In Wayne County the faithful are flocking to a Roman Catholic Church to see a holy relic.
Church officials said the rare Christian relic is a piece of Saint Mary Magdalene's shin bone. The relic is on its first visit to the U.S. from its home in France.
Monday the spiritual piece of history was at Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Honesdale. The church was filled with hundreds of the faithful for noon Mass hoping to pay tribute to a single bone believed to belong to Saint Mary Magdalene.
Christians believe Mary Magdalene was the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus.
"We think it will bring great blessings on our families, our communities and our parish. We're thankful we have this special day in our lives," said Sandy Meagher.
Newswatch 16 was there as the rare religious relic arrived at the church shortly after midnight.
As part of it's first visit to the U.S. from the relic's home in France, the 42-day tour is stopping at nearly 30 churches up and down the east coast and came to the church in Honesdale after a request from a parishioner.
"When you think of the relic of Mary Magdalene for 2,000 years in France and just now visiting the United States and to think that we here in Honesdale get to see it, indeed, it's a privilege beyond our imagination," said Father William Langan of St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Dominican Brother Father Louis-Marie Arino is escorting the relic on its tour.
"I think this is very interesting for such a country like America because it is a very old relic in a new country," said Father Arino.
"It's a very interesting and wonderful experience to be able to see because there are so few people that can get to France to see these relics that are important to our religion," said Sue-Ann Ryan of Lake Ariel.
The relic of Saint Mary Magdalene will be on display for the public until late Monday at Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Honesdale.
The relic will then go on to Florida and Georgia before making its way back home to France on November 30.
Church officials said the rare Christian relic is a piece of Saint Mary Magdalene's shin bone. The relic is on its first visit to the U.S. from its home in France.
Monday the spiritual piece of history was at Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Honesdale. The church was filled with hundreds of the faithful for noon Mass hoping to pay tribute to a single bone believed to belong to Saint Mary Magdalene.
Christians believe Mary Magdalene was the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus.
"We think it will bring great blessings on our families, our communities and our parish. We're thankful we have this special day in our lives," said Sandy Meagher.
Newswatch 16 was there as the rare religious relic arrived at the church shortly after midnight.
As part of it's first visit to the U.S. from the relic's home in France, the 42-day tour is stopping at nearly 30 churches up and down the east coast and came to the church in Honesdale after a request from a parishioner.
"When you think of the relic of Mary Magdalene for 2,000 years in France and just now visiting the United States and to think that we here in Honesdale get to see it, indeed, it's a privilege beyond our imagination," said Father William Langan of St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Dominican Brother Father Louis-Marie Arino is escorting the relic on its tour.
"I think this is very interesting for such a country like America because it is a very old relic in a new country," said Father Arino.
"It's a very interesting and wonderful experience to be able to see because there are so few people that can get to France to see these relics that are important to our religion," said Sue-Ann Ryan of Lake Ariel.
The relic of Saint Mary Magdalene will be on display for the public until late Monday at Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Honesdale.
The relic will then go on to Florida and Georgia before making its way back home to France on November 30.
