Thousands Flock to Montclair Exhibit to Pray Before 200 Sacred Relics

After waiting in a line that stretched over two blocks, devoted visitors explored an expansive exhibit featuring authenticated artifacts, including a fragment of the True Cross and a portion of the Virgin Mary’s veil. Many individuals pressed personal items against the reliquaries — thereby transforming them into third-class relics suitable for personal prayer at home — while others raised photos of loved ones to symbolically entrust them to the religious figures’ care. Afterward, all were welcomed into the church to pray and participate in the oratory’s afternoon Mass.

“I was happy to see so many people from New Jersey, New York, and all over because this is a great opportunity to learn more about the saints,” said Father Giandomenico Flora, OLMC’s rector, who heard confessions from exhibit guests throughout the afternoon. “The saints were people like us, but with the help of God, they were able to do so much. We should all answer God’s call to holiness like they did because then we’ll find joy and peace in life. It’s not about what you have, it’s about what you do.”

The relics were provided by Joseph Santoro, the International Crusade for Holy Relics’ (ICHR) regional delegate to the U.S. Santoro has acquired about 400 holy objects over approximately two decades in support of the ICHR’s mission of preserving relics and promoting their veneration. Now that this event has concluded, Santoro is planning a second exhibition at OLMC this fall featuring more of his collection. He also hopes to provide additional veneration opportunities at other locations.

For more information about Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory, visit www.olmcmontclair.org. 

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. It includes 212 parishes, 73 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.