CHICAGO (July 17, 2006) – Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will preside at a special Mass honoring the relics of Mexican martyrs at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior in Chicago.

The display, consisting of the relics of six of the 25 Mexican martyrs canonized in 2000 by

Pope John Paul II, are contained in a silver cross that will be displayed at several sites in the Archdiocese between July 21 and 23. All were martyred during the persecution of the church in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s.

The relics are being brought here under the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus. Prior to their arrival at the cathedral, the relics will be at Immaculate Conception Parish, 2944 E. 88 th St., Chicago, for a 7 p.m. Mass on July 21. Following the Mass, the relics will be carried in procession to Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, 3200 E. 91 st. St, Chicago, for prayer and veneration. On July 22, the relics will be at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 1637 N. 37 th Ave., Melrose Park, for a 5 p.m. Mass.