Mission receives relic gifts

In October, a burglar caught on security cameras, stole nine relics from the San Buenaventura Mission.

Police recovered eight of the relics and arrested Edward Burgess, 26, who was convicted and sentenced to probation and rehabilitation.

In February, a visiting priest, from Philadelphia, heard that a St. Vincent de Paul relic was still missing. The Rev. Gregory Cozzubbo, the assistant provincial for the Vincentian fathers from Philadelphia, arranged for a similar relic donation.

The mission also received a relic of St. John Neumann from Ginny McGeehan, formerly of Philadelphia. Parish Administrator, Rick Cole, called it fitting since the Mission grounds are home to a school and St. Neumann started Catholic schools in the U.S.

The mission now has 15 relics. They are located in a locked baptistery. You can see them on tours or through the locked baptistry gate.

Cole said since the burglary people seem to know more about the mission on Main Street in Ventura.

Cole said the mission has also had more visitors. The mission gives tours of the chapel and the gardens. They begin at the mission’s gift shop.