'A renewal to peoples' faith': Sacred relics visiting New Jersey church

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (PIX11) -- It could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you to witness a relic tied to Jesus Christ.

"It's helping preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition," said Joseph Santoro of the International Crusade of Holy Relics.

A sliver from the Cross on which Jesus died, a hair from Saint Pope John Paul II, and more than a hundred more sacred relics are arriving in Montclair for a one-day exhibit.

"It's something that means the world to me and to my heart," said Santoro, who oversees the vast collection that will be on display Saturday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Other pieces include a piece of the Crown of Thorns worn by Christ and fabric from the veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"I think the significance of having it here brings a renewal to peoples' faith," said Santoro. 

Relics like these have been known to travel the world, but it's exceptionally rare for so many to be on display at one time in one place. Officials with the Archdiocese of Newark say they've never seen anything like it.

"I hope that this event will help people to grow in their faith," said Rev. Giandomenico Flora, the parish rector who invites people of all faiths to visit the exhibit. "To have these relics here is an opportunity to reflect even more on the love that god has shown to us in Jesus Christ who has come to give his life for us."

Once you've had the chance to see the relics for yourself, the parish invites you to go upstairs inside the church to pray and reflect.

For Catholics, the exhibit arrives in the middle of Lent, the most solemn 40 days of the liturgical calendar.

"Hopefully this awareness will help us to answer to His love with our love," said Florda.

The exhibit will be open on Saturday from noon to 7 pm.