Relics of St. Anthony of Padua in Texas, Bangladesh, India

Relics of St. Anthony of Padua in Texas, Bangladesh, India

Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario of Dhaka celebrated Mass upon the arrival of St.Anthony's relics in Bangladesh.-REUTERS

(Vatican Radio)  The faithful of the US state of Texas, Bangladesh, and India have the unique opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Anthony of Padua during the months of February and March.

The annual pilgrimage of St. Anthony’s relics are 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.

Fr. Mario Conte, Director of the ‘Messenger of Saint Anthony’, will bring the relics to the Texan cities of Austin, Bryan, Waco, and Belton from 10 to 19 February.

As the visit takes place on the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparition of Fatima, the Texan churches will host the ‘floating rib’ relic of St. Anthony, which was venerated by the Servant of God, Sister Lucia of Fatima, in 1995 in the convent of Coimbra, Portugal.

Another portion of St. Anthony’s relics is in Bangladesh on 2 to 8 February.

Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop George Kocherry, celebrated the arrival of the relics with a Mass at the Portuguese Church of St. Anthony in Panjora. They concelebrated the Mass with all the bishops of Bangladesh on 3 February.

After being taken to other cities in Bangladesh, the relics will continue their pilgrimage to India on the 10 February to 15 March.

(Devin Sean Watkins)

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