Vatican City: From the finger of St. Thomas to the arm of St. Jude, and from the miraculous blood of St. Januarius to the Shroud of Turin, relics hold a deeply revered place in the Catholic Church. To outsiders, the veneration of relics may seem unusual, yet this sacred tradition is firmly rooted in Scripture and the early practices of the Church.
What is a Relic?
A relic is a physical object directly associated with a saint or with Jesus Christ. Its name derives from the Latin word relinquere, meaning “to leave behind.” Relics serve as tangible reminders of the extraordinary holiness and faith of those who have lived in close union with God.
Classes of Relics
Relics are categorized into three main classes:
• First-class relics are parts of a saint’s body, such as bones, flesh, or hair. Examples include the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas or the bone of St. Jude Thaddeus. Fragments of the True Cross are also first-class relics.
• Second-class relics are objects that a saint personally touched or owned, like clothing, books, or personal items.
• Third-class relics are items touched to a first- or second-class relic, such as a rosary that comes into contact with the bones of a saint.
A 2017 decree further distinguishes between “significant” and “non-significant” relics. Significant relics include the bodies of saints or their ashes, which are preserved in sealed urns and kept in secure, sacred locations. Non-significant relics consist of small fragments or objects that were touched by the saint and are also maintained in a reverent manner, free from superstition or commercial misuse.
Authentication of Relics
The Church ensures authenticity, especially for first- and second-class relics. Certification from a bishop or cardinal is mandatory, and scientific tests are conducted to confirm the remains are indeed human. Third-class relics, however, do not undergo formal authentication.
Why Venerate Relics?
Relic veneration honors the extraordinary life and holiness of the saints. Catholics do not worship relics; rather, they venerate them as a pathway to God. St. Jerome explained, “We do not worship relics… but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore him whose martyrs they are.” Through relics, the faithful are inspired to emulate the courage, virtue, and faith of the saints in their own lives.
Biblical Roots and Miracles
The Bible recounts several miraculous events connected with objects. In 2 Kings 13:20-21, a man is resurrected by touching the bones of the prophet Elisha. In Matthew 9:20-22, a woman is healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak. Even handkerchiefs from the Apostle Paul brought healing as described in Acts 19:11-12. While relics may be associated with miracles, the Church teaches that God alone is the cause; relics are simply the vessels through which divine grace may manifest.
Ownership and Rules
Relics are ideally kept in churches or shrines for public veneration. Private ownership is allowed, but the Church strictly forbids the sale of first- and second-class relics. Relics can only be gifted, often requiring Vatican approval for particularly significant pieces.
Where to See Relics
Relics are housed in churches and shrines worldwide. Examples include 1,200 relics at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Indiana, the relics of St. Mark at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and fragments of the True Cross at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Some relics travel on tours, allowing the faithful across the globe to venerate them.
Relics of Jesus and Mary
There are no bodily relics of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she was assumed into heaven, body and soul. The closest is her veil at Chartres Cathedral in France. Similarly, there are no bodily relics of Jesus, but fragments of the True Cross, the manger of Bethlehem, and the pillar of His scourging are venerated worldwide.
Relics, whether a fragment of bone, a piece of cloth, or a holy object, serve as living connections to the saints and Christ Himself, inviting the faithful to deepen their faith, reflect on holiness, and seek inspiration from lives fully dedicated to God.