Oct 13 Mon
What is all about relics?
Seven questions about relics and their veneration.
To an outsider, the tradition of venerating relics may seem strange; however, the roots of the practice are found in Scripture as well as in the ancient tradition of the Church.
- What is a relic?
A relic is a physical object that had a direct association with Jesus Christ or with a saint.
- Why do Catholics venerate relics?
Catholics venerate the relics of saints as a way to honor the saints’ inspiring faith. As Catholics, we strive to become saints ourselves and are encouraged to imitate the lives of the saints in our own daily lives.
We do not worship relics, we do not adore them, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator. But we venerate the relics of the martyrs to adore Him better, whose martyrs they are.”
- Is relic veneration biblical?
Yes. There are several instances in the Bible where individuals are healed by touching an item.
In 2 Kings 13:20-21, the corpse of a man is touched to the bones of the prophet Elisha, and the man comes back to life. In Matthew 9:20-22, the hemorrhaging woman is healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak. People were healed and evil spirits were driven out when handkerchiefs from the apostle Paul were placed on these individuals, as is written in Acts of the Apostles 19:11-12.
- What are the different classes of relics?
There are “significant” and “nonsignificant” relics.
A significant relic is the body of the blessed and of the saints or notable parts of the bodies themselves or the total of the ashes obtained by their cremation.
Little fragments of the bodies of the blessed and of the saints, as well as objects that have come in direct contact with their persons, are considered nonsignificant relics.
These are also preserved in sealed cases and honored with a religious spirit, avoiding every type of superstition and illicit trade.
- Can relics perform miracles?
Although many miracles were performed connected to relics, the Catholic Church does not believe that the relic itself causes the miracle; God alone does. The relic is the vehicle through which God may work, but God is the cause of the healing.
If God chooses to use the relics of saints to work healing and miracles, He wants to draw our attention to the saints as models and intercessors.
- Can I buy or sell relics?
The sale is strictly forbidden. Relics can only be given away by their owners.
- Are there relics of Jesus or Mary?
There are no first-class relics of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven.
Similarly for Jesus. There are fragments of the true cross, a fragment of the holy manger in which Jesus was placed after he was born, of the nails and crown of thorns (allegedly), and fragments of black-and-white stone that are said to be from the pillar on which He was scourged.