The community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish joyfully welcomed its newly acquired, first-class relic of Saint Nicholas at the saint’s namesake church in Egg Harbor City the weekend of Dec. 7-8.
“After 1,700 years and thousands of miles, a part of Saint Nicholas is finally finding a home here,” said Joe Picardi, a longtime Catholic in Egg Harbor City responsible for the relic’s journey to South Jersey.
Earlier this year, Picardi began looking for a relic of the third century Bishop of Myra as part of Saint Nicholas Church’s 160th anniversary celebration. He found the Shrine of All Saints in Morton Grove, Ill., which houses the relics of more than 3,000 holy women and men.
PHOTO GALLERY: Saint Nicholas Relic and Mass in Egg Harbor City
The shrine’s curator, Father Dennis O’Neill, gifted the relic to the parish over the summer. On Dec. 7, faithful of all ages were able to venerate the relic – a bone fragment – placing their personal items to the reliquary and thus making their cherished effects third-class relics.
Father Gerard Marable, pastor of the Galloway parish, said his community now has a tangible connection to the saint’s “blessing, presence and spirit.”
Born in the village of Patara in Asia Minor, Saint Nicholas lost both of his parents at a young age; they are said to have died in an epidemic. Exhibiting the charity and generosity of spirit that he is beloved for, he used his inheritance to help the needy, sick and suffering. Becoming Bishop of Myra, he further gained renown for his care and concern for children and sailors.
After his death Dec. 6, 343, Saint Nicholas was first buried in Myra, before his remains were transferred to Bari, Italy, where they currently rest under Saint Nicholas Church. Over the centuries, his Christian witness has sparked devotion in the Eastern and Western Churches, and stories of countless miracles.
Those attending Mass on Dec. 8 in Egg Harbor City were present as Father Franklin Opara, the parish’s parochial vicar, blessed the reliquary and parishioners with Holy Water.
Saint Nicholas Church has reflected the multicultural character of the Catholic Church over the years. In 1858, the Redemptorist Fathers in Philadelphia began making their way to Egg Harbor to minister to Catholics there, and six years later, Father Franz Junker from Bavaria became the area’s first resident priest. Bishop Bayley of Philadelphia laid the cornerstone for a church in 1860, but the Civil War delayed its construction. Finally dedicated Nov. 9, 1873, Saint Nicholas has become a home for Catholics of numerous heritages, including Haitian, German, Italian and Hispanic.
In 2012, the church merged with Assumption, Galloway, to become Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.
Noting the relic’s introduction during this Advent season, Picardi said the saint “is integral to the coming Christmas season, as the inspiration for Santa Claus and today’s secular celebration, which still holds fast to the themes of love, hope and charity.”
Father Marable added, “This relic will help us cross bridges, and connect our community in recognizing his [Saint Nicholas’] good deeds.”
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