St. John the Baptist TOC Community Hosted a Relic Exposition and Veneration

On February 27, the St. John the Baptist TOC Community hosted a relic exposition and veneration at the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Poblacion, Calumpit, Bulacan. This was done after their electoral chapter wherein the Litany of the Saints was sung and the Te Deum was chanted in thanksgiving for the elections. Bro. Ruel Santos gave a short presentation called "The Treasures of the Church" which is about the importance of relics in the life of the Church. After the presentation, the relics were venerated by the TOC members, Confraternity members, and some parishioners. The exposition was held at the right side altar of the church.

The following are some of the relics of the saints and blesseds that were exposed for veneration: St. Paul of the Cross (from the body), St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (from the body), St. Gemma Galgani (from the body), St. Gertrude Comensoli (from the bones), Bl. Maria Sagghedu (from the bones), St. Romuald (from the bones), St. Josemaria Escriva (from the bones), Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (hair strands), St. Albert of Trapani (from the bones), St. Angelus (from the bones), St. Teresa of Avila (from the ashes of the body), St. Simon Stock (from the bones), St. John of the Cross (from the clothing), St. Therese of the Child Jesus (from the veil imbude with the flesh), Bl. Joan of Toulose (from the bones), Bl. Kuriakos Elias Chavara, (from the bones), St. Teresa Margaret Redi ( from the clothing), and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (from the clothing).

The event coincided with the feast of the Passionist saint, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Rev. Fr. Vic Saraza, guest priest of the parish, graced the event. He is a priest from Antique and studying at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Facade of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, the oldest church in the province of Bulacan

Main Altar


Preparing for the elections and the veneration of the relics


The holy relics of various saints and blesseds of the Carmelite Family including the saints and blesseds of other congregations and orders.

Relic veneration after the elections and talk