Relics of Saints

The term “relic” originates from the Latin word “reliquiae,” which denotes an item, typically a portion of a body or garment, that endures as a tribute to a deceased saint. A relic may be the bodily remains of a saint or one of the saint’s belongings. Many other cultures and religious systems have also practiced the adoration of relics; Christianity is not the only one. Relics assist Catholics in honoring the saints and maintaining a spiritual bond with the men and women who stand in for our religious heroes. A sacramental relic is kept in the heart of worship for the Church, the altar. Furthermore, relics are often credited with healings and miracles rather than occurring naturally.

Teaching of the Church on Relics

From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2001) Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: 236. The Second Vatican Council recalls that “the Saints have been traditionally honoured in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration” (323).

The term “relics of the Saints” primarily refers to the bodies – or notable parts of the bodies – of the Saints who, as distinguished members of Christ’s mystical Body and as Temples of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 3, 16; 6, 19; 2 Cor 6, 16) (324), who formerly lived on Earth, now reside in Heaven due to their heroic holiness. Relics include anything that touched the bodies or tombs of the Saints, such as oils, cloths, and images, as well as items that belonged to them, such as personal items, garments, and manuscripts.

The Missale Romanum reiterates that it is acceptable “to place the Saints’ relics under an altar that is to be dedicated, even if they are not the martyrs’” (325).This usage indicates that the altar sacrifice (326) is the source of the member sacrifice. It also represents the communion of the Church, called to show faithfulness to her Lord and Spouse even to the point of death, with the Christ sacrifice.Verifying the authenticity of the relics displayed for the faithful’s adoration; in cases where relics of question have been displayed for the faithful’s veneration, they ought to be quietly removed with appropriate pastoral caution (327).

avoiding the excessive scattering of relics into tiny fragments, as this practice is incompatible with respect for human flesh; according to liturgical regulations, relics must be “of a sufficient size as make clear that they are parts of the human body” (328).

warning believers not to give in to the desire to amass relic collections; historically, this practice has resulted in some abhorrent outcomes.•    preventing any possibility of fraud, trafficking(329), or superstition.�

The various forms of popular veneration of the relics of the Saints, such as kissing, decorations with lights and flowers, bearing them in processions, in no way exclude the possibility of taking the relics of the Saints to the sick and dying, to comfort them or use the intercession of the Saint to ask for healing. Such should be conducted with great dignity and be motivated by faith. The relics of the Saints should not be exposed on the mensa of the altar, since this is reserved for the Body and Blood of the King of Martyrs (330).

Relics are objects associated with saints. The word relic comes from the Latin word reliquiae, meaning “remains.” A relic could be a bone from the saint or it could be a piece of clothing the saint wore.
A container used to hold a relic is called a reliquary. Some people keep relics as a reminder of a patron saint.

Others believe they have miraculous powers, however the Church does not teach that relics hold any special powers. Relics have fascinated people for centuries, often with varying legends, rumors, and controversy accompanying them. The Vatican rarely confirms the authenticity of these objects. There are three different classes of relics:

• First class: An actual part of the saint’s body (or could be a whole body).
• Second class: An article of clothing or something the saint used during his or her lifetime.
• Third class: Any object that is touched to a first class relic. Most third-class relics are small pieces of cloth.