Apostolate for Holy Relics tour touches parishioners all over the Diocese Salt Lake City

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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One by one the relics were presented at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Riverton as part of the Apostolate for Holy Relics' "Call from the Crucified Heart" program.

SALT LAKE CITY — As part of the Apostolate for Holy Relics’ “Call from the Crucified Heart” program, eight holy relics visited nine parishes around the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Among the parishes that welcomed the relics was Saint Marguerite in Tooele.

“We will never the know the full impact of the relics that were venerated here at St. Marguerite on May 13, the 100th anniversary of Fatima; however, there certainly were visible signs during and after the presentation that displayed the presence of the Holy Spirit,” said Fr. Ken Vialpando, Saint Marguerite pastor.

The program of the Apostolate of Holy Relics included Gospel readings and meditations accompanied by sacred music. The tour was sponsored by the Utah State Knights of Columbus, which provided a 4th degree honor guard at each of the nine parishes that hosted the relics program from May 12 through May 22.

“During the presentation of the relics and the readings that accompanied this presentation, the church was filled with a strong sense of silence. You could almost hear a pin drop as people listened attentively and meditated prayerfully on each of the relics as they were presented one by one,” Fr. Vialpando said.

Similar to that experience was the one felt at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Orem, where the relics were presented May 17.

“I came to see the relics and to show them to my kids,” said Veronica Gil, a St. Francis parishioner.

Seeing how her children were impacted by seeing the relics was a great experience, she said.

“They kept asking me questions about the origin of the relics, and that melted my heart because it shows a great interest from them in our faith and in learning more about God,” she said.

At St. Marguerite Parish following the presentation, Fr. Vialpando observed how the people patiently  waited in line in order to venerate the relics, he said.

“As they stood directly in front of each relic, they offered their prayers, marriages, children and families to the saints that were represented. To me, it was obvious that each person who venerated a particular saint or holy relic was somehow and in some way able to capture the spirit of God’s presence within the church that night,” he said.

George Gockesck, a St. Francis Xavier parishioner, went to the relics presentation at St. Andrew Parish on May 19. It was the second year that he had the opportunity to venerate the relics.

“This is the Passion of Jesus. It just wows me. It’s amazing how your heart feels when you are here in front of them,” he said.

At Saint Marguerite some people approached Fr. Vialpando to tell him of their experiences.

“Some of the people told me firsthand that they either felt a strong sense of peace within their souls or were moved to tears because of the sacredness, holiness and mystery that was present in the church,” Fr. Vialpando said. “As for me, I firmly believe that the presence of the relics has bathed and will continue to bathe St. Marguerite Parish with God’s grace, peace and light. By opening the doors to the sacred through this relics tour, we were able to open our doors to the grace of God!”

According to the program brochure, the 2017 program was designed to touch hearts by highlighting Christ’s message from various scenes of his Passion.

“As a tribute to Our Lady of Sorrows, and in honor of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Fatima, the program also highlights a perspective of Mary as she accompanied Jesus on the path to Calvary,” the brochure states.