The relics of St Anthony of Padua attracted hundreds of people to Paisley’s Cathedral last Sunday.
Between 700 and 800 people packed St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley to venerate the beloved saint. The relics were due to travel across the North of England this week before stopping off at Shrewsbury cathedral today, Birmingham cathedral tomorrow and on Sunday at St Anthony’s church, Forest Gate, London.
Sunday began with a procession of the saint’s relics through the streets to St Mirin’s Cathedral, followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop John Keenan, who described the saint as “one of the truly great disciples of St Francis of Assisi”.
In his homily Bishop Keenan said that St Anthony was “a famous preacher and worker of miracles in his own day and, throughout the eight centuries since his death, has generously come to the assistance of the faithful who invoke him”.
He continued: “Sometimes as Catholics we wonder why we honour the relics of our saints. When we have to explain it to ourselves or to others not of our faith we struggle to put into words this act of piety that means so much to us and is so much part of our lives of faith.
“Yet the practice itself has remained persistent and vibrant among God’s people, who continue to flock in numbers to be close to the flesh, bones and belongings of men and women they knew to be holy and who have gone before them to their reward. They know that by being close to their bodies they will be somehow uniquely blessed by their intercession.”
St Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese priest and Franciscan friar who died in 1231.
Widower is Aberdeen’s first new priest in five years
A widower is the first priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Aberdeen in five years.
Fr Peter Macdonald was ordained last week at St Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Hugh Gilbert.
In his lifetime, Fr Peter has been a husband, deacon and now a priest. After his wife died in 2011, he began to explore the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood.
He told the Scottish Catholic Observer: “Like all journeys what does make it so special are those whom we encounter and who accompany us on the way.
“The only person who really knew me was my dear, very patient wife Bernadette, who travelled with me on the journey for 43 years, 39 as husband and wife. We lived a life which revolved around faith and family, family and faith.”
Bishop Hugh Gilbert commended Fr Macdonald’s “sterling service” to the diocese and said: “One can only wonder at Peter’s odyssey.
“It is a privilege for me as bishop to be conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders on such a man.
“May the diocese be blessed by many years of his priestly ministry,” the bishop said.
Archdiocese unveils coat of arms
The Archdiocese of Cardiff is marking its centenary with an official coat of arms. The new design also comes on the fifth anniversary of Archbishop George Stack’s installation as Archbishop of Cardiff. The design features a stag’s head and a bale of hay with the slogan: Urget Caritas Christi Nos – “the love of Christ compels us”. The archdiocese was founded by Benedict XV in 1916.
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