A holy and first class relic of Saint Anthony of Padua will visit numerous parishes in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey from June 10 to June 19. The tour will begin in Roselle Park, NJ, with two church visits in Manhattan, a visit in Stamford, CT, two visits in Yonkers, NY, a visit in Nanuet, NY, and a visit in Paterson, NJ.

The Franciscan way to venerate the holy relic is to make physical contact with the reliquary with a religious item such as rosary beads, medals, crosses, a prayer card and even a photo of someone dear to you. Father Paolo Floretta, a Franciscan OFM Conv Friar, one of fifty-two Friars who lives in the Basilica in Padua, will accompany the relic from the Pontifical Basilica to America in honor of the Saint's June 13 Feast Day. The American tour begins on June 10 in New Jersey and will end on June 19 in Westchester County, NY. For a complete schedule, please contact the USA Representative, Tom Muscatello, at 914.263.8841 or e-mail him at anthonianassociation@gmail.com.

Saint Anthony of Padua died on June 13, 1231. According to the Gregorian calendar, June 13, 1231 was a Friday. Saint Anthony was buried the following Tuesday, June 17, 1231, at Santa Maria Mater Domini. His tomb was later transferred to the present day Basilica when it was completed during that century. It is for this reason why the nine (9) day and thirteen (13) day Saint Anthony novenas, known throughout the Catholic World, are always recited on a Tuesday, the day he was buried.

Saint Anthony of Padua is known to millions of Catholics for 'lost items'. Catholics worldwide ask why he is associated with them. Father Mario Conte, Executive Editor of The Messenger of St. Anthony, and his staff, provide answers and explanations about the saint to the devotees in the English-speaking world. Friar Alessandro Ratti, a travel companion of the saint's relics, like Father Floretta and Father Mario Conte, best known throughout the English-speaking world, offers a succinct explanation. "Saint Anthony's reputation as a finder of lost things dates to an incident in the saint's life. As the legend goes, a novice who had grown tired of religious life decided to leave the Franciscan community. But before leaving, the novice took Saint Anthony's psalter. The book was very important to Anthony, especially since it was before the printing press had been invented. The psalter had notes and comments he made in teaching his students in the Franciscan order. Anthony prayed that the psalter would be found and returned to him. Anthony's prayers were answered: The novice returned the psalter and returned to the order."

Saint Anthony became "Santo Subito" during the 11th month after his death when Pope Gregory IX canonized him as Saint Anthony of Padua. Some saints are canonized a hundred years after their death, and even centuries. No other saint has ever been canonized in such a short period of time after death. Saint Anthony, a Doctor of the Church, is believed by millions of devotees to be a powerful intercessor among the communion of saints. In Father Paolo's sermons throughout the tour, he will ask Catholics to reflect on the communion of saints. "Only God performs miracles. However, the saints lift our voices and prayer petitions to God."

In an address in Cologne, Germany, Thursday, August 18, 2005, Pope Benedict Emeritus said of relics "By inviting us to venerate the mortal remains of the martyrs and saints, the Church does not forget that, in the end, these are indeed just human bones, but they are bones that belonged to individuals touched by the living power of God. The relics of the saints are traces of that invisible but real presence which sheds light upon the shadows of the world and reveals the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst."

Pope Francis, inspired by two Franciscan Saints, Saint Francis and Saint Anthony, both of whom knew each other during their lifetime in the 13th century, said of relics "Relics are parts of the body of a saint which was the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Through this body, the saints practiced heroic values recognized by the Church." In 2000, when Pope Francis was Bishop Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, the reliquary traveled to the historic city where he carried the reliquary into the streets of the Argentinian capital.

The Parishes will welcome the reliquary of their dear friend and lifelong intercessor, Saint Anthony of Padua. There will be ten (10) glorious days of masses, veneration, novenas, devotions and prayer in honor of his June 13 Feast Day. Prayer petitions will be distributed by Fr. Paolo to allow parishioners to write their prayer petition to the saint. Father Paolo will bring the petitions back to the Basilica in Padua and place the petitions at the tomb of Saint Anthony. The tour officially ends back at the tomb where the Friars will light candles and offer prayers for our intentions. Father Paolo shares "People can reach Jesus Christ through the intercession of saints. Saint Anthony is one of the signs we encounter on our road through life. Saint Anthony was a real person who still gives us direction today. Venerating his relic is a link of love between us and him."

List of Churches and Veneration/Mass Times

June 10, Church of the Assumption, 113 Chiego Place, Roselle Park, NJ
Veneration from 11 AM to 8 PM. Masses at 12 Noon and 7 PM

June 11, St. Francis of Assisi, 135 W. 31st St., Manhattan
Veneration from 3 PM to 7 PM. Masses at 4 PM and 5:15 PM

June 12, St. Francis of Assisi, 135 W. 31st St., Manhattan
Veneration from 10:15 AM to 2 PM and then from 4 PM to 7 PM
Masses at 9:15 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 5 PM 6:15 PM

June 13, St. Francis of Assisi, 135 W. 31st St., Manhattan
Veneration from 7 AM to 8 PM in the Lower Church.
Masses all day long in the Upper Church for the Saint's Feast Day

June 14, The Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, 279 Atlantic St., Stamford, CT
Veneration from 8 AM to 8:30 PM
Masses at 8 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:30 PM

June 15, St. Ann's Church, 31 College Place, Yonkers, NY
Veneration from 11 AM to 8 PM, Masses at 12 noon and 7:30 PM

June 16, The Shrine Church of Most Precious Blood, 113 Baxter St., Manhattan
Veneration from 11:30 AM to 8 PM. Masses at 12:10 PM and 7 PM

June 17, St. Anthony Parish, 36 W. Nyack Rd., Nanuet, NY
Veneration from 6:30 AM to 8 PM, Masses at 6:30 AM, 9 AM and 7 PM

June 18, St. Mary Help of Christians Church, 410 Union Avenue, Paterson, NJ
Veneration from 12 noon until 8 PM. Masses at 5:30 PM and 7 PM

June 19, Church of St. Anthony, 10 Squires Avenue, Yonkers, NY
Masses at 8 AM, 10 AM and 12 Noon. Veneration before and after each mass