Los Angeles, Calif., Jul 25, 2007 / 08:58 am
Two Los Angeles based organizations are marshalling the heavenly forces to protect those who serve in the US armed services.
Called Operation: Special Intention, the International Crusade for Holy Relics
(ICHR) and the deacons of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are launching a tour of the relics of the patron saints of the armed forces.
The relics of St. Anthony of Padua, patron of sailors, St. Therese of Lisieux, patron of
pilots and air crews and St. Ignatius of Loyola, patron of soldiers will travel through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles beginning July 25th at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
The faithful are invited to offer prayers and to venerate the Holy Relics of the Saints. ICHR notes that some Christians regard veneration of relics as false worship. However, the purpose of venerating relics is actually to “beg them [the saints] to pray for us through the merits of Jesus Christ, while we ask Jesus to help us through his own merits.”