[First appeared in Herald - 20 November 2014]
MELVYN MISQUITA
20 NOV 2014
PANJIM
Relics of St Francis Xavier have been prized possessions across the world for the past five centuries and many of these relics are encased in beautiful reliquaries.
But not all reliquaries are as valued as the relic itself.
When one parish in the USA appealed for contributions to make a unique reliquary to encase a relic of St Xavier eight decades ago, its reverent parishioners resorted to a magnanimous donation: an incredible display of affection, generosity and commitment to the cause.
Believe it or not, 350 wedding rings, gold and silver jewelry were generously donated by parishioners in 1934. These valuables were then cast into a refining furnace to prepare a magnificent reliquary of solid silver and gold which contains a first class relic (a piece of the body) of St Xavier.
This is the touching story of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish in Providence, Rhode Island (USA), where the reliquary is described in the parish website as “one of the prized possessions of the parish.”
The reliquary’s origin was printed in the Centennial Book of Blessed Sacrament Parish, but the story is described in detail in the ‘Providence Visitor’ (now known as The Rhode Island Catholic), the diocesan newspaper of the Diocese of Providence.
In its issue dated November 16, 1934, a copy of which is displayed on the parish website, the newspaper report states that the reliquary, “in which there are more than 350 wedding rings was completed for the Church of the Blessed Sacrament,” was formally blessed at devotions to St Francis Xavier on December 16, 1934.
“The reliquary, made entirely of sterling silver and gold, contains a first-class relic of St Xavier to whom parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church pay special devotion on the third Sunday of each month.”
According to the newspaper report, the reliquary was “designed from suggestions of (then) pastor, Rev. Dr W A Doran” and its construction had begun about eight months earlier “after a solicitation of the same duration in the parish for gold and silver articles.”
Responding generously to the cause, the parishioners donated 350 wedding rings, watches, bracelets, chains and other jewelry to the church.
Describing the magnanimous generosity of the parish, the ‘Providence Visitor’ reported: “The gathering of the jewelry and the encasement befitting the spiritual significance of the relic was entered into wholeheartedly by the parishioners. Many gave family heirlooms to be melted and refined for use in the execution of the reliquary.”
The ‘Providence Visitor’ also included a detailed description of the reliquary. “The main feature of the shrine is a sterling silver hand holding the relic of the saint which is encased in a delicately chased cross of gold. The hand is supported by a round base flanked by three angels holding respectively the emblems of Faith, Hope and Charity.”
“Between the angels are three shields, one bearing the coat of arms of (then) Bishop Keough, another the coat of arms of St Ignatius of Loyola and the third, the emblem of the Jesuit order. The reliquary stands 23 inches and weighs 22 pounds.”
“The relic case is in the middle of the cross held by the silver hand. Around the circle containing the relic is a row of rhinestones.”
“The three shields at the base are carved out of solid silver and enameled. They are set in silver, oxidized finish, and produce a striking contrast with the shields on which they are applied.”
“Around the base of the hand, the name ‘St Francis Xavier, S.J.,’ in raised letters, is in white gold, standing out in its original color in contrast with the fine gold plating of the rest of that portion of the reliquary,” the newspaper report adds.
It was also mentioned that the reliquary would be placed on the altar each month at the devotions to St Francis Xavier in the church.
The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish in Rhode Island (USA) has greeted Goans on the occasion of the XVII Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier from November 22, 2014 to January 4, 2015.
When Herald got in touch with the Blessed Sacrament Church, its parish secretary Liz Corsini sent photos of their prized reliquary encasing the relic of St Francis Xavier.
When informed that Goa would commemorate the Exposition in Old Goa, Corsini wrote: “On behalf of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish, the pastor Fr Charles Grondin conveys his blessings and good wishes (to the people of Goa).”
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MELVYN MISQUITA
20 NOV 2014
PANJIM
 |
| The beautiful reliquary
encasing a relic of St Francis Xavier is a prized possession of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish in Providence, Rhode Island (USA). |
But not all reliquaries are as valued as the relic itself.
When one parish in the USA appealed for contributions to make a unique reliquary to encase a relic of St Xavier eight decades ago, its reverent parishioners resorted to a magnanimous donation: an incredible display of affection, generosity and commitment to the cause.
Believe it or not, 350 wedding rings, gold and silver jewelry were generously donated by parishioners in 1934. These valuables were then cast into a refining furnace to prepare a magnificent reliquary of solid silver and gold which contains a first class relic (a piece of the body) of St Xavier.
This is the touching story of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish in Providence, Rhode Island (USA), where the reliquary is described in the parish website as “one of the prized possessions of the parish.”
The reliquary’s origin was printed in the Centennial Book of Blessed Sacrament Parish, but the story is described in detail in the ‘Providence Visitor’ (now known as The Rhode Island Catholic), the diocesan newspaper of the Diocese of Providence.
In its issue dated November 16, 1934, a copy of which is displayed on the parish website, the newspaper report states that the reliquary, “in which there are more than 350 wedding rings was completed for the Church of the Blessed Sacrament,” was formally blessed at devotions to St Francis Xavier on December 16, 1934.
“The reliquary, made entirely of sterling silver and gold, contains a first-class relic of St Xavier to whom parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church pay special devotion on the third Sunday of each month.”
According to the newspaper report, the reliquary was “designed from suggestions of (then) pastor, Rev. Dr W A Doran” and its construction had begun about eight months earlier “after a solicitation of the same duration in the parish for gold and silver articles.”
Responding generously to the cause, the parishioners donated 350 wedding rings, watches, bracelets, chains and other jewelry to the church.
Describing the magnanimous generosity of the parish, the ‘Providence Visitor’ reported: “The gathering of the jewelry and the encasement befitting the spiritual significance of the relic was entered into wholeheartedly by the parishioners. Many gave family heirlooms to be melted and refined for use in the execution of the reliquary.”
The ‘Providence Visitor’ also included a detailed description of the reliquary. “The main feature of the shrine is a sterling silver hand holding the relic of the saint which is encased in a delicately chased cross of gold. The hand is supported by a round base flanked by three angels holding respectively the emblems of Faith, Hope and Charity.”
“Between the angels are three shields, one bearing the coat of arms of (then) Bishop Keough, another the coat of arms of St Ignatius of Loyola and the third, the emblem of the Jesuit order. The reliquary stands 23 inches and weighs 22 pounds.”
“The relic case is in the middle of the cross held by the silver hand. Around the circle containing the relic is a row of rhinestones.”
“The three shields at the base are carved out of solid silver and enameled. They are set in silver, oxidized finish, and produce a striking contrast with the shields on which they are applied.”
“Around the base of the hand, the name ‘St Francis Xavier, S.J.,’ in raised letters, is in white gold, standing out in its original color in contrast with the fine gold plating of the rest of that portion of the reliquary,” the newspaper report adds.
It was also mentioned that the reliquary would be placed on the altar each month at the devotions to St Francis Xavier in the church.
US parish greets Goans on Exposition
The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish in Rhode Island (USA) has greeted Goans on the occasion of the XVII Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier from November 22, 2014 to January 4, 2015.
When Herald got in touch with the Blessed Sacrament Church, its parish secretary Liz Corsini sent photos of their prized reliquary encasing the relic of St Francis Xavier.
When informed that Goa would commemorate the Exposition in Old Goa, Corsini wrote: “On behalf of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish, the pastor Fr Charles Grondin conveys his blessings and good wishes (to the people of Goa).”
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