Large Pilgrim Relics of Saints Clare & Francis of Assisi at Cleveland’s Poor Clare Colettine Nuns Monastery

CLEVELAND, OH, August 2, 2024 – Join the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns of Cleveland, Ohio for a one-of-a- kind Novena beginning August 2nd to celebrate the 830th anniversary of the birth of St. Clare of Assisi. The pilgrim relics of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi will arrive at their monastery for the first-ever tour in North America.

The relics, housed in a beautifully crafted brass reliquary, will be available for veneration during each day of the novena. “With the arrival of these two exceptionally large pilgrim relics of our holy Father, St. Francis, and our holy Mother, St. Clare, who were known to have an intense devotion to the Holy Eucharist,” observed Mother Dolores, P.C.C., “this year’s novena promises to foster a unique atmosphere conducive to personal prayer and reflection.” A presentation will be made each day of the novena at Benediction.

The custodian of the relics is Rev. Joseph Marquis, Pastor of Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church in Livonia, Michigan. Father Joseph is the founder of All Saints Shrine, located within his parish church.

There he hosts pilgrimages and individual group tours where an estimated 270 first class relics are housed in custom-designed oak cabinets, formally blessed by His Grace, the Most Reverend Robert Pipta, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, OH, on the Sunday of All Saints, May 26, 2024.