This celebration is considered the most important feast after the solemnity of St. Anthony on June 13.
Padua – Italy (20/02/2022 6:01 PM Gaudium Press) On Sunday, February 20, the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony, located in the Italian city of Padua, will celebrate the Feast of the Relocation of the Saint’s Relics, popularly known as the “Feast of the Tongue.”
Discovery of the incorrupt tongue of Saint Anthony
This celebration is considered the most important Antonian feast after the solemnity of St. Anthony on June 13. It marks 759 years since the discovery of the Saint’s incorrupt tongue.
On April 8, 1263, during the survey of the mortal remains of St. Anthony, the Minister General of the Franciscan friars, Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, found the intact tongue of the Saint, who had died more than thirty years previously. Since then, the tongue has been preserved and venerated in a reliquary kept in the Treasure Chapel.
Solemn Mass and blessing with the relics
Several Masses were celebrated during the day. At 11 AM, local time, a solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided by Monsignor Fabio Dal Cin, Archbishop-Prelate of Loreto and Pontifical Delegate of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua. Later in the afternoon, the traditional Sunday 6 PM Mass was presided by Fr. Roberto Brandinelli, Minister of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua of the Conventual Friars Minor and animated by the Antonianum Music Chapel.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the consecration to St. Anthony took place, concluded by a blessing with a reliquary containing the finger of the Saint. Due to pandemic restrictions, organizers cancelled the traditional procession inside the sanctuary. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
