The parish community of San Michele Arcangelo in Trepuzzi experienced days of particular grace and spirituality with the arrival of the ancient chamois relic of Saint Francis of Assisi. The occasion is special because we are celebrating the jubilee of the sixtieth anniversary of the dedication of the parish to the Archangels.
The relic was placed for veneration by the faithful not only of Trepuzzi but of the whole of Salento. Today the journey towards Parabita continues.
The relic consists of a flap of chamois skin, which the friars had procured and given to the Saint, sewn inside the tunic at the height of the side to cushion any blows and avoid infections, as on some days the “sacred esteem” it opened and bled.
We listened to the parish priest Don Emanuel Riezzo: ”An extraordinary event which testifies first of all to the great devotion of the people of Trepuzzo towards this very important saint, famous throughout the world and patron saint of Italy. It is with joy that the community of Trepuzzi welcomed the relics of this saint for the first time in history, preparing our hearts for the even more beautiful days that we will experience on the occasion of the feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael and on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the Church which will culminate next May 10, 11 and 12”.
Much emotion and joy also for Father Guglielmo Spirito, custodian of the relic of Saint Francis: ”We go to Parabita and then return to Assisi. The stops in Salento are over for this time. We would have liked to return to Copertino, given the deep connection with our San Giuseppe. With this celebration here in Trepuzzi, particularly in this beautiful parish of San Michele remembering that Saint Francis of Assisi had a friendship and a special predilection for the Archangel.
The same relic of the blood-soaked side wound recalls the Lent that Francis was doing in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel on Monte della Verna. Therefore, the fact that the relic is welcomed in the parish of San Michele Arcangelo in preparation for the feast of the Archangels is a very happy coincidence, which will certainly fill the heart of San Francesco with joy”.
by Adriana Greco
