What’s with Relics?
The coming of the relics of St. Thérèse and Saints Louis and Zélie Martin to the Archdiocese was an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and spiritual benefits of venerating relics in the tradition of the Catholic Church.
The word “relics” derives from the Latin reliquiae, meaning “remains.” Relics are physical objects held in reverence due to their association with the saints or with our Lord. They are classified as first, second, or third class. A first class relic is part of a saint’s body (e.g., bone, blood, flesh). Second class relics are possessions a saint owned, such as clothing. Third class relics are objects touched to a first, second, or another third class relic.
The veneration of relics has its roots in Sacred Scripture — for example, 2 Kings 13:20-21 (a man revived by touching the bones of Elisha), Matthew 9:20-22 (a woman healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak), Acts 5:12-15 (Peter’s shadow), and Acts 19:11-12 (handkerchiefs touched to Paul). In each case God worked through something earthly to bring about healing. As always, God is the cause of healing; relics are a means through which he acts — they are not magic.
St. Jerome summarized our belief: “We do not worship relics, we do not adore them… But we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore him whose martyrs they are.” (Ad Riparium). Our veneration of relics reminds us we are part of the Communion of Saints, the great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1).
Common Questions
- Are photos allowed? Yes — for personal use only, taken in a way that respects the relics and those venerating them.
- Can we touch the relics? Venerators were allowed to touch the reliquaries. Many brought an item to touch to the reliquary, making it a third class relic.