Posted July 23, 2014

A relic of the recently canonized Pope St. John Paul II was exposed for public veneration between all of the Masses at the Cathedral Basilica from Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, July 20.  At the conclusion of each Mass there was a blessing with the relic, asking for the saint’s heavenly intercession. Hundreds of people came to the Cathedral Basilica for the devotion last weekend.

The relic is of the Holy Father’s blood, which remains in a liquid state. The Knights of Columbus have been entrusted with this relic to foster devotion to Pope St. John Paul II.View video from the mass. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Xavier Hallowell from Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Secane, Delaware County, reads his prayer card after venerating the relic of Pope St. John Paul II.

  • People wait patiently to venerate the relic of Pope St. John Paul II.

  • Father Gregory Gresko from the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., gives out prayer cards that were touched to the relic.

  • The Knights of Columbus stand guard while the relic of St. John Paul II’s blood is venerated after Mass at the cathedral.

  • Hundreds of people flock to the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul to venerate the relic of St. John Paul II.

  • A close-up shot of the reliquary and relic, which is the saint’s blood still in liquified state. He died in 2005.

  • People young and old attended Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul after which they venerated the relic of St. John Paul II.

  • Father Angelo Hernandez, parochial vicar at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, blesses the people with the relic of St. John Paul II at the end of Mass July 19.

  • Father Angelo Hernandez distributes Communion during Mass on Saturday, July 19.