"The first Masses in Rome were always celebrated on the tombs of the martyrs and from that custom, we have put relics of martyrs into our altars but today we are very blessed to have the relics of a saint who actually visited this cathedral during his lifetime and who so many people were able to see in person. We pray through his intercession for God's blessing upon our Church, our families, our whole community," he added.

The relic is similar to the one displayed at the canonization of Pope John Paul in Rome. It consists of a vial of his blood that was entrusted to the Knights of Columbus by his longtime personal secretary Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow.

Following the Mass, the relic was brought in procession to altar of the side chapel the cathedral, where the faithful lined up for an opportunity to venerate it, while members of the Knights of Columbus stood watch as honor guards. Other attendants from the Knights would take objects from the faithful such as saints medals, crosses or holy cards and touch them to the relic, making it a relic itself.

According to Catholic teaching, a part of the saint's body is considered first-class relic. Clothing or other personal effects of a saint are considered second-class relics, and objects touched to a first-class relic are considered third-class relics.

The relic will also make visits to several other cities in the United States, including St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York July 12-13 and then Philadelphia.

The nationwide tour will highlight the close connection St. John Paul had to the United States, as a frequent pilgrim to this country while he was pope. It will also provide the faithful who were unable to attend the canonization ceremony in Rome an opportunity to pay their respects to this great man.

"St. John Paul spent more time in the United States than any other pope before or since, shaping an entire generation of Catholics here and throughout the world," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "Bringing his relic to communities throughout this country will recall for many Catholics his saintly life, his unswerving commitment to the dignity of every human person, and his emphasis on the call to holiness for each one of us."

More information about the relic and the tour is available at www.jp2shrine.org