The Relics of St Margaret of Scotland, St Columba of Iona and St Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of Scotland, started their National tour in Edinburgh on 6 January 2025 and, after criss-crossing the country visiting Provinces of the Knights of St Columba, will finish the tour in Westminster on 5 October 2025. Council 577, Standish, was privileged to receive the Relics on 30 March for a weeklong local tour.

 

On Monday 31 March, our local tour began at St Marie of the Annunciation Church in Standish. After a brief introduction, Parish Priest Fr Joseph Simionato FDP celebrated Holy Mass. This was followed by private adoration by parishioners.

 

On Tuesday, a visit to St John Rigby Sixth Form College, organised with College Principal Peter McGee and Martin Malone, Lay Chaplain. The Relics were set up in the Chapel groups of students visited throughout the day. On each occasion, the students were offered a brief explanation about The Knights of St Columba and a short resume about the three Saints. This was followed by a few moments of quiet contemplation. The dignity and silence in these few moments was truly moving. Afterwards there was a Q&A session, and relevant story telling. It was wonderful to see and feel the involvement of the students and the college as a whole.

 

On Wednesday, the Relics moved to St Mary’s, Standishgate, Wigan. The Relics were set up at 11am and parishioners began arriving for veneration before Mass at 12noon. Again, a few words of explanation and then Mass was celebrated by Fr Hugh Donleavy, assistant parish priest. After Mass, the Relics remained on display until 2pm, with parishioners coming forward to make their own private devotions.

 

Thursday’s venue for the Relics was St Bernadette’s Church in Shevington. The Relics were welcomed into Church by Father Barry Matthews who, after a brief introduction, celebrated Mass. After Mass, Year four pupils from St Bernadette’s Primary School were welcomed. The pupils were attentive and respectful and readily participated in a Q&A session.

 

The final visit for this local tour was to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Aspull, where they were welcomed by Fr Kevin Foulkes, Parish Priest and also Chaplin to KSC Council 577. Mass was celebrated at 10am and the Church remained open until midday for parishioners to file past the Relics. A truly fitting end to our local tour.

 

Steve Lester of Council 577 shared: “these five days with the Relics in the Wigan area was a humbling and remarkable experience, meeting people of all ages and backgrounds.” The Knights of St Columba, Council 577, wish to thank all those for their support in making this local Tour possible and a worthy success.