Tucked away on Troy Hill in Pittsburgh, is a beautiful chapel
with over 5000 religious relics. This collection is second in number only to
the Vatican. Living here all my life, I
can’t believe I never ventured to see St Anthony's Chapel. Today was the journey of the relics.
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| 5000 religious relics |
I knew nothing about about relic collections. What I saw were small pieces of bones housed in ornate
holders. These bones were from many saints, the apostles, and supposedly there was a splinter from the True Cross and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns. Oh, and the
tooth of St. Anthony who is the saint for finding lost things. (I should have
been using him a lot over the years because I am perpetually loosing my glasses
and keys. )
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| life sized wood carved Stations of the Cross |
I also enjoyed talking to the sweet "chapel sitter" women who was proud of her chapel and her job of overseeing the place. She informed
me that you can call ahead for a tour and that audio tape tours are available. Maybe it was divine intervention but a personal
tour was starting just as I arrived. You can
also identify all relics in the log books.
This is a unique experience and free to the public. However donations are how the chapel stays open. I would definitely go back
to hear the stations again.
(Thank you to the church for permitting me to take pictures for my blog)
(Thank you to the church for permitting me to take pictures for my blog)
Spiritual Reflection
And I am convinced
that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The
angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow,
and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. (Romans 8:38)
Other Sources