Pilgrims climb stairs to reach a large cross atop Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain) overlooking the village of Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, October 22, 2023. The cross marks the place where in 1981 a vision of Mary was reported by six young people. Photo: OSV News/Cillian Kelly. St Kevin’s Church, Kilnamanagh will welcome Archbishop Dermot Farrell to the parish on Sunday, May 24 to inaugurate a new shrine containing a historic Roman reliquary, a gift which parish priest Fr Frank Drescher described as “a blessing”.
The reliquary holds a relic of the True Cross, and comes from the private collection of a late Italian priest. The small fragment inside the reliquary is identified as ‘From the Wood of the Most Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ’.
In a statement ahead of the inauguration, Fr Drescher expressed his gratitude that the parish of Kilnamanagh-Castleview has received this relic. “It reminds us in a very direct way of the love Christ showed on Calvary and of the hope his sacrifice gives to us and to the whole world.”
“A place of prayer before the reliquary of the True Cross can help people to remember that the Lord walks with them through the ups and downs of life,” added Fr Drescher, expressing his hope that the shrine will be a place where people can alleviate their burdens.
Continuing, he said “Relics do not point to themselves. They point to Christ. This fragment of the True Cross invites us to look again at the mystery of the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection, and to find hope in that mystery.”
Mass to celebrate the inauguration of the shrine will take place at 11am on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, and all are welcome to join the celebration.