02 MAY - OUR MOTHER OF OVIEDO (SPAIN)

 The Cathedral of Oviedo was founded in 781 AD and enlarged by Alfonso the Chaste, who made Oviedo the capital of Kingdom of Asturias. In the city of Oviedo, 

    a Holy Chest that contains varied relics. This Holy Chest is made of oak and was skillfully constructed without the use of any nails. 

    It has been venerated by faithful Catholics since apostolic times. The chest originated in the Holy City of Jerusalem. When the Persain’s attacked and conquered Jerusalem in 614, 

    many priceless relics from the region were gathered and placed in it for protection, as the Persians sought relics to destroy them. 

    The chest was taken for safekeeping to a small community of Catholics in Alexandria, Egypt. A short time later the chest was taken across the Mediterranean Sea to Spain, 

    where St. Isidore kept it in Seville. Upon St. Isidore’s death, the chest was transferred to the city of Toledo, which was then becoming an important center in Spain. 

    After Mass, on Friday, March 13, 1075, the key was again placed in the lock. On this occasion, God was pleased to reveal the contents of the Holy Chest. 

    The chest contained the cloth that covered the face of Christ after the crucifixion. On it can be seen the bloodstains of Our Lord that evidence his passion and death. 

    The chest also contained a piece of the True Cross of Our Lord, a small stone of the sepulcher in which He was buried, some of the cloths in which He was wrapped in the manger, 

    several thorns from the Crucifixion, a piece of the earth of Mount Olivet touched by His feet when He ascended into heaven, one of the thirty coins given to Judas, 

    the chasuble given by the Virgin Mary to St. Ildephonsus, a chest of gold and precious stones containing the forehead of St. John the Baptist and his hair, 

    and a host of other relics from many saints and prophets, including St. Stephen, the first martyr and the rod of Moses which parted the Red Sea and the manna supplied from 

    heaven during the Exodus from Egypt and many other priceless relics.





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