City’s Catholics expected to flock to 465-year-old relic
Right forearm of St. Francis Xavier has already been viewed by thousands
On Monday and Tuesday, Montreal Catholics will have a chance to see the 465-year-old right forearm and hand of St. Francis Xavier.
Tens of thousands of Canadians have already shuffled past the relic in churches across Canada.
Here are five things to know about the man and his arm:
1. St. Francis Xavier was a missionary
Born in 1506, he was a student when he decided to become a priest. St. Ignatius of Loyola was his spiritual mentor. They were among the founders of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits.
He is known as a great evangelizer and missionary who helped establish Christianity in India and Japan. He died in December 1552 at age 46 as he arrived in China.
2. The relic is normally displayed in Rome
The arm, detached from St. Francis Xavier’s body in 1614, is venerated in part because St. Francis Xavier is thought to have baptized more than 100,000 people with it.
The relic is normally on display in a reliquary at the Jesuit mother church, the Chiesa del Gesù, in Rome. The remainder of his body is entombed in Goa, India.
3. The pilgrimage is part of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebration
The “relic pilgrimage,” which began on Jan. 3 in Quebec City, is being organized as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Jesuits in Canada and Catholic Christian Outreach are collaborating on the project, which will include stops in 15 Canadian cities.
4. Venerating relics is a long-standing practice
Catholics have long venerated relics.
“Within Christianity, the practice rests on the belief that God came to humanity in the flesh, namely in the physical person,” according to Catholic Christian Outreach.
“Important sacraments of the faith also include water, wine and bread — physical elements that take on spiritual, supernatural value and characteristics. Similarly, the relics of saints provide for a tangible experience of God’s graces.
“Relics, in a tangible way, provide an opportunity for a special connection with that saint because their body matters to God and some day will be reunited with their soul.”
5. The relic will be displayed in Montreal and Kahnawake
The relic arrived in Montreal on Sunday. On Monday, it will be on display for public veneration at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, 1085 de la Cathédrale St., near the Bonaventure métro station, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with masses at 12:10 p.m. and 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, the relic will be transported to three other venues:
St. Francis Xavier Mission/ Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha at Kahnawake Catholic Church, 1 River Rd., Kahnawake (9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, 4455 West Broadway St. in NotreDame-de-Grâce (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Church of the Gesù, 1202 Bleury St. in downtown Montreal (5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)