FEAST OF THE RELICS OF OUR MOTHER (ITALY)

 In the city of Venice the sacred relics of St. Mark the Evangelist were transferred there in the year 827. The other patron of Venice was the Blessed Virgin Mary, 

    for the city had been founded on the feast of the Annunciation. There is in Venice a spectacular 18th century reliquary that contains a rare first class relic of the Blessed 

    Virgin Mary. Within this reliquary is a bundle of the Blessed Virgin's own hair. Since the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken into heaven both body and soul after her death, 

    it is not possible that any other physical relics of her could exist. The sole possible exception would be her hair, 

    and this bundle of her hair had been preserved and venerated since the time of her Assumption in the Holy House of Nazareth. 

    The bundle of the Blessed Virgin's hair is believed to have been brought from the Holy Land by the Crusaders and is venerated in Venice in the Basilica of St. Mark.




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