By RALPH JOHN MIJARES
ROXAS City — Relics of newly canonized saints were taken to Capiz yesterday.
The solemn public exposition and veneration of the relics of Saints John Paul II and John XXIII and Blessed Ivan Merz will run through Thursday, May 29.
Among the 15 relics were St. John Paul II’s hair strands and blood on a cloth during his surgery; St. John XXIII’s cassock, which he wore during his funeral; and a bone of Blessed Ivan Merz.
They were displayed at the Sta. Maria de la Cabeza Mission Station in Brgy. Mangoso in the municipality of Sigma.
Veneration is from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Masses will be held every 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. (healing mass).
The relics will be taken to Manila at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, May 30.
The public exposition and veneration of the relics is part of the Totus Tuus Tour, which reached Iloilo from May 20 to 22.
When in Iloilo, the relics were displayed at the chapel of the University of San Agustin on Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City.
Both saints served as popes until their death. They were canonized last month.
From the Roxas City Airport yesterday morning, the relics made stops at churches in the municipalities of Ivisan, Sapian and Mambusao before heading to Brgy. Mangoso, Sigma.
Primarily, the Totus Tuus Tour aims to introduce the new saints, Bro. Dave Caesar Dela Cruz, vice postulator for the cause of the canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz, said in a press conference yesterday.
Sta. Maria de la Cabeza Mission Station is under Fr. Ray Bernard Martinez./PN
