Relic of St. Francis Xavier in Australia
September 21, 2012
As part of the Year of Grace initiative that began in Australian dioceses on Pentecost Sunday, the right arm of St. Francis Xavier has been transported to Australia and will be venerated by the faithful in nearly two dozen dioceses between September 16 and December 3, his feast day.
The saint, whose arm is typically enshrined in Church of the Gesù in Rome, “has always held a special place in the life of Catholics in Australia,” explained Auxiliary Bishop Peter Comensoli of Sydney. “When we were a missionary country, he was (along with St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus) our co-patron. Three cathedrals and many churches and schools are named after him. He continues to inspire us as a tremendous example of a missionary and evangelizer.”
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Further information:
- Pilgrimage of Grace (Archdiocese of Sydney)
- St Francis Xavier relic tours Australia for Year of Grace (Vatican Radio)
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