The relic of Saint Jude Thaddeus arrived in Mexico on Monday, July 29, making its first stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, where thousands of parishioners packed the premises to attend the first mass of the itinerary planned for the country.
What is a relic?
The veneration of relics has its roots in the time of Christian persecutions, when martyrs were honored in the catacombs, cemeteries where Christians gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and protect the sacred remains. This practice was extended over time to include all those considered saints by the Church.
Relics are classified into three grades: first grade, which are fragments of the saint’s body; second grade, which include personal objects of the saint or associated with his suffering; and third grade, which are objects touched by a first grade relic or by the tomb of a saint.
The Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church establishes that sacred relics cannot be sold, and those of great veneration cannot be transferred without permission from the Apostolic See. These norms underline the importance of treating relics with the utmost respect and devotion.
Beyond the miracles that God can grant through the saints, the essential thing is to get close to them to be inspired by their lives, to imitate their holiness and to aspire to live in holiness ourselves.
History of the relics of St. Jude
After the Edict of Milan in 317, where the Emperor Constantine granted freedom of worship to Christians, numerous basilicas and churches were built in Rome.
In the area of the Sant’ Angelo bridge, there was a laurel orchard called the “laurel grove” (Lauri in Latin), where there was a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Europa. Later, a church was built on that site, called San Salvatore in Lauro.
Opposite this basilica, on the present-day Via Dei Coronari, there was another church dedicated to St. Jude, popularly known as the church of “San Tadeo”. Documents from the time indicate that this church functioned as a parish from 1200 to 1825. In this parish, the relic of the arm of St. Jude Thaddeus was venerated, which was given to Prince Orsini by Pope Innocent X when the relics of the martyrs Simon and Thaddeus were transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica.
In 1830, due to the deterioration of the church of San Tadeo, the parish seat was transferred to the basilica of San Salvatore in Lauro. At that time, the parish priest Monsignor Sirolli, who later became Bishop, carefully transferred the relics to the new parish. During the dismantling of the main altar, the relic of the apostle was found along with its document of authenticity.
This relic, placed in a reliquary in the form of a blessing arm, has been venerated in the Basilica of San Salvatore in Lauro ever since. Faithful from all over the world come to this basilica to pay homage to the precious relics of the apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus.
Full itinerary
July 29, 2024: Arrival at Mexico City International Airport.
July 29-31: Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City.
August 1 and 2: Church of San Hipólito.
August 3 and 4: Parish of San Judas Tadeo, Cuemanco.
August 5: Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Tlacopac.
August 6: Sanctuary of San Judas Tadeo, Diocese of Azcapotzalco.
August 7 and 8: Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus, Interlomas, Huixquilucan.
August 9 and 10: Cathedral of Saint Buenaventura, Cuautitlán.
August 11: Cathedral of Xochimilco.
August 12 and 13: Parish of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Saint Jude Thaddeus, Izcalli.
August 14 and 15: Parish of Saint Jude Thaddeus, Chapel of Calvary, Ecatepec.
August 16 and 17: Parish of Christ of the Valley and Saint Francis of Assisi, Nezahualcóyotl.
August 18: Cathedral of the Divine Redeemer, Teotihuacán.
August 19 and 20: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Texcoco.
August 21 and 22: Cathedral of the Valley of Chalco, Parish of Saint James the Apostle in Chalco.
August 23 and 24: Parish of San José, Tlaxcala.
August 25 and 26: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Tehuacán.
August 27 and 28: Cathedral of Puebla.
Will there be a charge to see the relic?
The Archdiocese of Mexico has confirmed that the faithful will not be charged to venerate the relic of Saint Jude Thaddeus during its tour of the country. Currently, the relic is in the Metropolitan Cathedral, where there are many restrictions, but starting Thursday it will be in other parishes, where the faithful will have more facilities to see it.}
Source: expansion
