Visit of the Relics of the Passion

Dear Friends,
Please forgive my delay in sharing all the wonderful blessings from the visit of the Relics of the Passion on Wednesday.  It has been a difficult task to put into words the beauty of the evening.  This visit was a precious gift to the Children's Rosary. We are extremely grateful to the Apostolate for Holy Relics for adding St. Helena Church in West Hartford, Connecticut to their Tour of Mercy.  The children were so grateful that they were able to to help in hosting such special pieces from Our Lord's life.  While many children were able to attend, we carried all of you who live far away with us in our hearts.  

The children naturally seemed to love their role as hosts for the evening.  Children arrived early and quickly took to their places at each of the four entrances.  As each person arrived they were greeted and given a program and a blessed Children's Rosary bookmark.  People slowly made their way in and by 7PM the Church was full.  Eleven children volunteered to process into the Church with the relics.  They were each paired with a member of the Knight's of Columbus Color Guard.  The children carried symbols of each of the relics while the Knights held the relics. As the formal program began each relic was described and a reflection read about the relic.  
The relics included:
A piece of the True Cross, which was discovered by St. Helena
A piece of the Holy Table from the room where the Last Supper took place
A piece of the Column of Flagellation
A piece of the Crown of Thorns
A replica of the Holy Nail, fashioned using filings from the true nails, making it a relic of a lesser class.
A relic from the head of St. Longinus, the centurion who pierced the side of Christ
A picture of (the effigy of) the Veil of Veronica touched to the original with a Vatican seal attesting to the fact.
A piece of the exterior wrapping fro the Shroud of Turin
First class relics of each of the12 Apostles.

During each reading a relic was held up by a Knight and a member of the Children's Rosary elevated a symbol.  In some cases two children held symbols of each relic.  One of the things that was particularly evident to those attending was the care and respect that the children took in honoring Our Lord.  Denise Serafini who represented the Apostolate for Holy Relics that evening shared:
"I can't thank the (children) enough for the reverent way in which they took part.  The example that they set is a true indication of just how much Our Lady loves them for their devotion."

After all the meditations were read for the 9 relics there was time for personal veneration. A line was formed and slowly each person had a chance for personal veneration.  Children came forward with their families.  Two of our members Nathan and Hannah came with their grandmother.  Each was blessed with the relic of the true cross over their heart.  The Scripture quote came to mind several times that evening, "Let the children come to me"(Mark 10:14).  Indeed, the children did come.  These children knew well about the Passion through their prayers of the Rosary.  They came to love and console Our Lord.  In their innocence and purity the simplicity of their gifts touched many hearts.  

During the veneration I was able to come before each of the 9 relics and recommend all the members of the Children's Rosary.  I also prayed for all the intentions submitted to the Children's Rosary, holding our intention sheet to each relic.  In a special way all the hearts with the names of those joining our Year of Mercy Novena of Prayer and Fasting were touched to each relic and those individuals lifted up in prayer.  The evening extended several hours and each person was able to spend time praying before each relic.  Some of the children and adults felt moved to go up multiple times.  Pastor Fr. Crowley and Fr. Dawson offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the time of veneration.  Many families availed themselves of this grace.  

The evening was very special. The Children's Rosary wishes to express our gratitude first to Our Lord for such a blessing to be able to honor his Passion in such a special way.  We wish to thank the Apostolate for Holy Relics for accepting our invitation to come.  A special thank you to the Knights of Columbus Color Guard for being part of the evening and in a special way mentoring the children.  We wish to thank Fr. Crowley and Fr. Dawson and the Parish of St. Helena who helped in welcoming this visit of the Relics of the Passion.  A thank you to all the musicians who shared their talents.  One of the last people to venerate the relics was the gentlemen who played the violin.  He brought his instrument to touch each relic.  It was so moving to see such a souls taking what they have been given and using it to glorify God.  We pray that through our Year of Mercy Novena of Prayer and Fasting which began on February 17th that each one of us may say, "Your will be done" and in so doing allow all of our gifts to be used in honor of God.

Your Friend in Christ,
Blythe

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