St. Anthony of Padua relics coming to Archdiocese of Newark
On Sunday, June 8, the Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park, NJ will host two first-class relics of Saint Anthony of Padua. They will be present in the church for veneration from 7:30 am to 2 pm, including during the parish Masses at 8 am, 10:30 am, and 12 pm.
Franciscan friars Father Mario Conte and Father Fabio Turrisendo will bring the relics from the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, where the saint’s tomb is located.
Since 1995, friars from Padua have taken turns transporting the relics to different regions of the United States for veneration. Over the last 12 years, they have visited more than 230 parishes.
The simple friar who worked miracles
Although he died almost 800 years ago, Saint Anthony of Padua remains a popular figure of devotion.
Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, he entered the Augustinian order as a teenager, devoting his time to prayer and study. He later requested permission to enter the Franciscan order after seeing the remains of five friars who had been killed on mission in Morocco. Entering the Friars Minor and taking the name Anthony, he journeyed to Morocco with the expectation that he, too, would be martyred; illness forced him to return to Europe a few months later.
Up to that point, Anthony had been considered unremarkable by his peers. When he was asked to give a last-minute sermon to a group of Dominicans and Franciscans, however, his eloquence and passion took them all by surprise. Anthony would eventually preach all over Italy and into France.
Many miracles were attributed to Anthony during his lifetime, including extraordinary healings and revivals of the dead. It was even said that Jesus appeared to him in the form of a child. That is why images of the saint often show him with the Infant Jesus, who is depicted caressing his face.
When Anthony died in Padua on June 13, 1231, thousands came to view his body. More miracles occurred. Just a year after his death, Pope Gregory IX officially declared him a saint.
Still impacting lives
Fervent devotion to Saint Anthony continues to this day. He is renowned for being the saint who answers people’s most basic prayers. Those looking for jobs or housing often request his intercession. People even ask him to help find their lost items.
The Anthonian Association of the Friends of Saint Anthony of Padua, organizer of the tour, invites those attending “to come and ask for Saint Anthony’s intercession for more than the loss of material things, but also for loss of faith, family harmony, health, hope, peace of mind, and trust in others.”
During the relic visit, worshippers will be invited to write down their petitions to Saint Anthony. The friars will bring them back to Padua’s Pontifical Basilica after the tour ends. Placing them at the saint’s tomb, they will pray for St. Anthony’s intercession.
Coinciding with the relic visit, the Church of the Assumption is also hosting a Feast of Saint Anthony celebration from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8, with rides, games, and food. For hours and more information, visit the Church of the Assumption website.
Featured image: Two relics of Saint Anthony of Padua will be present at the Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park, NJ on June 8, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Photos courtesy of the Anthonian Association of the Friends of Saint Anthony of Padua)
