Filipinos will get the chance to view and venerate the relics of Pope John Paul II from April to June.
Two sets of relics, from Rome and Poland, will be put on display starting April 1. John Paul, the longest serving pope, will be canonized on April 27, 2014.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the relics will be displayed in 10 locations.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the Church hopes to strengthen the people’s awareness of the life of John Paul.
Bro. Dave de la Cruz, organizer of the “Totus Tuus Tour,” a Latin phrase that means totally yours, John Paul’s apostolic motto, said the relics include the pope’s bloodstain, hair strands, papal zucchetto and part of his cassock.
Fifty replicas of the Pope’s skullcap, purificator, chasuble and a stole that he used during the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila in 1981 will also be exhibited, he added.
Cruz said there are three kinds of relics: items that were used by the saint such as books, clothes, including his robe, and even remains such as hair, bones or blood.
The schedule of the relics’ tour:
April 1: Radio Veritas Chapel, West Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City
April 20 to May 18: John Paul II College of Davao, Matina Aplaya, Davao City
April 27 to May 18: BL, John Paul 2nd Parish, (and Eastwood City Mall), Eastwood City, Bagumbayan Quezon City
May 9 to 12: St. Joseph Parish, Upper Bicutan, Taguig City
May 13 to 16: Holy Cross Parish Matingain, Lemery Batangas
May 17 to 18: (Birthday of St. John Paul 2nd) Holy Family Parish, Kamias, Quezon City
May 23 to 25: Immaculate Conception Parish, GSIS Village, Project 8, Quezon City
May 26 to 29: Santa Maria dela Cabeza Mission Station, Barangay Mangoso, Sigma Capiz
May 31 to June 1: St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City.