Relics of Catholic saints --- considered the patrons of the branches of the armed forces --- are on view through Aug. 8 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

"Operation: Special Intention" is a joint effort between the Los Angeles-based International Crusade for Holy Relics (ICHR) and the deacons of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

"With the men and women of our armed forces deployed in harm's way throughout the world, we wanted to find a way to let those of us on the home front support the troops with our prayers for their safety and for peace in the world," said Thomas Serafin, ICHR president. "It is also an opportunity for us to pray for the souls of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

The relics traveling throughout the archdiocese include relics of St. Anthony of Padua, patron of sailors; St. Therese of Lisieux, patron of pilots and air crews; and St. Ignatius of Loyola, patron of soldiers.

The ICHR promotes education, preservation and veneration of relics. For more than a decade it has battled the illicit sale of relics on the internet, and has rescued thousands of religious artifacts slated to be sold or thrown away.

The icon and relics will be reserved in a side chapel in the south ambulatory of the Cathedral. The faithful are invited to write their intentions a special book of prayers and take a holy card with the image of the icon and the Saints and a special prayer.

The Deacons of the archdiocese will host the icon and the relics in various parishes throughout the Archdiocese until November then the relics will travel throughout the United States for a national tour of "Operation: Special Intention." After the tour of parishes in Los Angeles, the relics will be made available to other dioceses around the country. More information is available at www.olacathedral.org or www.Relictour.org.