By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY | Brandon Duncan
St. Augustine Bishop Felipe Estevez, left, and Father Sal Di Fazio, pose with the relic of St. Augustine of Hippo after it arrived at the diocesan offices June 25.
Photographer: COURTESY | Brandon Duncan
This is the crucifix-shaped reliquary that contains the first-class relic, a finger, of St. Augustine of Hippo, patron saint of the Diocese of St. Augustine. The crucifix is made of silver and adorned with precious stones. The reliquary dates back to 1904, with the name of Pope Pius X inscribed on it.
Photographer: COURTESY | Brandon Duncan
This is the crucifix-shaped reliquary that contains the first-class relic, a finger, of St. Augustine of Hippo, patron saint of the Diocese of St. Augustine. The crucifix is made of silver and adorned with precious stones. The reliquary dates back to 1904, with the name of Pope Pius X inscribed on it.
Photographer: COURTESY | Brandon Duncan
The first-class relic of St. Augustine of Hippo, which has never before left the Vatican, is a finger that dates back to 430 A.D.
KATHLEEN BAGG
Special to the Florida Catholic
Jacksonville, Fla. � After more than four years of planning and coordination with officials in Italy and at the Vatican, the Diocese of St. Augustine has acquired a first-class relic of its patron saint, Augustine of Hippo.
It is on loan to the diocese for the 450th anniversary celebration of the City of St. Augustine and the founding of America’s first Catholic parish. The relic is part of the Vatican Treasury and this is the first time it has ever left Italy.
The official ceremony welcoming the relic took place July 7 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. The relic actually arrived at the Catholic Center (the diocesan headquarters in Jacksonville) June 25, and Bishop Felipe J. Estévez carefully removed it from its crate.
“What a wonderful gift this is to have a major relic come to the city, parish and cathedral that bears the name of one of history’s most notable and intellectual people,” said Father Thomas Willis, rector of the cathedral basilica. “Augustine of Hippo is known among Christians as the ‘sinner turned saint.’ His story of conversion to God is so relevant to our contemporary era.”
The relic itself is a finger of St. Augustine, which dates back to 430 A.D. It is encased in a reliquary (a container for holy relics) in the form of a crucifix made of silver and adorned with precious stones. The reliquary dates back to 1904, with the name of Pope Pius X inscribed on it.
“To have this significant relic on lone to the diocese and the cathedral basilica during our jubilee year, celebrating the 450th anniversary of the founding of America’s first parish, is, indeed, a blessing,” said Father Willis. “I hope that many people will come and make a pilgrimage to the cathedral, ask our patron for his intercession and be renewed in the beauty of the Catholic faith that Augustine taught so well.”
The following is a schedule of when the relic will be available for veneration and viewing by the public. The cathedral basilica’s address is 38 Cathedral Place in St. Augustine:
July 20-22
- Augustinian Mission. Join the cathedral parish community for a mission on the life and teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustinian Father Art Purcaro will lead a mission service in the cathedral each day, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Opportunities will be available for prayer, confession and veneration of the relic.
Friday, Aug. 28
- August 28 is the patronal feast of St. Augustine of Hippo. Bishop Felipe J. Estevez will be the presider and homilist at Vespers which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica. Dr. Michael Francis will deliver the 16th annual Augustinian Address at 7 p.m. in the Bishop Baker Parish Center, 257 St. George Street, St. Augustine.
Saturday, Aug. 29
- Young Adult Night. All young adults (ages 21-35) are invited to a special evening designed just for them beginning with Mass at 5 p.m. Fathers Lawrence Peck and Richard Pagano will lead those present in praise and worship of the Lord, tell the amazing story of Augustine � the sinner turned saint. There will be time for veneration of the relic and confession also will be available. For more information on this event, contact Mike Sylvester at (904) 262-3200, ext. 189 or email [email protected].
Wednesdays with St. Augustine
- During the time the relic is in the Diocese of St. Augustine, each Wednesday at 7 p.m. (see schedule below) there will be time for veneration of the relic, a teaching about St. Augustine of Hippo, and intercessory prayer.
- July 15 and 29
- August 5, 12, 19 and 26
- September 2, 9, 16 and 23
Parish or group pilgrimages
Would your parish or groups like to arrange a pilgrimage to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine during the time the relic is in the diocese? Contact the Cathedral Parish Office at 904-824-2806 or email [email protected]. Please request your arrangements no less than three weeks in advance of the date desired.
Kathleen Bagg is communications director for the Diocese of St. Augustine.
