Â鶹´«Ã½AV

Last year, after Term Four ended, a group of Â鶹´«Ã½AV Staff went to Italy to learn more about the Â鶹´«Ã½AV Story and to walk in the footsteps of the Seven Holy Founders and other Â鶹´«Ã½AVs who came after them.Ìý

At their last stop in Rome, the group met with some Â鶹´«Ã½AV Friars who gave them a very special gift. The Friars presented the Staff with some relics of Â鶹´«Ã½AV Saints to bring back to the College to have in our new Chapel, which is part of the College’s Masterplan to build in the future. It is a very rare occurrence for relics to be handed over to lay people, however the Friars wanted our Â鶹´«Ã½AV Community to have these relics especially to inspire the students of Â鶹´«Ã½AV and to connect them further with the Â鶹´«Ã½AV story.Ìý

Relics are something belong to a Saint, perhaps something that they have worn or used, It could also be a physical part of the Saint, such as a piece of bone, hair or fingernail, and these are known as First Class Relics. Relics are an important part of Catholic belief as they are physical reminders of a significant person who lived life well, serving God, and who is now in heaven. We can look to these Saints as role models for living a Chrisitan life and experiencing the graces of God, as the Saints did.Ìý

One of the relics gifted to the College is a First Class Relic of St Juliana. Therefore, on the Feast of St Juliana this term, we announced to the College at our Feast Day Mass, that the Â鶹´«Ã½AV Friars in Rome had given us a First Class Relic of St Juliana to have at our College. Mrs Vicoli carried in the relic during the entrance procession and the significance of a relic was explained to the community.Ìý

After the Mass, the relic was carefully and reverently displayed for the students and staff of the College to come by, have a look and say a prayer. The students were very reverent and curious, asking many questions about the relic of St Juliana and relics in general. Many students were amazed that the College had received such a gift.ÌýÌý

As a College we feel very grateful and humbled by the gift of the relics, and in particular to have a part of St Juliana, one of our Patron Saints, with us at Â鶹´«Ã½AV.Ìý