What Can Visitors Discover at Chennai’s Rare Display of 2,000 Holy Relics?

St. Sebastian’s Church in Madhavaram, Chennai, is set to host an exposition of approximately 2,000 holy relics from September 25 to 28, 2026. The four-day event is being organised as part of celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the heavenly birth of St. Francis of Assisi. The exposition will feature relics associated with a wide range of saints and Christian witnesses, including apostles, martyrs, missionaries, mystics and saints. The faithful will have the opportunity to venerate the relics and spend time in prayer and reflection on the lives and spiritual witness of the saints. According to the organisers, visitors may also have the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence by fulfilling the prescribed conditions. These include visiting the church, performing acts of charity, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, participating in Holy Mass, receiving Holy Communion and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. The programme will include Holy Masses in both Tamil and English, allowing parishioners and visitors from different communities to participate in the celebrations. The exposition will officially begin with a bilingual Solemn Inaugural Mass at 3 p.m. on September 25. The four-day programme will conclude with another bilingual Holy Mass at noon on September 28. The organisers have invited the faithful to make use of the exposition as an opportunity not simply to view the relics but also to deepen their prayer and reflection. The display is intended to draw attention to the lives of the saints and their witness to Christian faith and holiness. The event also connects with the wider celebrations surrounding the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s heavenly birth, giving the faithful an opportunity to reflect on the Franciscan tradition and the spiritual heritage of the saints. The exposition will take place at St. Sebastian’s Church, Madhavaram, Chennai – 600060, from September 25 to 28.