What Every Catholic Needs to Know About Relics! | cukierski.net/relicexplanation.shtml

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Relics, when properly reverenced can be powerful Sacramentals and they are not to be taken lightly. These precious gifts can afford us much protection from harm. It is therefore important that any confusion regarding relics, be cleared up!

Over the past 13 years we have found that the same questions continue to be asked, so we felt it time to put together information for folks.

Relics of Christian Saints fall into the following categories:

First-Class Relics
Items directly associated with the events of Christ's life (manger, cross, etc.), or the physical remains of a saint (a bone, a hair, a limb, etc.). Traditionally, a martyr's relics are often more prized than the relics of other saints. Also, some saints' relics are known for their extraordinary incorruptibility (Human remains do not deteriorate as would normally be expected. For instance a 500 year old body that appears as though it is still in wake) and so would have high regard. It is important to note that parts of the saint that were significant to that saint's life are more prized relics. For instance, King St. Stephen of Hungary's right forearm is especially important because of his status as a ruler. A famous theologian's head may be his most important relic. (The head of St. Thomas Aquinas was removed by the monks at the Cistercian abbey at Fossanova where he died). If a saint did a lot of travelling then the bones of his feet may be prized.

Second-Class Relics
An item that the saint wore (a sock, a shirt, a glove, etc.) Also included is an item that the saint owned or frequently used, for example, a crucifix, book etc. Again, an item more important in the saint's life is thus a more important relic.

Third-Class Relics
(which are the ONLY kind our Apostolate offers!)
Any object that is touched to a first class relic.

OF EXTREME IMPORTANCE:
As stated in the Code of Canon Law §1190 §1 and §1190 §2 ...The sale of 1st and 2nd class relics is strictly forbidden by the Church. This does not apply to 3rd class relics which are encouraged, by Holy Mother Church, for use among the laity.

A Third Class Relic is something that has been touched to the body (or to a portion of the body) of a Saint. Also included are first class relics from Our Lord (such as the articles from His Passion) and Our Blessed Mother (Camisia - Veil). In many cases, it needs to be touched up to a glass or other protective device. This does not take away from its authenticity as an object of devotion. In many cases, it will actually touch and come in direct contact with the first class relic.

Generally, the Third Class Relic is a piece of cloth, but it need not be, as long as the item so touched conveys holiness and is touched with the intent that it be a third class Relic. Third class Relics may be given to individuals, and can be sold. In fact, Holy Mother Church encourages this as a means of devotion.

We are blessed to have access to hundreds of relics through different religious communities throughout the world.

One of the earliest sources that purports to show the efficacy of relics is found in 2 Kings 13:20-21:

20 Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. 21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. (NIV)

These verses are cited to claim that the Holy Spirit's indwelling also affects the physical body, that God can do miracles through the bodies of His servants, or both. Also cited is the veneration of Polycarp's relics recorded in the Martyrdom of Polycarp (written 150–160 AD). With regard to relics that are objects, an often cited passage is Acts 19:11–12, which says that Paul's handkerchiefs were imbued by God with healing power.

Many tales of miracles and other marvels were attributed to relics beginning in the early centuries of the church; many of these became especially popular during the Middle Ages. These tales are collected in books of hagiography such as the Golden Legend or the works of Caesar of Heisterbach. These miracle tales made relics much sought after during the Middle Ages.

There are also many relics attributed to Jesus, perhaps most famously the Shroud of Turin, which is allegedly the burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Pieces of the True Cross were one of the most highly sought after such relics

Since the beginning of Christianity, individuals have seen relics as a way to come closer to the saints and thus form a closer bond with God. Since Christians throughout history often took pilgrimages to shrines of holy people, 3rd class relics were allowed for devotion. The pilgrims saw the purchasing of a 3rd class relic as a means to bring the shrine back with him or her upon returning home in a small way. The concept of physical proximity to the “holy” (tombs of saints or their personal objects) was considered extremely important. Instead of having to travel hundreds of miles to become near to a venerated saint, one could venerate the 3rd class relics of the saint within his or her own home. This fostered a devotion that Holy Mother Church fully approved and still approves of.

Do Catholics Worship Relics of Saints?
They do not worship relics as they worship God, by adoration. If you mean worship in the sense of honor or veneration, then Catholics certainly venerate the relics of Saints. The law, "Honor thy father and thy mother," extends to their persons, body and soul; to their reputations, and to all connected with them. We reverence their remains even after death. And if we are not to venerate the remains of relics of the Saints who have been so entirely consecrated to God, are we to desecreate them? Or are we to be blandly indifferent to them as to the bleached bones of some dead animal lying in the fields? The Catholic doctrine, forbidding adoration, yet commanding respect and veneration, is the only possible Christian conduct.

The veneration of relics is licit and useful. This embodies an article of faith.

The 7th Ecumenical Council (A.D. 787) - condemned "those who dare to reject any one of the things which are entrusted to the Church, the Gospel, or the sign of the cross, or any pictorial representation, or the holy relics of a martyr".

The Council of Trent - enjoins bishops and pastors to instruct their flocks that "the holy bodies of saintly martyrs and others now living with Christ - which bodies were the living members of Christ and the temple of the Holy Ghost and which are by Him to be raised unto eternal life and glorified - are to be venerated by the faithful, for through these (bodies) many benefits are bestowed by God on men.

Is There Proof In The Sacred Scriptures?
Old Testament and New Testament
Cfr. Ex. XIII, 19
4 Kings XIII, 21
Ecclus. XLIX, 18
2 Kings, 13:20-21 Matt. IX, 20
Acts V, 15-16
Acts XIX, 11
Acts 19:11-12

Were The Early Saints Aware Of The Importance of Relics?
St. Ambrose relates how a blind man was restored to sight when the newly found bodies of Sts. Gervasius & Protasius were taken to the basilica, and adds: "You know, nay you have seen with your own eyes, how many were delivered from demons and a great number were cured of diseases when they touched the garments of the Saints; how there was a repetition of the miracles of the early days when, in consequence of the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, abundant grace was showered down upon the earth."

St. Cyril of Jerusalem says: "This holy wood of the Cross is still to be seen among us; and through the agency of those who piously took home particles thereof, it has filled the whole earth."

St. Chrysostom tells how men and women used to wear articles of the Cross in golden lockets on the necks.

St. Augustine says, "we have not erected an altar to the martyr, Stephen, but with the relics of the martyr Stephen we have erected an altar to God."