Blessed relics of Saint Anthony to visit from Italy

Rome: In celebration of the Centennial of the Feast of Saint Anthony, the members of Saint Anthony’s Society

have announced the visitation of the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony from the Pontifical Basilica Di Sant’

Antonio in Padua, Italy.

Fr. Alessandro Ratti, OFM Conv of the Franciscan Friars of Padua, will travel with two major relics of the

beloved Saint. “We are very happy to share with all friends of Saint Anthony the “physical presence” of our

patron Saint.” said Fr. Ratti.

The Blessed Relics will be taken in procession on Friday, August 23, during the opening ceremonies of the

Saint’s 100th festival and will be on display for public viewing and veneration at the festival between 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 24.

A Centennial Mass of Celebration in honor of Saint Anthony will be celebrated on the bandstand at 5 p.m. The

Mass will conclude with the individual blessing with the Holy Relics and the distribution of blessed Saint

Anthony Bread at the outdoor Chapel. The Relics can also be viewed at Saint Leonard Church during the

weekend.

The full public schedule for viewing and veneration of the relics is posted below.

Friday, August 23 6:30pm: Members of the societies take the statue of Santa Lucia in procession to St.

Leonard Peace Garden to greet our Parish priests and guests from the Basilica di Sant’ Antonio in Padua, Italy

who bring with them the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony.

A gilded bust of the Saint containing his relics is carried in procession to the Opening Ceremonies of 100th

St. Anthony’s Feast – 201 Endicott Street.

7pm: Opening Ceremonies of the 100th St. Anthony’s Feast – The exposition and blessing of the statue of

Saint Anthony, members, fellow devotees and the streets of the North End.

Opening Procession – The statue of Saint Anthony is taken in procession, blessing the streets of the Feast, and

placed in the outdoor chapel for weekend vigil. The Blessed Relics returned to St. Leonard Church.

8:30pm – 11pm: Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Anthony

Saturday, August 24 9am – 1pm: Public Viewing & Veneration of the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony.
Outdoor Chapel of Saint Anthony, Endicott Street.

1pm – 5pm: Public Viewing & Veneration of the Relics of Saint Anthony.

5pm: Outdoor Celebration of the Eucharist – Celebrate a special Mass in honor of Saint Anthony & 100 years

of Faith, Family, Community & Tradition, followed by a Blessing with the Blessed Relic of Saint Anthony &

distribution of Blessed Saint Anthony Bread.

6pm: Procession returns the Blessed Relics to St. Leonard Church.

6:15pm – 11pm: Public Veneration of the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony

Sunday, August 25 10:30am: Mass celebrated in Italian in honor of Saint Anthony
Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Church, Hanover Street

12pm: Grand Procession of Saint Anthony: Join us for the start of the ten hour grand procession beginning on

Endicott Street. The statue of Saint Anthony is carried through the streets of the North End accompanied by

Italian street bands, award winning drum & bugle corps, school marching bands, sponsor floats, and color

guard.

1pm – 6pm: Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Anthony