Relics of St. John Mary Vianney
Patron Saint of Priests Arrive for
2nd National Congress of the Clergy

St. John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of priests, and on whose 150th Dies Natalis the Catholic world celebrates the Year for Priests, will be venerated through his relics in time for the Second National Congress of the Clergy on January 25-29, 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Theme of the congress is “Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests,” which the Pope has chosen as the official slogan for the celebration of the “Year of the Priests” (2009-2010). 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines through its Episcopal Commission on the Clergy is organizing the retreat-style national congrees which will be facilitated by Preacher to the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap.

A part of the body together with his stole and breviary relics of St. John Mary Vianney will arrive from France accompanied by two French priests.  The relics will be on display at the congress and in parish churches on January 23 to February 1, 2010.

The exposition and visit of the relics of St. John Mary Vianney will officially begin at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in San Antonio Village, and end at the St. John Mary Vianney Parish in Barangay Cembo, two churches that were decreed “Pilgrim Churches on the Year for Priests.” This means that people who undertake pilgrimages and pious exercises at these churches during the Year for Priests are granted plenary indulgence (under the ordinary conditions) as decreed by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.

The schedule of  the relics’ exposition is as follows:  (January 23) Arrival at NAIA at 9:30 a.m., National Shrine of the Sacred Heart at 11 am; (January 24);  EDSA Shrine at 12 noon; (January 25-29) 2nd National Congress of the Clergy at the World Trade Center; (January 29) Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish at 12 noon; (January 30) Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church/St. John The Baptist Parish at 12 noon; (January 31) St. John Mary Vianney Parish at 12 noon; and (February 1) Departure at NAIA at 11:30 a.m.

St. John MaryVianney (May 8, 1786 – August 4, 1859) was a parish priest in Ars, France.  He is known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish, whose members and pilgrims grew from a mere 200 to around 20,000.  Catholics attribute this phenomenon to Vianney’s saintly life, mortification, and persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession.

http://clergycongress2.org