The bust and the reliquary, containing precious remains of the Franciscan saint, were welcomed with great fervor. These sacred treasures, coming from the Venetian Papal Basilica, represent a rare opportunity for the faithful of Ruvo di Puglia to get spiritually closer to Saint Anthony, who lived between 1195 and 1231. The relics, extracted from his tomb in 1981 during the 750th anniversary of his death, are kept in a crystal urn, meticulously prepared by a religious and technical-scientific commission appointed by the Holy See.
After welcoming ceremony at the Sacred Heart Instituteone solemn procession accompanied the relics to the church of San Michele Arcangelo. The procession, which saw the participation of numerous faithful and visitors, wound through the streets of the city centre, creating an evocative procession of prayer and devotion. The prayers recited along the route made the event even more touching, with the faithful following in contemplation and reflection.
Upon arrival at the church of San Michele Arcangelo, the relics were displayed on the main altar. The church welcomed a continuous flow of faithful who gathered in prayer.
The Catholic community is now preparing to welcome the relics in other parishes of the city, including the parish of BMV Immaculate and that of SS. Redeemer, until June 25th. Each stage represents a moment of intense spirituality and reflection, testifying to the profound devotion of the faithful towards Saint Anthony of Padua.
These days of pilgrimage and prayer offer the faithful the opportunity to reflect on the values of peace that the saint embodied during his life. As reiterated by the parish priest of the parish of San Michele Arcangelo, the presence of the relics is not only a religious event, but also a moment of community union, which strengthens bonds.
