A unique and deeply symbolic moment took place in Spalding this week, as a visiting priest from India brought with him a rare relic linked to one of Christianity’s earliest figures.
Fr. Ritchie Vincent, Archivist and Secretary for Social Communications in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Chennai, India, who has previously served as a custodian at the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle, visited St Norbert’s Church where he celebrated Mass and presented a relic to the parish.
The relic, a small container of soil taken from the tomb of St Thomas in Chennai, India, was formally handed over during his visit. The tomb is traditionally recognised as the burial place of the apostle, who is believed to have travelled to India in the first century to share the Christian faith.
Fr. Vincent’s visit followed hearing about the work of Project St Thomas, a community hub based in Spalding that supports local residents through social connection, food provision, and practical support services.
Tracey Carter, Relationship Manager at Project St Thomas, said:
“It was incredibly special to welcome Fr. Ritchie Vincent to Spalding. To receive a relic from the tomb of St Thomas is something very meaningful, not just for the church, but for our wider community.
At Project St Thomas, everything we do is about bringing people together, supporting those who need it, and creating a place where people feel they belong. To have that recognised by someone who has served at such an important global Christian site was really powerful.”
Fr Jim Burke of St Norbert’s Church added:
“It was a real privilege to welcome Fr. Ritchie Vincent to our parish and to receive this relic. It creates a direct and tangible connection to Saint Thomas himself and to the early Church.
Moments like this remind us that our faith is part of something much bigger, reaching across countries, cultures and centuries.”
Fr. Ritchie Vincent said:
“I had heard many good things about Project St Thomas and the work being done here to support people. When I visited, I could see that for myself — it is a place of welcome, service and genuine care for others.
It was my honour to bring this relic from the tomb of Saint Thomas and to share that connection with the people here in Spalding.”
During his visit, Fr. Vincent also spent time learning more about the work being carried out locally, including the community café, support groups, and outreach initiatives that collectively support hundreds of people each month.
There will be an opportunity for members of the public to venerate the relic over the weekend of 3 July, the feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle, offering the community a chance to connect personally with this historic and spiritual tradition.
The visit highlights a remarkable connection between Spalding and a site of global historical and spiritual significance, linking a local community hub with a tradition that dates back nearly 2,000 years.
The relic will remain in Spalding as a lasting symbol of that connection.
