilica and Museum of St. Ignatius, the illustrious founder of the Jesuits. I did not have an active devotion to this Saint but after visiting this place, I was impressed by his holiness - the spirit of St. Ignatius is very much alive here.
The museum is actually the Saint's family castle (they were minor nobility) where he was raised and, more importantly, it's where he experienced a profound conversion leading up to him becoming the lofty spiritual figure he is today.
In May 1521, Ignatius the soldier was severely injured in his right leg by a cannonball and was incapacitated for months in a room on the third floor. After reading devotional books about the lives of Christ and the Saints, he was spiritually awakened, repented of his past sins, and resolved to serve God; the rest is history.
Today, that room is a special place of prayer and reflection - a relic in itself - appropriately named the Chapel of Conversion and part of the Saint's remains are enshrined under the altar.
of Loyola built next to his family home.
Readers familiar with the "15 Magnificent Prayers" of St. Bridget of Sweden might be interested to know that the crucifix that miraculously came to life and dictated the prayers to the Saint is found in a chapel in this basilica (see below). I did these year-long prayers once, many years ago, so being in the presence of this special image was personally meaningful.
I have to say - this visit to Santa Maria Sopra Minerva was more powerful and moving than the last trip. I felt as though both Saints somehow had a direct hand in guiding our group there and arranging this grace for me. Sts. Dominic and Catherine, pray for us!
The highlight of my visit to Loyola was being able to have the unforgettable experience of serving our chaplain at the altar during the Mass we celebrated in the Chapel of Conversion. I keenly felt the presence of the Saint with us - St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us!
🌹 LOURDES, FRANCE: ST. BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS
Just outside of the Sanctuary of Lourdes is a quaint museum dedicated to St. Bernadette, the celebrated visionary of the shrine. Here, historic photos and a few relics tell the life-story of the Saint and chronicle her apparitions in the Sacred Grotto. It was a worthwhile experience to have visited this attraction.
Personal items used by St. Bernadette
(her shoes were tiny).
🌹 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, ITALY: ST. PADRE PIO
This next Saint needs no introduction - nearly every Catholic knows who Padre Pio is and I was also profoundly moved by our stop at this holy place. San Giovanni Rotondo is forever intimately linked with his life - the Saint is simply all over the town: in the basilica; in the friary; and out on the streets.
The confessional where St. Pio spent 14
to 17 hours reconciling sinners to God (Left)
... and his cell in the Capuchin Friary.
The Saint's habit and Mass vestments he wore.
ABOVE: The crucifix of the stigmatization
in the friary's choir loft.
BELOW: St. Padre Pio's incorrupt body - POWERFUL!
Needless to say, I left this sanctuary with greater admiration for St. Padre Pio's life and legacy. St. Pio, pray for us!
🌹 MUGNANO DEL CARDINALE, ITALY: ST. PHILOMENA
Our dear St. Philomena is one of a handful of my personal go-to Saints. In fact, she has been so responsive to me, I chose her to be a Patron of this ministry. As such, visiting her shrine was one of my bucket list items and it didn't disappoint.
ABOVE: The three tiles of St. Philomena.
BELOW: The miraculous statue of the Saint
which, dripped fragrant manna for three
days beginning on August 11, 1823 (a large
cabinet enclosing relics of other Martyrs
stands beneath it).
At Mugnano, I had the joy of praying at St. Philomena's tomb and venerating other relics connected with her devotion: the ampule with her blood and the three grave tiles decorated with Christian symbols and the words "PAX TECUM FILOMENA" (Peace to you, Philomena) that were recovered with her remains.
As a bonus, I also had the privilege of serving Mass in her Sanctuary (Thanks be to God!) ... and the Shrine Rector - Padre Giuseppe Autorino - later personally greeted us and blessed us individually with the Sanctuary's bone-relic of the Saint - talk about signal graces! St. Philomena, pray for us!
🌹 ROME, ITALY: MISCELLANEOUS SAINTS & RELICS
In the Eternal City we visited the four "Major Basilicas" and other pilgrimage churches - not surprisingly, Saints and Relics were everywhere! But Rome, after all, is the central hub of the Catholic Church! Below are things that stood out for me in this city ...
+ St. John Lateran
One of the four Papal Basilicas, this church was the original residence of the Popes. I would guess it's why above the Baroque-style canopy are prominently displayed two figures representing the primary Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul ... and within them are kept large fragments of their skulls.
ABOVE: The interior of St. John Lateran.
BELOW: The tomb of the Passionist Priest
& renowned Exorcist, Padre Candido,
who is currently being investigated
for Sainthood.
+ Santa Maria Maggiore
This is another grand Papal Basilica and it is, in itself, the result of a miracle that occurred on August 5, 352. According to the story, the Blessed Virgin appeared in a dream to a wealthy Roman Patrician named John and requested the building of a church. She predicted that snow would miraculously fall on a designated spot where the church was to be constructed. The following morning, snow indeed fell on the Esquiline Hill despite the Summer heat. Pope Liberius was notified and he hastened to the area where he traced the outline of the future church with a hoe, after which the snow melted.
The stunning interior of Santa Maria Maggiore
& the relic of Christ's wooden crib.
The Salus Populi Romani icon & the incorrupt body of Pope St. Pius V.
In this basilica are preserved many relics but the most visible are the remnants of Christ's wooden crib; the incorrupt body of Pope St. Pius V (d. 1572); and a miraculous icon of the Madonna and Christ Child attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, called the Salus Populi Romani ("Safety of the Roman People"). The icon is best known for having saved the people from a plague in 593 after it was carried ed throughout the city. Pope Francis makes it a point to pray before this sacred image before and after each trip he undertakes. I've been to this church before in 1989 and in 2005, but coming back to it again never gets old!
+ St. Paul Outside the Walls
This awesome and historic Papal Basilica was built over the ancient site of the tomb of St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, the tomb can be glimpsed by walking down a special area directly under the central canopy. Also preserved in this church is the relic of the chains that were used to bind St. Paul during his imprisonment and execution in Rome. My admiration for this Saint's accomplishments grew after praying at his tomb. St. Paul, pray for us!
ABOVE: Two views of St. Paul's tomb.
BELOW: The chains of St. Paul.
+ The Basilica of St. Augustine
I never heard of this basilica before but I'm glad we stopped here. Within this church is the tomb and relics of St. Monica, the patient and prayerfully persistent mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Her prayers are credited with obtaining the conversion of her son.
At the tomb of this Saint I was prompted to pray for the conversion of my own non-practicing family members and sensed the maternal presence of St. Monica joining me. It was comforting and I felt assured that my prayers would somehow bear good fruit. Sts. Augustine and Monica, pray for us!
+ The Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
This is another Roman church I visited during my prior trip, but we unexpectedly stopped here for Mass. Being a Dominican-administered church, its central spiritual attraction is the tomb of the great St. Catherine of Siena - a Dominican Tertiary, herself - located under the main altar. This time around I got to do something different - the tomb is now accessible through an opening at the back of the altar. Pilgrims can touch the tomb and write petitions on small squares of paper provided and leave them with St. Catherine. Of course I had to write something and left my note near the ear of the effigy representing her!
Besides being able to again venerate St. Catherine, another highlight - maybe more meaningful - was being able to serve Mass in a side-chapel dedicated to St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order. In fact, near the chapel was a bone-relic of St. Dominic, which I also venerated.
The Chapel of St. Dominic & a relic
from the Saint's bones.
... and with that, this blog ends here. I know this was a long one but my trip was nearly 2 weeks long! I was blessed to be able to be at many holy places, in the presence of great spiritual heroes of our rich and beautiful Faith! I will never forget this adventure!
If one ever has the chance to make a pilgrimage, do so ... and do it with a heart totally open and surrendered to whatever God wants to reveal! Trust me - if one does so, He will open doors and fill your journey with new and wondrous experiences!
HAPPY FEAST OF ALL SAINTS!
** To view Part III of my European Pilgrimage Blog: Signs & Signal Graces, click here.
** To view Part I of my European Pilgrimage Blog: Apparition Shrines, click here.
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