By Priscilla A. Greear - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Over 300 relics of saints, blesseds and other sacred objects from Christian history will be displayed at the front of Epiphany Church from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. The relics come from the personal collection of Father Luis Largaespada, parochial vicar at Epiphany, who has received them as gifts or acquired them over the years.
MIAMI | On the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, Epiphany Church is inviting the faithful of the archdiocese to come, pray and venerate over 300 relics of saints, blesseds and other sacred objects from Christian history.
The relics will be displayed at the front of the church from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. They will be housed in glass and metal reliquaries adorned by candles and miniature white and yellow roses. Saintly hall of famers will include St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Dominic and St. Augustine.
Some of the relics date to the earliest days of the Church, according to organizers, including a bone fragment from St. Andrew, a piece of the True Cross, the veil of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph’s clock.
The exposition is in keeping with a tradition at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where relics are placed on the altar on All Saints Day, said Epiphany’s parochial vicar, Father Luis Largaespada.
He organized this third annual exposition with relics that come primarily from his personal collection.
“We have relics from 2,000 years of the history of the Church that come from different saints and holy people through the ages,” said Father Largaespada. “They are treasures of the Church� It’s a beautiful tradition of our Church that we’re trying to recover.”
Parishioner Allie Pennie said she loves the experience.
“For people who have a patron saint and devotion to a certain saint it’s an opportunity to spend a moment before the reliquary, to pray before the saint as well as to touch something of yours, whether a prayer card or rosary,” she said. “It’s a wonderful way to connect with these beautiful people the Lord gives us to intercede for us and strengthens us in our faith journey.”
Pennie has a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux passed down from her grandmother. Someone facing a big challenge can turn to St. Jude, the patron saint of impossible causes, while those struggling with prayer might look to St. Teresa of Avila.
“She was someone who had difficulty praying until her 40s and she was finally given that gift of prayer,” said Pennie.
Her three children, who attend Epiphany School, also like connecting with heavenly friends. Last year her daughter Brooke, 6, received a card of St. Faustina.
“It helps me if I'm nervous for something. I pray to her and then she helps me,” said Brooke. "It makes me feel safe and protected when I am there with all the saints. Being with the saints reminds me that God is always with me."
Father Largaespada received his first relic, of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, in 2000 from a fellow seminarian. He was given more during a summer internship at Corpus Christi Church in Miami. As he acquired others at shrines and elsewhere, he gladly accepted his role as guardian.
The priest comes from a Nicaraguan family that has been devoted for generations to St. Dominic, the 13th century Spanish founder of the Dominicans. Father Largaespada even credits a childhood healing to his intercession.
The priest stores the relics in reliquaries and a special box in his office and rectory while others rest in the home chapel of his friend Maria Fuentes.
“It’s a great honor to have the saints so close to me through their relics. I expose the relic of the saint of the day if I have it on their feast day. I ask their intercession every day and invite others to read about their lives and find inspiration in their example and writings,” Father Largaespada said. “I just feel they are here with me for a little bit and then they will be passed on to the next generation. Just as they have inspired in the past they can inspire us today. Children love them. They ask questions and feel inspired in a beautiful way.”
His favorites include the Spanish martyrs, mostly priests and laypersons from the Spanish civil war. “All of a sudden they had to be witnesses and die for Christ. They received that grace of martyrdom and were faithful to the Lord.”
The relics have an official seal and a document of authenticity. A first class relic comes from a saint’s remains; a second class relic from a saint’s belongings; and third class relics come from an item that has touched a relic, explained the priest. Some seals come from the postulator general of the saint’s religious order while others come from a bishop, vicar general or the Vatican.
During the exposition, persons may pray quietly or come forward to venerate a relic and touch it with a personal item. Medals and crosses will also be distributed. And participants can pick from over 60 inspirational saint quotes on Saturday, Oct. 31. “These (personal) items become third class relics when they’re in touch with the remains of saints,” Father Largaespada continued. “Many miracles have happened before relics, before the tombs of saints.”
He compared the biblical tradition of intercession to asking a friend for prayer � except that the saints have already made it to heaven. The exposition also is more convenient than a trip to Lisieux, France, and other sites of veneration.
“It’s very moving. They are having an encounter with a friend in a tangible way. It’s an embrace of holiness,” Father Largaespada said. “I’m just basically hoping that through this exposition people will be inspired to ask for the intercession of the saints, to see them as role models that we are so badly in need of in our times. They show us it’s worth it to be Christian, to follow Jesus, and the reward is heaven. It’s possible to be holy. You’re not alone in this life � the saints intercede before us. Even though they suffered, they rejoice in the glory of God.”
For him, the Roman Missal preface captures the communion of saints: “By their way of life you offer us an example, by communion with them you give us companionship. By their intercession, sure support, so that, encouraged by so great a cloud of witnesses, we may run as victors in the race before us and win with them the imperishable crown of glory, through Christ Our Lord.”
Epiphany Church is located at 8235 S.W. 57th Ave., Miami. For information call 305-667-4911 or write [email protected].
