Notes & Insights
Special messages to all…
Relics of St. Anthony of Padua to Visit Parish
On Friday, June 7, 2019 the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca, PA will welcome the precious, first-class relics St. Anthony of Padua from the Pontifical Basilica in Padua, Italy. The touring relics will be accompanied by Father Alessandro Ratti, one of fifty-four OFM Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Franciscan Order of St. Francis of Assisi who minister in the basilica where the saint is buried. Veneration will begin at 5:00PM; Mass will be celebrated at 7:00PM.
Anthony of Padua was born in Portugal in 1195. The 'Saint of Hope' became a Franciscan and is known to many today as the 'finder of lost things'. He was an outstanding preacher who converted heretics as well as helped renew the faith of people as he traveled France and Italy, moving many to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.
Miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime. He and St. Francis of Assisi were acquainted with each other. Anthony died on June 13, 1231 at 36 and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX less than a year later on May 30, 1232. Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church on January 16, 1946. Even today, the faithful claim to receive miracles through his intercession. His tomb is located in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Italy.
Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, says of relics: “By inviting us to venerate the mortal remains of the martyrs and saints, the Church does not forget that, in the end, these are indeed just human bones, but they are bones that belonged to individuals touched by the living power of God. The relics of the saints are traces of that invisible but real presence which sheds light upon the shadows of the world and reveals the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst.”
Fr. Mario Conte, Editor of the Catholic international magazine Messenger of St. Anthony, notes that, “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. St. Anthony intercedes with those trying to find a job, a home, faith, peace of mind, family harmony, love, hope and mercy. He brings us closer to our Lord.”
Prayer Petition Forms with holy cards will be distributed by Friar Alessandro to allow parishioners to write their personal prayer petition to the saint. The writing of intentions is a worldwide tradition connected with the veneration a relic of a saint. Father Alessandro will carry the petitions to the basilica in Padua and place them at the saint's tomb where the friars will gather to pray for the saint’s intercession regarding our petitions and intentions upon the tour's end. (To view the full tour schedule, click here,)
When Visiting
The Franciscans encourage people to touch the reliquaries. One may touch the reliquary with their hand; any religious object such as rosary beads, prayer cards, Bibles, prayer books as well of photos of ill family members. Taking pictures will be allowed as the Franciscans feel it is beautiful to share the experience through photos with a loved one who cannot be present. And in this digital age, there are also those who upon finding a photo of a loved one on their phone ever so gently touch the reliquary with it.
Classifications of Relics
First-class relics are actual body parts of a saint. (The Franciscans will be bring first-class relics of St. Anthony of Padua. One reliquary will contain a fragment of the saint’s floating rib; and the other, skin layers of the saint’s cheek.) Second-class relics are an object that a saint might have possessed in her/his lifetime – their habit, rosary beads or prayer book. As for third-class relics, any religious object that one touches to a reliquary containing a first-class relic will become a third-class relic of the saint. Inside the prayer petition envelope that the Franciscans will be distributing are holy cards. It has on it a beautiful prayer to the miraculous saint which you may recite anytime while venerating. You may also touch the prayer card to the reliquary.
Communion of Saints
As Catholics, we know that only God performs miracles. In the Apostle's Creed, we recite, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints....” We call upon the communion of saints to intercede on our behalf, to lift our prayers and petitions to God in heaven. The saints bring us closer to Jesus. Do not be afraid to call upon Saint Anthony of Padua who is among the communion of saints in heaven, there with God.
Come…
Come, to pray; to venerate the relic; to learn more about the saint; and to grow in understanding the awesomeness of God’s great love.
To learn more about St. Anthony of Padua and the basilica, visit http://www.santantonio.org/en for details.
Anthony of Padua was born in Portugal in 1195. The 'Saint of Hope' became a Franciscan and is known to many today as the 'finder of lost things'. He was an outstanding preacher who converted heretics as well as helped renew the faith of people as he traveled France and Italy, moving many to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.
Miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime. He and St. Francis of Assisi were acquainted with each other. Anthony died on June 13, 1231 at 36 and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX less than a year later on May 30, 1232. Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church on January 16, 1946. Even today, the faithful claim to receive miracles through his intercession. His tomb is located in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Italy.
Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, says of relics: “By inviting us to venerate the mortal remains of the martyrs and saints, the Church does not forget that, in the end, these are indeed just human bones, but they are bones that belonged to individuals touched by the living power of God. The relics of the saints are traces of that invisible but real presence which sheds light upon the shadows of the world and reveals the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst.”
Fr. Mario Conte, Editor of the Catholic international magazine Messenger of St. Anthony, notes that, “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. St. Anthony intercedes with those trying to find a job, a home, faith, peace of mind, family harmony, love, hope and mercy. He brings us closer to our Lord.”
Prayer Petition Forms with holy cards will be distributed by Friar Alessandro to allow parishioners to write their personal prayer petition to the saint. The writing of intentions is a worldwide tradition connected with the veneration a relic of a saint. Father Alessandro will carry the petitions to the basilica in Padua and place them at the saint's tomb where the friars will gather to pray for the saint’s intercession regarding our petitions and intentions upon the tour's end. (To view the full tour schedule, click here,)
When Visiting
The Franciscans encourage people to touch the reliquaries. One may touch the reliquary with their hand; any religious object such as rosary beads, prayer cards, Bibles, prayer books as well of photos of ill family members. Taking pictures will be allowed as the Franciscans feel it is beautiful to share the experience through photos with a loved one who cannot be present. And in this digital age, there are also those who upon finding a photo of a loved one on their phone ever so gently touch the reliquary with it.
Classifications of Relics
First-class relics are actual body parts of a saint. (The Franciscans will be bring first-class relics of St. Anthony of Padua. One reliquary will contain a fragment of the saint’s floating rib; and the other, skin layers of the saint’s cheek.) Second-class relics are an object that a saint might have possessed in her/his lifetime – their habit, rosary beads or prayer book. As for third-class relics, any religious object that one touches to a reliquary containing a first-class relic will become a third-class relic of the saint. Inside the prayer petition envelope that the Franciscans will be distributing are holy cards. It has on it a beautiful prayer to the miraculous saint which you may recite anytime while venerating. You may also touch the prayer card to the reliquary.
Communion of Saints
As Catholics, we know that only God performs miracles. In the Apostle's Creed, we recite, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints....” We call upon the communion of saints to intercede on our behalf, to lift our prayers and petitions to God in heaven. The saints bring us closer to Jesus. Do not be afraid to call upon Saint Anthony of Padua who is among the communion of saints in heaven, there with God.
Come…
Come, to pray; to venerate the relic; to learn more about the saint; and to grow in understanding the awesomeness of God’s great love.
To learn more about St. Anthony of Padua and the basilica, visit http://www.santantonio.org/en for details.
More Than You Realize (MTYR)
In 2018, the Archdiocese of Denver launched More Than You Realize (MTYR), a discipleship movement inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II’s call to the faithful in Denver to share the New Evangelization. MTYR was introduced to over 5,000 Catholics across the archdiocese during a special conference celebrating the saint’s visit to Denver 25 years ago for the1993 World Youth Day.
MTYR.Church was launched in 2018 for practicing Catholics; and MTYR.org was launched in 2019 for both secular and Christian audiences. Through intriguing videos and stimulating content (as well as some stylish merchandise), the movement offers faithful Catholics modern tools for evangelization and non-Catholics the opportunity to learn the truth of the Catholic faith — something that is much more than most people realize.
MTYR.Church was launched in 2018 for practicing Catholics; and MTYR.org was launched in 2019 for both secular and Christian audiences. Through intriguing videos and stimulating content (as well as some stylish merchandise), the movement offers faithful Catholics modern tools for evangelization and non-Catholics the opportunity to learn the truth of the Catholic faith — something that is much more than most people realize.
On Catholic Education [4/2/19 MTYR release]
While education has been made more complicated and more expensive, have we remembered to ask the most fundamental questions? What should take place within it? What is it for? There is no doubt there are great people in every school system and some great public schools. However, when done well, there is nothing like a great Catholic education!
Searching for a Catholic School in the Area?
Look no further. Within our parish grouping, visit the website of Our Lady of Fatima School for information.
Searching for a Catholic School in the Area?
Look no further. Within our parish grouping, visit the website of Our Lady of Fatima School for information.
On Knowing the Catholic Community [2/15/19 MTYR release]
As the polling or anecdotal feedback continues to roll in, the team at More Than You Realize (MTYR) sees a troubling narrative: the average baptized Catholic in America is being inundated with negativity about the Catholic Church and its clergy. Whatever your ministry or circle of concern, there has never been a more urgent need to communicate the facts about the Church, or to remind the faithful of those things that made us Catholic in the first place. MTYR is made up of concerned Catholics who wish to stand up for their Church.
The mission of MTYR is to reminds Catholics and those searching for the truth to look closer at the world, ask more questions, and stop taking everything at face value when it comes to what others are saying, especially about Catholicism and the Church. MTYR is a new movement to increase Catholic's understanding of the Church, the Faith, and society.
Be bold, agile and logical.
The mission of MTYR is to reminds Catholics and those searching for the truth to look closer at the world, ask more questions, and stop taking everything at face value when it comes to what others are saying, especially about Catholicism and the Church. MTYR is a new movement to increase Catholic's understanding of the Church, the Faith, and society.
Be bold, agile and logical.
Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Parish
1409 Pennsylvania Avenue
Monaca, Pennsylvania 15061