Starting Monday and through Saturday, a glass urn with Anthony’s remains will be on display in the chapel of his tomb.
The display marks the liturgical feast of the transfer of St. Anthony, also known as the feast of the tongue. The Feb. 15 feast commemorates the first time his remains were moved, April 8, 1263, under the direction of St. Bonaventure, and the final transfer, Feb. 15, 1350.
When St. Anthony’s coffin was opened at the first transfer, some 30 years after his burial, most of his body was found to have returned to dust. However his tongue remained fresh, seen as a sign of his gift of preaching.
Anthony’s relics were last displayed in 1981, marking the 750th anniversary of his death.
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On the Net:
Information on the relics display: www.santantonio.org/ostensionedelsanto2010/ing/pagina.asp?id=79
The Basilica of St. Anthony: www.basilicadelsanto.org/ing/visita/storia.asp
