MASANTOL -- The relics of St. Michael will be making a visit at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Barangay San Nicolas in this town on Tuesday, June 11.
The relics of St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of this town, are considered second class as these are stones or parts of the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano which the saint consecrated himself when he appeared to an Italian bishop in the year 490.
According to Catholic history, Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano is the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the St. Michael the Archangel that became an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages.
During the said year, St. Michael the Archangel was said to have appeared several times to the Bishop of Sipontum near a sanctuary cave, instructing that the cave be dedicated to Christian worship and promising protection of the nearby town of Sipontum from pagan invaders.
These apparitions are also the first appearances of Saint Michael in Western Europe.
Commonly known as the St. Michael Relic Stones, the holy remains which are said to also contain the footprints of the saints are used priests and laity as a sacramental that helps deepen a person’s love to God through the intercession through St. Michael the Archangel.
The St. Michael the Archangel Parish under the guidance of the new parish priest Rev. Fr. Roland Moraleja and in partnership with the local government here, will be welcoming the arrival of holy relic at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Faithfuls and devotees are invited to join the ceremony and the holy mass that will be celebrated inside the parish church. Participants are urged to wear red top in honor of the patron saint.