Our Lady of the Angels Parish Rouse Hill welcomed four special relics, which were blessed by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv during a special Mass on Saturday 5 October.
Bishop Vincent Long blessed the first-class relics of St Padre Pio di Pietrelcina, St Therese of Lisieux, and young saint-in-the-making Blessed Carlo Acutis; as well as a second-class relic of St Anthony of Padua. The relics were deposited in the church’s adjacent St Francis chapel.
Relics of Carlo Acutis and St Therese of Lisieux. Photo: visualeyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
First-class relics are biological remains of a saint while second-class relics, also known as ‘contact relics’, are items that were touched by a saint during his or her lifetime. This is not the first time Our Lady of the Angels has received relics. The church’s main altar holds a first-class relic of St Francis of Assisi, which was deposited in 2015 at the time of the church’s dedication. The relics of St Faustina Kowalska and St Pope John Paul II are also deposited in the new chapel.
“The relic is not the object of our worship; rather, they are signs to us of the closeness of the saints,” Bishop Vincent said.
Mass concelebrated by Bishop Vincent Long. Photo: visualeyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
“They are above all models of Christian life and by their intercession, we endeavour to follow the footsteps of Christ more closely.
“By honouring them, let us be inspired to embrace the pattern of self-sacrifice, mutual love and service to the least of our brothers and sisters.”
Relic blessing by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. Photo: visualeyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Journey of the relics
Parish Priest Fr Carlos Walker IVE said the arrival of the relics was a special time for the parish community, as it strengthened the bond between ordinary people and the saints who once walked among us.
“We specifically requested these relics because each of the four saints are so popular and inspire the lives of so many,” Fr Carlos said.
“For St Anthony, we obtained a piece of his clothes,” he said.
Fr Carlos said the idea came from a local married couple last year.
“I thought it was an excellent idea, especially since our church has a side chapel that was practically empty,” Fr Carlos said, adding that he made a written request to Rome for the relics.
He made a second request to Rome for the relic of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, due to the popularity of the saint following a relic visit last year. While the four projects were approved by Rome relatively fast, the logistics in their delivery were much more challenging.
Up close: Relics of Carlo Acutis and St Therese of Lisieux. Photo: visualeyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
“The relics needed to be collected in person in Italy and arrive in time for our ceremony,” he said.
Fr Carlos said the arrival of the relics were met with an outpouring of adoration from the faithful.
“When Bishop Vincent came to introduce these new relics in our parish, a great joy could be perceived among our parishioners; it really was a very special moment” — Fr Carlos Walker.
“I suppose, it was not merely a devotion that was being fostered,” Fr Carlos said.
“I had a sense that people felt affirmed in their faith and practice, as we are inspired by these, our saint friends, who intercede for us and lead us by example.
“Every time I come into the church, even from early morning, I can see people praying in front of the relics.”
All four relics before being deposited in the St Francis Chapel. Photo: visualeyes Photography/Diocese of Parramatta.
Healing through intersessional prayer and devotion
Rouse Hill mother of three Angela Rosero with her daughter. Photo: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta.
Ian Hudson had travelled 60-kilometres from Kogarah in southern Sydney to pray in the presence of heaven’s intercessors.
“It’s lovely to be so close to the remains of the saints,” Ian said.
Colombian-born parishioner Angela Rosero felt an affinity with God and St Therese, an artist like herself, who believed in finding greatness in the small, everyday acts of love and kindness.
“It’s a great lesson,” Angela said.
For the Fernandez family, the veneration of the saints was an especially grace-filled experience.
Alex Fernandez and his nine children, ages 11 to 25, had prayed with deep faith to St Padre Pio di Pietrelcina, St Therese of Lisieux, and St Anthony of Padua for their beloved wife and mother, Donna, to be healed from cancer; never losing hope, never giving up.
“She had an operation two weeks ago, and they removed her oesophagus,” Alex’s eldest daughter, Clara, said.
“On St Therese of Lisieux’s feast day (October 1), we found out she’s cancer-free,” Clara continued.
“We’re so grateful for everything the saints have done for her, our parish, and our family,” she said.
“It’s a blessing for the parish to have these relics, but particularly for us because we prayed to three of the saints for their intercession for my wife … all the cancer is now gone.” — Alex Fernandez.
The Fernandez prayed before the relics of the saints, including the great holy miracle worker St Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower of Jesus). Photo: Isabell Petrinic/Diocese of Parramatta.
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