Rite of Reception of the Relic of St Alphonsa of India.

Friday 16th Jan 2009.

Cardinal O'Brien Places the Sacred Relic at the New Shrine.

RECEPTION OF RELIC OF ST ALPHONSA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION


On the afternoon of the Feast of St Kentigern, Friday 16 January 2009, Cardinal O’Brien was welcomed by Father Sebastian Kallath VC and his people, along with a gathering of 10 priests of the Syro-Malabar Rite from Scotland and the North of England for the reception of a relic of St Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception into the church of St Philip’s, Livingston one of the churches in Scotland where the Syro-Malabar community regularly worship.



St Alphonsa is the first native Indian saint to be beatified and canonised and devotion to her is increasing at this present time throughout the world.



Speaking to the large congregation the Cardinal described Livingston as the ‘town of the apostles’, having three parishes and churches in the town dedicated to a different apostle, St Andrew, St Peter and St Philip. Now he said St Thomas would be added to that three, being the apostle credited with having brought the Christian faith to India.



“The canonisation of St Alphonsa, following on her life of suffering and her dedication in religious life was indeed an example to all peoples of the world living in exile from their own homes at this present time. Your suffering away from your own homes will indeed have a special meaning as you try to follow in the footsteps of St Alphonsa and ‘grow where you are planted’ by the help of your prayers and the Sacraments”.

St Alphonsa of India.

The Cardinal Incenses the Sacred Relic of St Alphonsa.

Cardinal O'Brien Gives a short Reflection.

Concluding Prayer and Blessing.

Some of the Syro-Malabar community and the Cardinal at the Shrine.

Fr Sebastian and the Choir with His Eminence at the Shrine.

All Photographs taken by and copyright of Paul Mc Sherry.

Photographs can be purchased from paul.mcsherry@ntlworld.com

07770 393960.