Blessed John Paul II's relics make tour of PHL 

(Updated 1:05 P.M.) The relics of Blessed John Paul II, who forged a tight bond with Filipino Catholics and visited the Philippines twice, will tour the country in April and May.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Blessed John Paul II's relics, which were on display in Quezon City, will be brought to parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

It said the exhibit is part of the “Totus Tuus Tour” organized by the Office for the Cause for Canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz in the Philippines.

"Totus Tuus" was the pope's apostolic motto that means "totally yours" and expressed his personal consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the other hand, the tour is timed for the late pope's canonization on April 27.

"From his bloodstain and hair strands, to his papal zucchetto (skullcap) and part of his cassock, these important relics will be displayed and will be available for veneration by the faithful," the CBCP said.

2 sets of relics

CBCP quoted event chairman Bro. Dave dela Cruz as saying there will be two sets of relics, many of which are coming from Poland and Rome.

But dela Cruz added about 50 replicas will also be on display, including John Paul II’s skullcap, purificator, bishop’s chasuble, and a priest’s stole used that he used during the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila in 1981.

An initial schedule of the tour includes:

April 1: Radio Veritas Chapel in Quezon City
April 20 to May 18: John Paul II College of Davao, Matina Aplaya, Davao City
April 26 to May 18: Blessed John Paul II Parish in Eastwood, Quezon City
May 9 to 12: St. Joseph Parish in Upper Bicutan, Taguig City
May 13 to 16: Holy Cross Parish in Matingain, Lemery, Batangas
May 17 to 18: Holy Family Parish in Kamias, Quezon City
May 24 to 25: Immaculate Conception Parish at the GSIS village in Project 8
May 26 to 30: Sta. Maria de la Cabeza Mission Station in Brgy. Mangoso, Sigma, Capiz

The tour will end at the St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Concepcion II in Marikina City on May 31 to June 1.

Veneration of relics useless if not internalized

As the Philippine tour of Blessed John Paul II's relics started this week, a priest warned Catholics their veneration of the memorable objects from the late pope will be useless if they do not internalize their "wonderful experience."

Fr. Nicanor Lalog II said venerating the relics must lead the faithful to apply Christian values to their daily lives.

"If properly internalized, relics must lead us to God. They must show us the way to Christian living. If these conditions are not met, there is something amiss," Lalog, a former GMA News reporter, said in an interview with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' news site.

Lalog also brushed off accusations that the veneration of relics amounted to “idolatry,” saying this is never the case.

He said Catholics do not worship relics, and treat relics as a reminder of someone they hold dear.

"If we even treasure a handkerchief of our boyfriend or girlfriend, how much more of a person who lived a life of holiness?” he said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News