Relics of St Anthony in UK

Fr Mario with the Reliquary

The Relics of Saint Anthony of Padua have received a tremendous welcome in Ireland over the last few days. A staggering 30,000 people came to St John's Cathedral in Limerick on Monday, to venerate them. The relics of St Anthony are now preparing to travel from Ireland to the UK, starting in Belfast on Thursday, 24 October and continuing on to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and London.

Padua-based friar, Fr Mario Conte, Editor of the Messenger of Saint Anthony magazine, is accompany the relics on their journey. This tour is taking place to mark the 750th anniversary of the discovery of St Anthony's incorrupt tongue by St Bonaventure. St Anthony died in 1231 and was canonised within a year.

Fr Mario said: "There is nothing superstitious about relics. The real meaning of a relic is love - they are a link of love between the person who venerates and the saint".

He added: "we all have our own personal relics. I have my mother's wedding ring. It is an ordinary ring but when I hold it, it is as if my mother is standing beside me."

"People see St Anthony as a friend. They ask the Saint to help them when they have lost items such as a job, a loved one, and faith."

To see a full itinerary go to: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=23188

 To listen to an interview with Fr Mario on Premier Radio, see: www.premier.org.uk/hearttoheart