- 22 July, 2025
CHENNAI, July 22, 2025 – Tamil Nadu will witness a historic spiritual milestone as the Immaculate Conception Church in Chromepet prepares to host the state’s first-ever public exposition of relics from over 1,500 Catholic saints. Held from 15 to 17 August, the three-day event marks part of the global Jubilee Year 2025 and is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from across the region.
Organised by the Diocese of Chingleput, the Holy Relics Expo – 2025 will feature relics of apostles, martyrs, mystics, missionaries, and doctors of the Church — many displayed publicly for the first time in South India.
“This is more than just an event; it is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the 'great cloud of witnesses',” said Fr G. Backiya Regis. “We invite everyone… to experience the holiness that shaped the world.”
Celebrating Catholic Faith in the Jubilee Spirit
Themed around the Vatican’s Jubilee call to be Pilgrims of Hope, the initiative seeks to renew and deepen the faith of participants by drawing them closer to the lives of the saints.
Citing Acts 19:12 — “Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured...” — the organisers highlighted the spiritual significance of relics, which remain deeply revered in Catholic tradition.
Confessions and Holy Masses will be offered in multiple languages each day, preparing the faithful to receive the spiritual fruits of venerating the relics.
Dignitaries, Bishops to Attend
The event opens on Friday, 15 August — coinciding with India’s Independence Day and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — with a special Tamil Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Dr. A. M. Chinnappa SDB, Archbishop Emeritus of Madras-Mylapore. The official inauguration and relic procession will follow at 8:30 a.m., along with the release of A Handbook on Holy Relics.
Masses will be held in Tamil, English, and Malayalam throughout the day, concluding with an evening Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Dr A. Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput.
On Saturday, 16 August, Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore, will preside over the 6:00 p.m. Tamil Mass.
The final day, Sunday, 17 August, will feature multilingual services in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and English. The concluding Mass at 6:00 p.m. will be celebrated by Most Rev. Dr. T. Sagayaraj, Bishop of Thanjavur, followed by a grand Relic Blessing ceremony at 8:00 p.m., led by Fr. Ephrem Kunnappally of the Carlo Acutis Foundation, Kerala.
Mass Schedule Overview
• Daily Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Venue: Immaculate Conception Church, 318 GST Road, Chromepet, Chennai – 600044
• Languages: Tamil, English, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Latin
Visitors are strongly encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion before venerating the relics. Priests will be available on-site throughout the three days.
A Sacred Invitation
This extraordinary expo comes at a time when the Catholic Church worldwide is inviting the faithful to renew their spiritual journey and bear witness to the Gospel with courage and hope. For the Church in Tamil Nadu, the event marks more than a symbolic occasion — it signifies a profound step towards reviving spiritual heritage and personal holiness.
“The saints are not far from us,” said Fr. Ashok. “Through their relics, they come to walk with us once again.”
The event is being coordinated by Parish Priests Fr. G. Backiya Regis, Fr. P. Ashok, and Fr. G. Martin OMD, together with an active parish council and a team of volunteers. For more details, the faithful may contact: 044-22410077.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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