The National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City will officially receive 26 religious relics from Rome in a rare transfer that church officials described as “tailor fit” to the identity and devotion of the shrine and the city.
Fr. Ian Balankig said the relics include sacred objects connected to Saint Joseph, the 12 Apostles, and several saints known for their devotion to Saint Joseph.
The formal transfer ceremony is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 23, at the shrine, where the relics will be carried in procession, sealed, and permanently entrusted to the church.
“These relics of Saint Joseph and the 24 others now belong to the National Shrine. These would be permanently enshrined here,” Balankig said.
Among the relics set to arrive in Mandaue are a rock fragment from the Last Supper, a relic from the House of the Annunciation, a relic from the Cave of the Nativity where Jesus was born, a relic from the veil of the Virgin Mary, a relic from the crib of Baby Jesus, and a splinter from the cross on which Jesus died.
The collection also includes relics of saints devoted to Saint Joseph, including Sta. Teresa de Ávila, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, and Saint Francis de Sales.
Balankig said the relics were specifically requested to reflect the traditions and identity of the Mandaue church, including its devotion to Saint Joseph and the life-sized “Señor de Cena” or Last Supper image.
“Kaning atong mga relics nga gi request, gi tailor fit gyud ni according sa atong simbahan,” he said.
The priest explained that relics are classified into three categories. First-class relics are physical remains of saints such as bones or hair, second-class relics are personal belongings or objects associated with saints, while third-class relics are items that touched a saint or a first-class relic.
He noted that Saint Joseph has no known first-class relics.
“Wala man tay physical remains ni Saint Joseph, like a bone, tissue, or hair,” Balankig said.
The request for the relics was made earlier this year through Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma Uy to the Order of the Augustinian Discalced in Rome.
Balankig said Rome carefully evaluates requests before approving the transfer of relics.
“Dili man ang tanang simbahan ang matagaan og ingon ani. Dili ni siya prebilihiyo, it is not easily given,” he said.
Church officials also assured Rome that the relics would be safely preserved and properly venerated. The reliquaries that will house the relics were locally crafted in Mandaue City.
The faithful may publicly venerate the relics on May 24 and May 31 before the items are temporarily secured during ongoing renovation works at the shrine. (VCL)
Photo by VCL
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