St. Maria Goretti Relics

In March, Pope Francis proclaimed a Holy Year of Mercy beginning Dec. 8 and continuing until Nov. 20, 2016.

To mark the solemn occasion of this Jubilee Year, the Vatican, with the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, has announced the extraordinary pilgrimage of the relics of Saint Maria Goretti.

The relics left her shrine in Nettuno, Italy, last month to begin the Pilgrimage of Mercy Tour. This is the first time that Saint Maria Goretti’s body will travel to the United States,

and only the second time her relics have left Italy.

Saint Maria Goretti Parish, Westfield, Ind., near Indianapolis, is a stop on the tour. Public veneration will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 20, and vespers will begin at 7 p.m. ET. Veneration will continue after vespers until the church doors close at 10 p.m. ET.

For more information, please visit www.smgonline.org/relics.