Inside this reliquary, which will be visiting North America at the beginning of March 2007, there are parts of Saint Anthony's skin. They were removed during the most recent examination of the Saint's body in 1981. The relic, coming directly from the Basilica in Padua, Italy, represents a link of love between Saint Anthony and his devotees.

Visit to San Antonio, Texas

We are pleased to inform our readers that the relic of Saint Anthony here shown will be visiting the town of his namesake, San Antonio, in Texas, at the beginning of March. The relic will be accompanied by a small group of friars from the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua.

The relic will be received by the Archbishop of San Antonio, the Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez, and by the Rector of the Cathedral in San Antonio, the Very Rev. David Garcia, on the Saturday evening of March 3 at the beginning of the 17.30 vigil Mass (bilingual), with the Archbishop giving a blessing at the end of the Mass, and the faithful passing by the relic afterwards.

An hour before (at 16.30) this first celebration, Messaggero di Sant'Antonio Publishing House will be presenting the newly published first volume of the complete works of the Sermons of Saint Anthony, for the first time translated in their entirety into English. The translation is the work of our contributing writer Paul Spilsbury.

On Sunday, March 4, Masses will be held in front of the relic, with the faithful passing by afterwards, at 6.00 am (Spanish), 8.00 am (Spanish), 10.00 am (English), 12.00 am (Spanish), 14.00 (English) and 17.00 (bilingual). Some of these Masses will be televised.

The friars from the Messenger of Saint Anthony accompanying the relic and con-celebrating at the Masses will be: Fr. Danilo Salezze, General Director; Fr. Mario Conte, Editor of the International English language edition, and Fr. Luciano Segafreddo, Editor of the Italian language edition for Italians living abroad.

Members of the five Conventual Franciscan provinces will also be present, including Fr. Peter Damian Massengill, Provincial Minister Our Lady of Consolation Province and President of the Anthonian Association at Mount St. Francis, Indiana.

The friars at Padua are delighted to bring Saint Anthony to Texas, a visit that was long overdue!

For more information contact: The Anthonian Association Office at Mount St. Francis - Tel.: 812 923 6356

Visit to Toronto, Canada

The same friars will then continue on from San Antonio, and take the relic to Toronto, Canada, at St. Bonaventure Friary, Leslie Street.

Two Masses will be celebrated with the faithful passing by the relic afterwards. The first will be celebrated in English on Wednesday, March 7 at 19.30, while an Italian Mass will be held on Thursday, March 8 at 19.30.

This is a unique opportunity to come together and celebrate our faith and the good works done through the friars. The solemn celebrations will be followed by refreshments at the Parish Centre. The Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure is located at 1300 Leslie Street in Toronto, south of Lawrence.

For more information contact: St. Anthony of Padua Mission Aid - Tel.: 416 690 9904