Navotas church gets piece of Jesus’ cross, other relics

PRECIOUS RELICS Fr. James Anthony del Rosario says that Navoteños now have relics from the Holy Land connected to the birth and sacrifice of Jesus. —NIKKA G. VALENZUELA

Religious relics from the Holy Land, including a piece of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, arrived at their new home in Navotas City on Wednesday.

The relics from Jerusalem entrusted to the Sto. Niño de Pasion, a quasi-parish under the Diocese of Caloocan, included stones from the cave of Nativity in Bethlehem and Calvary hill. These were given by Franciscan priests.

The church also received 14 reliquaries bearing small stones from the sacred trail of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the path Jesus trod on his way to his crucifixion.

The piece of the True Cross, on the other hand, was from Augustinian friars in Rome.

Fr. James Anthony del Rosario, parish priest, told the Inquirer that while on a visit to Europe, he asked for relics to bring home to the Philippines, saying not all Filipinos could afford to go on a pilgrimage abroad.

The relics came with certificates of authenticity, Del Rosario said, adding, “Every time you touch the relic, you will know that Jesus is not just an idea. He gave Himself to the world.”

The veneration schedule during Lent is 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 2-5 p.m. and 7-7:30 p.m.