Mexico City, Mexico, Oct 3, 2007 / 09:06 am
The relics of St. Rafael Guizar y Valencia, the first Mexican bishop to be canonized, are being venerated in the chapel that bears his name in the Diocese of Juarez October 2-13.
Father Roberto Luna Valenzuela explained that the relics include the heart of the saint, “which remains incorrupt due to his holiness,” and that they would be permanently displayed in Veracruz.
The saint’s heart will be at the parish of Corpus Christi and later will be venerated at other parishes such as Cristo Rey, San Juan Apostol y Evangelista, Santa Rosa, Santo Tomas Apostol, Mater Dolorosa, San José de Lomas, among others.
“A small procession will take place so that Bishop Renato Ascencio Leon of Juarez can transfer the relics from the parish of Santo Tomas Apostol to the chapel that was placed under the protection of the Mexican saint,” Father Luna said.
The relics “will encourage Catholics in Juarez to respond to the call to holiness that God gives to all of his children,” he added.