The Diocese of Parramatta is preparing to welcome three first-class relics of St Anthony of Padua that have travelled from Italy (via Adelaide) and now to Western Sydney as part of a pilgrimage tour through Oceania.
Accompanied by Franciscan Friar Fr Bortolino Maistrello from the Pontifical Basilica of St Anthony in Padua, Italy the relics will be made available for public veneration across two parishes – Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville on Saturday 6 June and Saint Padre Pio Glenmore Park on Sunday 7 June 2026.
It has been over 16 years since the relics have visited the Diocese, and these two days will offer a unique opportunity to witness and encounter one of the Church’s most beloved saints.
The three first-class relics, originally from St Anthony’s Basilica include the skin of St Anthony that was taken from his corrupted body when his casket was opened in 1261.
As pilgrimage organiser, Lou Fantasia explains, “the word “relic” comes from the Latin ‘relinquo’, literally meaning “I leave,” or “I abandon.”
“There are three classes of sacred relics. The first-class is a part of the saint’s body. The second-class is a piece of the saint’s clothing or something used by the saint, while the third-class is an object which has been touched to a first-class relic,” he said.
The rare first-class relics are enshrined in sacred vessels including a golden reliquary, a golden statue of St Anthony, and a lantern.
Image: Supplied
A long grace-filled history
Organising an annual pilgrimage is a challenge, but one filled with grace and abundance, according to Lou who has a special history with St Anthony and the relics.
“My parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Payneham, South Australia is one of many parishes around Australia that celebrates the Feast of St Anthony. However as far as we know we are the only Parish that celebrates the Feast in the tradition of an Italian Festa which commenced in 1971. My mum, dad and my siblings, and other devotees have been involved with the festa since its inception in 1971. This year we celebrate our 55th anniversary,” he said.
“The relationship between the Basilica Friars, our parish, my family and I began in 1989 with a chance encounter with Fr Luciano Marini, a Franciscan from the Basilica. Fr Luciano was visiting his family in Adelaide South Australia and heard about our celebration and devotions to St Anthony. He concelebrated Mass on the day of the Feast of St Anthony and delivered a very moving and emotional sermon.
“My father Biagio Fantasia, president of the St Anthony Committee and our Parish Priest asked, or rather convinced Fr Luciano to return the following year,” he said.
Since then, a Friar from the Basilica has travelled to South Australia for the festa each year, except during the COVID years, and the Parish was gifted a relic, the golden reliquary.
Image: Supplied
A new pilgrimage
But the Friars wanted to ensure that more people had the opportunity to venerate the relics across Oceania. So, 20 years ago, Lou’s brother Angelo on behalf of ‘The Messenger of St Anthony’ started the pilgrimages. However, with the passing of Angelo a few years ago, the mantle, or honour fell to Lou to pick up again especially after a post-COVID break.
“After a brief discussion with my wife Nicki and prayers to St Anthony for guidance, I agreed to facilitate the visit of the relics in the region. This is my first visit to Sydney and Parramatta after visiting several parishes in Melbourne in 2024 and 2025.
“It has been a massive learning curve but to see the faces of the devotees of our Saint when they come before the relics is a moving and rewarding experience,” he said.
Each year more than one million pilgrims visit St Anthony’s tomb in Northern Italy. For those unable to make the journey, this visit brings St Anthony to the community so they can touch the relics and pray for their needs and their loved ones.
“Venerating and touching the relics is like placing one’s hand on St Anthony’s tomb,” says Lou.
And this is what has been witnessed in Melbourne over the last two years – packed churches, with long queues of people waiting patiently and prayerfully to venerate the relics.
“People from all ages and from diverse cultural backgrounds came. It was a moving and humbling experience to see many parents bring their newborn children and their other children to touch and receive a blessing with the relics,” said Lou.
Image: Supplied
A tradition of faith and encounter
The pilgrimage is intended to bring the spiritual life of the Basilica into local communities.
“St Anthony is not only a figure of history. He is present in the communion of saints, interceding for us now. These visits allow people to come close to him in prayer,” said Lou.
Within Catholic teaching, relics are sacred reminders of the holiness of those who lived in close friendship with Christ. They are not objects of power in themselves, but signs that point the faithful toward God and the reality of the Communion of Saints.
The pilgrimage is expected to be particularly significant for multicultural communities across the Diocese, many of whom carry strong devotional traditions to Saint Anthony.
The visit offers a moment to entrust personal intentions, families, and needs to the intercession of St Anthony, and to experience the unity of the universal Church.
Image: Supplied
Parish schedule: Diocese of Parramatta
The relics will be available for veneration across two parishes:
SATURDAY, 6 JUNE
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kellyville
Fr Christopher Shorrock OFM Conv PP
- 9:30am – Mass followed by Devotions until 2pm
- 4:00pm – First Holy Communion followed by Devotions at 5pm
- 6:00pm – Vigil Mass followed by Devotions until 7.30pm
SUNDAY, 7 JUNE
St Padre Pio Church, Glenmore Park
Fr Johnson Malayil Joseph CRS PP
- 7:30am – Devotions
- 8:00am – Mass
- 8:45 – 9:45am – Devotions
- 10:00am – Mass followed by Corpus Christi Procession
- 11:30am – 4:00pm – Devotions
About Fr Bortolino Maistrello
Fr. Bortolino Maistrello was born in Thiene, Vicenza, on 30th April 1954. He entered the minor seminary of Camposampiero and took his final vows in 1979. He completed his theological studies in 1985 and after his priestly ordination he went to Ghana (Africa) until 2016. In Ghana he worked both in the parish and with a printing press taking care of a catholic production. After returning to Italy, he worked in the community of Sanzeno (Trentino alto Adige). He is Parish Priest of Sanzeno and Prior of the shrine of St. Romedio.
This special event is an example of the Pastoral Plan Priority of Prayer and Formation. Please visit Synodality to learn more.
