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San Elizario is a small, rural community situated on the Rio Grande not far from El Paso,Texas. It was established as a presidio, or fort, during Spanish colonial times. The Church of San Elceario, named for St. Elzear, was completed in 1877 and is an historical treasure of the area. Every year the town celebrates a festival to honor their patron saint. For the last four years the parish has invited the relic of St. Elzear to participate in the festivities. Below are a few photos taken during the 2007 event held on September 7-9.
Father Ed Carpenter, pastor, leads the procession carrying the relic of St. Elzear. He is
followed by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus honor guard and the large statue of San Elceario.
 Father Ed and St. Elzear circle the town plaza and wander through the festival grounds. |
 The procession arrives at the church. |
 Father Ed and the relic of St. Elzear |
 The relic on display at the altar of the church. |
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A few weeks before the 92nd annual Festival of San Lorenzo at Clint, Texas, in the summer of 2006, the bell tower of the church suddenly collapsed. While no one was injured, the disaster did add another burden on the already impoverished parish. Pastor Father Beto Lopez is shown standing in front of the debris. The parish decided that it needed a special intervention and invited St. Lawrence to be present for the festival. |
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For All The Saints Ministry hand produces a variety of laminated holy cards containing third class relics of saints for Sister Anne Sophie Meaney and her Corpus Christi, Texas, based ministry The Society of the Body of Christ. In 2006 we sent over 1000 cards to Sister Anne and 2007 looks to be equally busy. |
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