The relics with the mortal remains of Saint Francis Borgia (Gandia, October 28, 1510 – Italy, September 30, 1572) visit the Archdiocese of Valencia, where they will remain until November 4, a historic event with the aim of promoting and increasing knowledge and devotion of the former IV Duke of Gandía and the Third General of the Society of Jesus.
After months of work, the relics have now returned to the diocese with the approval and authorization of the Archbishop of Valencia, Monsignor Enrique Benavent, and the support of the Society of Jesus. They left from Madrid, specifically from the parish of San Francisco de Borja located in the well-known Salamanca neighborhood, where these relics are usually found in a silver chest.
The mortal remains of the saint, which have been in the parish of San Francisco de Borja in Valencia since September 6, 2024, are now visiting the city of Gandia, from September 13 to October 1. They will soon go to the town of Turís (October 18, 19 and 20).
Second visit in 452 years
“It is a historic event. Our archdiocese, for the second time in four hundred and fifty-two years, is preparing to receive the remains of Saint Francis Borgia, and all this, after having lived a Jubilee Year convened by the Holy See, on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of his death and the 350th anniversary of his canonization,” says Pedro Miret.
It was on March 31, 1973 “when our parish received the relics of its patron saint. And on April 7, of the aforementioned year 1973, for the first time since his death, the mortal remains of the saint returned to his hometown, Gandía. In the Plaza Elíptica of the ducal city, they were received by Monsignor García-Lahiguera, then Archbishop of Valencia.”
Visit of the relics to Gandia
For approximately fifteen days, including the celebration of the Novena and the Feast of the Holy Duke, the faithful and residents will be able to venerate the mortal remains of the Patron Saint in the capital of Safor.
The relics will arrive in Gandia on 13 September and will be received at the Palace of the Holy Duke by the abbot of the Collegiate Church of Gandia, Ángel Saneugenio.
The festival in honour of Saint Francis Borgia this year will take place on Monday 30 September in the city of Gandia, so the relics of Saint Borgia will leave for Valencia on 1 October, and will be on display in the parish of San Francisco de Borja until Monday 4 November.
Likewise, the parish of San Francisco de Borja in Valencia will celebrate the liturgical feast of its patron saint on Sunday, October 6 at 12 noon, in a Eucharist presided over by Monsignor Enrique Benavent and concelebrated by its parish priest, Pedro Miret, priests of the archpresbytery and priests linked to the parish.
