Relics of St Anthony of Padua return to Britain

When the relics of St Anthony visited Britain in 2013 there were queues in cities and towns around the country as devotees flocked to honour their much loved Saint. 2016 looks set to see a similar outpouring of devotion in Paisley, Middlesbrough, Salford (Manchester), Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Forest Gate London. From 19 - 28 June 2016, St Anthony will be visiting in the form of two relics, one of which is the relic Pope Francis venerated sixteen years ago in Argentina as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires.

The future Pope led a procession through the streets of the Argentinian capital in 2000, carrying in his hands a reliquary containing a piece of St Anthony's floating rib. Pope Francis' devotion to St Anthony is due to the Saint's love, care and concern for the poor and marginalised. Known for helping people find lost items, St Anthony intercedes with those trying to find a job, a home, faith, love, hope and mercy.

The relics will be accompanied by Fr Mario Conte, editor of the Messenger of St Anthony, the magazine published by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Saint Anthony's Basilica in Padua, Italy, where the Saint's tomb is located.

St Anthony was one of the earliest members of the Franciscan Order founded by St Francis in 1209. In his writings, St Anthony often speaks of mercy, describing God as the 'Father of Mercy'. Pope Francis has made mercy one of the primary focuses of his papacy and the Jubilee Year of Mercy is a special period of universal pardon, emphasising God's forgiveness and mercy.

The relics will remain exposed during the Eucharistic Celebrations taking place on the dates and at the venues below. At the conclusion of each Mass, all those attending will be invited to approach the relics and to receive an extraordinary blessing.

RELIC TOUR PROGRAMME: UK June 19 - 28

Sunday 19 June
Paisley, Scotland
St Mirin's Cathedral
T: 0141 889 2404
12.00noon; 2.30pm (Polish);
6.30pm: Masses
11am; 1.00-2.30pm; 3.30-
6.30pm; 7.15-8.00pm: Veneration

Monday 20 June
Middlesbrough
St Mary's Cathedral
T: 01642 597750
12noon (Bishop Drainey);
6.30pm: Masses
9.00am (sung prayer); 1pm
(sermon-Fr Mario); 4.30pm (choral vespers)
9.30-12noon; 1.30-4.30pm;
5-8pm: Veneration

Tuesday - Wednesday 21-21 June
Manchester
St John's Cathedral
T: 0161-817-2210
Tuesday: 12.10pm: Mass;
Veneration all day from 11am;
Wednesday: 10am: Mass
9-10.0am; 10.45am-12.10pm;
1pm till late afternoon: Veneration

Thursday 23 June
Sheffield
Cathedral of St Marie
T: 0114-272-2522
12.45pm; 5.30pm: Masses
10.15-11.15am; 1.30-5pm;6.15- 7pm: Veneration
11.30-12.30 (Holy Hour); 12.30-12.45pm (Prayer)

Friday 24 June
Shrewsbury
Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians
T: 01743.364.256
Veneration from 11am to 7.30pm
Masses: 12.15pm; 7.30pm

Saturday 25 June
Birmingham
St Chad's Cathedral
T: 0121 236 5535
Mass 10am; 4.30pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
Veneration all day until 8pm

Sunday - Tuesday 26-28 June
London
St Anthony's Parish
56 St Anthony's Road
Forest Gate
T: 020 8472 0433
Sunday: 12noon: Mass
1-8pm: Veneration
Monday: 7.45am;10am: Masses
Veneration all day
Tuesday: To be finalized

For more information about St Anthony of Padua and the Messenger of St Anthony, see www.santantonio.org/