Rare chance for city Catholics to see St. Francis relic
Calgary Catholics are being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to view one of the church’s most revered relics, the right arm of St. Francis Xavier.
Organizers believe this is the first time the relic, permanently displayed at the Church of the Gesù in Rome, has ever been on Canadian soil. St. Francis’s body, kept in a glass container encased in a silver casket in a basilica in Goa, India, as well as the relic of his arm, are believed incorrupt — they have not experienced the usual natural decay since his death in 1552.
It is expected that more than 100,000 people will visit the various church gatherings across the country, which is approximately the same number of people Francis baptized with that same right arm and hand.
The relic will be available for viewing at two locations in Calgary: on Jan. 21 at Sacred Heart Church, 1307 14 St. S.W., from 1 p.m. until 4.30 p.m., with a mass to follow led by Bishop William McGrattan. A further opportunity to view the relic will be available from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
The following day, public veneration will be available at St. Michael Catholic Community, 800 85 St. S.W. from 6.30 p.m. until 10 p.m. However, organizers advise peo- ple to check the website closer to those dates in case of scheduling changes.
Born April 7, 1506, in the Kingdom of Navarre in present-day Spain, St. Francis is considered one of the co-founders of the Society of Jesus, the religious order better known as the Jesuits. He led extensive missions into Asia, India and Japan. He was the first Christian missionary to venture into Japan and is known as the Apostle of the Indies and the Apostle of Japan. He died on Dec. 3, 1542, off the coast of China, which he had hoped to evangelize.
After his death, St. Francis’s body was moved to Goa, India, where he converted tens of thousands of people to Catholicism. The casket is displayed only every 10 years. At the request of the Jesuits, his arm, which carried out so many baptisms, was removed and taken to Rome.
The last time the relic left Rome was a trip to Australia in 2012.
The relic will visit 14 Canadian cities throughout January. The Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Canadian Jesuits and Catholic Christian Outreach, a national university student movement, organized the visit as a finale to the 150th birthday celebrations in Canada.
Angèle Regnier, co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach, is travelling with the arm throughout the Canadian visit and said initial reaction has been overwhelming.
“The first encounter was at our national conference in Ottawa, where there were 900 people, mostly 20-year-olds, from across the country were gathered,” said Regnier. “They were very moved and had a heartfelt time of prayer, which was very touching.”
She added at the next stop in Quebec City more than 1,500 people came to pay reverence to Francis Xavier on an extremely cold day.
“We really didn’t expect those large numbers. The faces of the people were so reverent and they were so appreciative for the opportunity.
“All kinds of people expressed wonder and amazement. This says to me that the people of Canada, more than we realize, are looking for spiritual experiences and this is an opportunity to do something unique and spiritual. So many unexpected people are asking if they can come, even people who have not been practising their faith want to come and pray.”
Transporting the relic is a major undertaking. It sits within two plastic cases the size of a minifridge. That is then placed in a foam-lined duffel bag, and when travelling between cities it takes up its own separate seat on the plane.
“Air Canada has been awesome,” said Regnier. “They have arranged advance notice to the security stations at each airport, so they know that the relic is coming. So far it has been perfect with no problems.”
Regnier said she expects that by the time the relic reaches Calgary the momentum will result in even larger crowds, so she hopes people who arrive to pay their respects understand that they will only be able to view the arm for a few seconds. However, they are welcome to stay and pray for as long as they wish afterwards.