Relic of St. Clare to visit Cebu

CEBU, Philippines -  The renowned relic of St. Clare of Assisi, who has manifested a number of miracles, will visit Cebu on February 22.

Sister Juanita Marie Ilio of Poor Clare Monastery in Consolacion said this would be the relic’s first tour in Asia out of Italy and the first stopover is Cebu as it is the country’s cradle of Christianity.

Ilio said the relic, a bone from the cranium which is probably part of St. Clare’s eye socket, will stay in Cebu for four days before going to Davao and Manila. The relic will stay in the country for two months, she said.

In the life of St. Clare, Ilio said many miracles have been documented, one of which was the defense of the Italian city of Assisi from marauders.

Placing the Blessed Sacrament on the enemies’ direction and prostrating herself as a human shield for her sisters, Clare entrusted herself and her people to God’s protection, and the enemies fled as if driven away by an invisible force.

In Feb 17, 1958, Pope Pius XII also designated Clare as Patron Saint of Television after her reported miraculous vision and hearing of the Mass from the confines of her room several miles away when she was too ill to attend a church worship.

Clare, who had a rags-to-riches life story, was known for her piety and love for the poor. Her feast is on August 11.

The relic is expected to arrive at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the afternoon of Feb. 22 and will be transported to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where a Mass will be celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at 6 p.m.

It will be open for public veneration until 10 pm.

The following day, a 8 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by Msgr. Roberto Alesna before the relic will be transferred to the Poor Clare Monastery in Tayud, Consolacion, where it will remain for public veneration until Feb. 25.

The pilgrim relic’s sojourn in the country is part of the year-round 800th year celebration of the founding of the Order of St. Clare. (FREEMAN)