Relics of St. Anthony coming to Knock Shrine

THE relics of St. Anthony will be touring across Ireland next month and will be in Knock Shrine on Saturday, June 11.

The visit is expected to draw enormous interests from pilgrims, with thousands expected to descend on Knock on this special occasion.

Irish people have a strong tradition of worship to St. Anthony and are accustomed to praying to the saint for the recovery of lost items.

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.

A special welcome will take place on June 11 at 11 a.m. followed by veneration at Knock Basilica until 2.30 p.m. The Polish community pilgrimage Mass will take place in the Basilica at 3 p.m., followed by veneration until 7.30 p.m. when there will be a concelebrated Mass followed by departure of the relics.

At the conclusion of each Mass, all those attending will be invited to approach the relics and to receive an extraordinary blessing.

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 lies in his tomb.

For more information, visit www.knockshrine.ie/stanthonyrelic.