St. Anthony of Padua will visit the Paterson Diocese in the form of two precious and first-class relics from the Pontifical Basilica in Padua, Italy, with stops on Wednesday, June 11, at St. John Kanty Church in Clifton and on Thursday, June 12 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic. These are the only diocesan stops on the relics’ current New York and New Jersey tour.
During the visits, Franciscan Friars of Padua, Italy, will display two relics — fragments of St. Anthony’s facial skin and his floating rib. The relic of the floating rib holds special significance for the friars of Padua because it was venerated by Lucy of Fatima in her convent in Coimbra in 1995 and by then-Archbishop Jorge Maria Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis, in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires in 2000.
Father Mario Conte and Father Fabio Turrisendo, two Franciscan Friars from Padua, where the saint is buried, will accompany the relics as part of a tour.
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The relics’ June 11 visit to St. John Kanty, served by the Conventual Franciscans, will include a 7 a.m. Polish Mass and a 7 p.m. English Mass. Father Waclaw Sokolowski is the pastor. Information: 973-779-4102.
The June 12 visit of the relics to St. Anthony’s will include a 5:30 p.m. English Mass and a 7 p.m. Spanish Mass. Father Javier Bareno is the pastor. Information: 973-777-4793, ext. 13.
St. Anthony was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He is known as the finder of lost things. People can visit to ask St. Anthony’s intercession for more than just the loss of material things; they can also seek help with the loss of faith, family harmony, health, hope, peace of mind, and trust in others.
During the visits, prayer petitions and holy cards will be distributed, allowing the faithful to write their prayer requests to the saint. The Friars will collect and return the petitions to the Basilica in Padua, where they will be placed at the tomb of St. Anthony. The tour concludes at the tomb of St. Anthony, where the Friars will gather to pray for the saint’s intercession on behalf of their intentions and petitions.
For more information about the relics and their current local tour, visit https://www.stanthonyusa.com
