GEMS OF SANCTITY

GEMS OF SANCTITY: THE RELICS OF SAINTS

(A Catechism on the Relics of Saints)

In the course of history, the veneration of the relics of saints has been an interesting and integral part in the life of the Church. We may consider it as one of the most flourishing aspects in the history of the Church. However, it does include difficult moments, because of the abuse and controversies that have been associated with it.

1. What are relics?

Relics are parts of the body or something that belongs to a [holy] person. Taken from the Latin word “reliquiae”, which comes from “linquere”, which means “to leave”, relics therefore are the bodies of saints or objects directly connected with them or with our Lord (Baltimore Catechism One, 340). They are what are left to us or what are remaining with us of the holy persons who have gone to their rest.

2. What are the different classifications of relics?

Relics are divided into three classes; the first-class relics are fragments from the body of a saint, such as a portion from the bone (ex ossibus), a piece from the flesh (ex carne) or strands of hair (ex capillis). Second-class relics are from the objects or items that the saint had owned, such as vestments (ex veste), clothing (ex indumentis), books (ex libris) and other things that the saint had used. Lastly, third class relics are those that had been touched to the first- or second-class ones.

3. When did the early Church started giving importance to the relics of saints?

In the history of the early Church, we can recall that they constructed little edifices or aedicules over or near the tombs of martyrs which they called the memoria—the place of memory or the martyrium. The memoria/martyrium was used to house the relics of a particular martyr for the celebration of the Holy Mass, especially on the anniversary of their dies natalis or the anniversary of their martyrdom (A. Chupungco, What then is Liturgy, 48). Through the centuries, these structures were expanded and evolved into the present basilicas or shrines.

4. Who is the first martyr whose relics were recorded to have been venerated by the early Christians?

The first venerated Christian martyr is St. Polycarp (c. 69-155), the Bishop of Smyrna. In the accounts of his martyrdom we read that the Christians “took up his bones which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold and laid them in a suitable place where the Lord will permit us, as far as possible, to assemble in rapturous joy and celebrate his martyrdom, his birthday, both in order to commemorate the heroes that have gone before, and to train and prepare the heroes yet to come" (The Martyrdom of Polycarp 18, 2-3).

5. Is there a feast dedicated to honour the holy relics?

Yes, there is an old feast which is celebrated in the old calendar of the Roman Missal. It is called the Sacrarum Reliquiarum or the feast of the Holy Relics, which is celebrated in the 5 November.

6. Why do we celebrate the feast days of saints?

Originally, the cult of martyrs was celebrated only at the site of the tomb or where Christian communities possessed the relics of the martyrs. Eventually, the celebration of their feasts was extended throughout the whole Church, especially for places that have been put under their patronage or places that have a special significance to the saint.

7. Why do we have relics of saints interred in our altar tables?

The practice of interring relics of saints under the altar originated from the martyrium or memoria. Today the General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that the practice of deposing relics of saints (even those who were not martyrs) under the altar to be dedicated is retained (GIRM 302; Code of Canon Law 1237, 2) and the praenotanda of the Rite of Dedication of a Church and an Altar reminds us that the relics to be deposited beneath the altar should be a size sufficient to be recognized as parts of human bodies and excessively small relics must not be placed beneath the altar (RDCA 5, a; Ceremonial of Bishops 866, a). In the rite of dedication after the litany of saints we deposit the relics on the altar to signify that the sacrifice of the members has its source in the sacrifice of the Head (RDCA, 14). Saint Ambrose explain it further by saying: Let the triumphant victims rest in the place where Christ is victim: he, however, who suffers for all, upon the altar; they, who have been redeemed by his sufferings, beneath the altar (Epistula 22, 13)

8. Can you think of a scriptural origin on the veneration of relics?

In the Old Testament we have an account of a man being carried for his burial and they have touched his body to the bones of the Prophet Elisha and came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 21). Also, in the Gospel of Matthew, a woman was healed of her haemorrhage simply by touching the fringe on the cloak of Jesus (Mt 9, 20-22). Moreover, we can recall that in the Acts of the Apostles that God is working miracles through Saint Paul when handkerchiefs or aprons are touched to him and are brought to the sick, they were cured of their illnesses and evil spirits came out of them (Acts 19, 11-12).

9. What are the controversies that have been associated with relics?

In the middle ages many fake relics had existed, it became a big business to the extent that they created and produced allegedly relics of saints. Also in history, on the eve of the Protestant reformation, when Masses were multiplied in order to comply with the obligation arising from the stipends offered by the faithful, some priests omitted the words of consecration and raised a relic of a saint during the supposed moment of consecration. (A. Chupungco, What then is Liturgy, 48).

10. How does one determine the authenticity of the relics they possess?

First, relics of saints are to be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by a bishop, or by the episcopal delegate, a postulator or vice postulator or an equivalent ecclesiastical office to issue a relic of a saint or a blessed. The new instruction on Relics in the Church: Authenticity and Preservation published in the year 2017 says that relics of the Blesseds and of the Saints may not be displayed for the veneration of the faithful without a proper certificate of the ecclesiastical authority who guarantees their authenticity. Second, the seal of office is placed on each relic usually in red wax, seals each reliquary or theca (sealed cases of relics) to ensure the safety and authenticity of each relics.

11. Does the Church allow the sale of relics?

The Code of Canon Law prohibits anyone to sell sacred relics (Can 1190.1). A person who is involved in the sale of relics commits simony either by buying or selling (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2121)

12. How should the relics be venerated or exposed?

Relics of saints are to be venerated specifically in their dies natalis, as it has been the practice of the church since the early times or on their specific feast day in the General Roman Calendar or Diocesan Calendar. They can also be venerated anytime whenever they are exposed for public veneration in a specific church or shrine dedicated in their honour. Also, we should always keep in mind that whenever they are exposed publicly, they should be placed in a proper reliquary.

13. Did the Lord, the Blessed Mother, or St. Joseph leave earthly relics?

Our Lord and his Blessed Mother have no earthly remains. We believe and profess that our Lord ascended in heaven and his Blessed Mother was assumed body and soul into heaven (Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus 44). However, there are specific relics attributed to them. One of the most significant relics of our Lord is the relic of the True Cross which is discovered by Empress Helena. Some of the relics of our Lord are mostly associated with his passion, such as the Shroud of Turin in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, the Column of Flagellation in the Basilica of St. Praxedes in Rome, the relic of the Crown of Thorns in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the relic of the Seamless Robe in the Cathedral of Trier in Germany, the relic of the Holy Grail or the Santo Caliz in the Cathedral of Valencia in Spain, the relic of the Table of the Last Supper in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome and the relic of the Holy Crib in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

There are somehow few relics of our Lady that are believed to be existing, some of them are the portion of her robe, her mantle and girdle. Some churches also claim to have a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hair, one of them is the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice. However, the corporal relics of St. Joseph are yet to be discovered. There are, however, some alleged second-class relics of St. Joseph venerated in many churches worldwide, and one of them is his staff (ex baculo), as well as his cloak.

14. Where and when can we still use relics?

In the rite of exorcism, relics of saints or a relic of the True Cross can be used in performing exorcism. It is also appropriate that whenever we visit a sick person, to bring a relic of a saint with us. In the old Roman Ritual there are specific blessings that use relics for a specific purpose such as the Blessing of the Sick with Relic of True Cross (for the Order of St. Benedict), the Blessing of Water with the Relics of St. Peter the Martyr and the Blessing of Water for the Sick in Honour of St. Vincent Ferrer (for the Order of Preachers), the Blessing of Water in Honour of St. Albert the Confessor (for the Order of Discalced Carmelites), Blessing of Water in Honour of St. Ignatius the Confessor (for the Society of Jesus) and Blessing of Water for the Sick in Honour of St. Vincent de Paul (for the Congregation of the Missions).

In the year 1656 in Gargano, Italy we can recall in the events of the apparition of the Archangel Michael that anyone who uses the stones in the grotto will be liberated from the plague and everyone who carried a relic stone from the cave of apparition were miraculously delivered from the plague. Until now it is believed that whoever uses or possesses a relic from the cave of apparition are being delivered from the presence of the devil and protected from all harm.

15. How important are the relics of saints to us?

Saint Norbert says: “You must have a great veneration for the relics of the Saints, for they are more precious than all the treasures of the world. Should you possess any in your house, consider them as the guardians of your home and your heart.” We should always keep in mind that saints are our models and intercessors, the saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history (Catechism of the Catholic Church 828), therefore their relics are always received with particular veneration and attention. On a practical note, we actually do not pray to their relics but they are there to enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and desires, and reminding us of Christ and of the Saints, that we may imitate their virtues (Baltimore Catechism One, 344).

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Bienn Carlo Galang Manuntag is currently studying at St. Mary’s College, Oscott, he is also one of the Vice Postulators of the Order of the Augustinian Discalced.

RELIQUARY (Saint Polycarp)

Pigment ink and watercolour on board by Kevin Angelo Eguia