With US troops deployed around the world on a variety of missions, American personnel are receiving a spiritual boost from the Los Angeles-based Apostolate for Holy Relics (AHR).
Working with the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA in Washington DC, the AHR is sending relics of the Catholic saints considered patrons of the armed forces, to bases around the world, allowing troops at home and abroad a moment of prayerful reflection.
The relics of Saints Anthony of Padua (patron of sailors), Therese of Lisieux, patron of pilots and air crews, and Ignatius of Loyola, patron of soldiers, began a tour military bases with an opening celebration at the Archdiocese for Military Services Chapel at 1025 Michigan Avenue NE Washington, DC 20017 on April 22nd at 6:00 pm. The event was presided over by Archbishop Broglio.
"Under pressure and in circumstances that most civilians cannot even imagine, our troops have to deal not only with the constant reality of death but - in addition - with the ups and downs of life as well," said AHR President Thomas Serafin. "Our hope is that the visit of these relics will allow our troops a special moment of prayerful reflection and will give them a sense that we at home stand behind them in prayer as well as in word."
More than a dozen stops are currently scheduled and more are being added as the relics are requested by bases worldwide. A complete schedule is available at [url=http://www.relictour.org]http://www.relictour.org[/url].
The tour is being co-sponsored and funded by the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.
The Apostolate for Holy Relics is a California non- profit organization that has previously organized tours of relics throughout the United States, drawing hundreds of thousands of people.
