ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A special ceremony in historic St. Augustine was held Tuesday night to welcome a historic relic on loan from the Vatican for the 450th anniversary celebration of the city, and the founding of America's first Catholic parish.
The reception of the relic, an actual finger from Augustine of Hippo took place in a ceremony of Solemn Vespers in the Cathedral Basilica. Father Tom Willis presided and explained the importance of the relic's arrival.
"November 13th in year 354 AD, Aurelius Augustinius was born into North Africa, present day Algeria," Willis said.
Willis held up Augustine's life as an example of redemption and God's love. It was an honor for the Diocese of St. Augustine to welcome the relic, which dates back to 430 A.D.
"Having this relic of our patron saint Augustine should really humble us. The story of Augustine's life should inspire us that God wants his grace to work in each of us. We were good in the eyes of God, thus he choose to redeem us through his son Jesus Christ," Willis said.
It took more than four years of planning and coordination for the worshiped relic to make its way to St. Augustine and it also marks the first time such a relic has ever come to the United States.
"By allowing Augustine to use the gift of free will, God was patient to allow him the time he needed to find the source of true love. Isn't that the story that all of us know? " Willis said.
The relic of St. Augustine will remain at Cathedral Basilica for about three months until the end of the 450th celebration in September.