Relics of the Saints

By: Derick Thomas P. Juan

1-OTB
Topics to discussed
• What are Relics?
• What are the teachings of the Church regarding
Relics?
• What is the biblical reference of this kind of devotion?
• How did it began in the Church?
• The Classification of Relics
• Simple rules on Public and Private Veneration
• Relics of Our Lord Jesus Christ existing, and found in
the Philippines
What are Relics?
• The word relic comes from
the Latin word, “reliquiae”,
which means remains.
• In the Catholic tradition,
relics are notably parts of
the body or personal
objects of departed saints,
which were kept and
preserved by the Church as
means of reverence and
veneration.
Ex sanguine Relic of St. John Paul II, pictured during its visit to
Kristong Hari Shrine for the Youth, Diocese of Novaliches,
November 15, 2019 3
What does the Church teaches on
Relics?
• The Council of Trent declares
that “the holy bodies
of holy martyrs and of others
now living with Christ… are to
be venerated by the faithful,
for through these [bodies]
many benefits are bestowed
by God on men, so that they
who affirm that veneration
and honour are not due to
the relics of the saints.”
Ex capillis Relic of Padre Pio, taken during its visit to Our Lady
of Fatima Parish, Urduja Village, Caloocan City, Diocese of
Novaliches, October 5, 2019 4
 What does the Church teaches on
Relics?
We venerate the Saints and
plead for their intercession, but
the honor and glory is due to
the Triune God, through which
there are 3 levels of worship,
that was coined by St. Thomas
Aquinas:
1. Latria – adoration and
worship to the Holy Trinity
2. Hyperdulia – veneration to
the Most Blessed Virgin
Mary, as Queen of all the
Saints, and Mother of God
3. Dulia – veneration to the
Saints and Blesseds Ex vestimentis Relic of Venerable Fulton Sheen, who is set
to be beatified on Dec. 21, 2019 in Peoria Cathedral,
Illinois, USA 5
Biblical Basis on the Relics(TORAH)
• Abraham’s relics were buried
alongside Sarah in the cave of
Machpelah (Gen. 25:9-11)
• Isaac’s relics were buried by
his sons (Gen. 35:29)
• Jacob’s relics were buried by
his son Joseph (Gen. 50:7)
• Joseph was laid to rest in a
coffin in Egypt (Gen. 50:26),
then brought by Moses out of
“Tomb of Joseph at Shechem” by David Roberts, 1839
Egypt (Ex.13:19), then buried
by his successor Joshua at
Shechem (Joshua 24:32)
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Biblical Basis on the Relics (Old Testament)
In 2 Kings 13: 20-21, it was said
that Elisha died and was
buried, when some Moabites
would raid the countryside
during spring. One day, some
Israelites were burying a man’s
body, when they suddenly saw
a band of raiders. Out of fear,
they throw the body of that
man in Elisha’s tomb, and
when the man’s body touches
the bones of the Holy Prophet,
that man came back into life
and was able to stand on his
own feet. 7
Biblical Basis on the Relics (Gospels)
• When He was still in public
ministry, Jesus was touched in
his garment by a woman who
was suffering from
unstoppable hemorrhage,
and was healed from it; this
story became the basis of
third class relics. (Mk 5:25-34)
• His cousin, John the Baptist,
who was beheaded by King
Herod, had his body be
buried by his disciples in a
tomb. (Mark 6:29) 8
Biblical Basis on the Relics (Acts of the Apostles)
• St. Stephen, the protomartyr
of the Church, was given
proper burial by devout men,
after his death by stoning
(8:1)
• One of the memorable verse
from the Acts is when St. Paul
was said to be touched by
handkerchiefs and personal
objects, which his followers Miracles of St Paul at Ephesus, by Jean Restout 1693.

believe gives healing to them

(19:1)
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 How the veneration of Relics became a
Catholic
The earliest account of the
tradition?
veneration of relics comes from the
martyrdom of St. Ignatius of Antioch
& St. Polycarp
• “For only, the harder portions of
[Ignatius’] holy remains were left,
which were conveyed to Antioch
and wrapped in linen, as an
inestimable treasure left to the holy
Church by the grace which was in
the martyr.”
• “we took [Polycarp’s]bones, as
being more precious than the most
exquisite jewels… and depositing
them in a fitting place, whither,
being gathered together… with joy
and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us
to celebrate the anniversary of his
martyrdom…” Above: St. Ignatius of Antioch (Feast Day: Oct. 16)
Below: St. Polycarp of Smyrna (Feast Day: Feb. 23) 10
 How the veneration of Relics became a
Catholic tradition?
Above left: St. Basil the Great (Feast Day: Jan. 2)
Above right: St. Ambrose of Milan (Feast Day: Dec.7)
Below: (left) St. Jerome(Feast Day: Sept.30)
(right) St. Gregory the Great (Feast Day: Sept. 3)
4 Doctors of the Church has their own share
on how early Christians venerate saintly relics
1. St. Basil shares his quest to find a relic
for a community headed by a Bishop-
friend. He believes that having such
presence of Saints will bring joy only if
being venerated and preserved.
2. St. Ambrose gave homilies on the death
of martyrs, and mentioned about how
relics were transferred to Churches and
that some people touch their clothing
article which were “endowed with
healing power”
3. St. Jerome wrote that they venerate the
tombs of martyrs by applying ashes to
their eyes and that they touch them
with their lips.
4. St. Gregory the Great remind the
bishops and people to venerate
reverently the relics they have received.
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 How the veneration of Relics became a
Catholic tradition?
• During the 4 Century, shrines and
th
basilica were built for the veneration of
Saints, with decorations of beautiful
art, and thus began pilgrimages.
• 12 centuries later, in the Council of
Trent, they address the issues of faking
and desecrating relics, as well as
instructing the clergy to the faithful on
relics as “holy bodies of holy martyrs
and of other now living with Christ.
• Relic assumed also a place in liturgical
celebrations, since altars were built
over the tombs of martyrs, so does
relics of saints are deposited in the
center of the altar, namely the “altar
stone” where the Chalice and the Host
are placed during Mass, as a way of
sanctification of the Holy Sacrifice. The
depositing is done during the Above: Council of Nicaea
dedication of an altar or the whole Middle: Council of Trent
parish. Below: Depositing Relics below the Altar during the Dedication of a
Church 12
 Classification of Relics
Relics, like many things in the world, do have a
classification, but it doesn’t mean that if a relic has a
higher classification, it is more sacred than the other,
because all of the relics are sacred, no matter what
level they are. The Classifications of Relics are:
1. First Class Relics
2. Second Class Relics
3. Third Class Relics

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 First Class Relics
• Remains of the Saints, or any parts
of their body, either the organs,
flesh, or even the bones of the
Saints.
• Also classified are the ashes from
decomposition or even the ashes
of martyrs who were burned at
stake, and clothes imbued with
bloods or bodily fluids, and some
of the flesh or skin.
• Relics of these are required to be
accompanied with a Certificate of
Authenticity, signed either by the
Bishop, postulator or competent
Ecclesial authority, for the purpose
of public veneration.
• They were usually placed in theca,
which are metal containers that Left: Certificate of Authenticity of the Relic signed by the General
preserve the bodily relics. Secretary of the Congregation of the Brothers of Mercy of Mary,

• Given only to clergy, parishes, and Help of Christians

Right: Actual ex ossibus Relic of Blessed Peter Friedhofen
religious communities. 14
 First Class Relics (different terms)
Latin Descriptions English Translation
Ex capillis, Ex crinibus From the hair
Ex carne, Ex corpore From the flesh
Ex cute, Ex pelle From the skin
Ex ligneo pulvere, mixto pulveri corporis, From the wood of the coffin mixed with ashes
quem residuum continebat prima capsa
funeralis
Ex ossibus From the bones
Ex panno a stigmatibus cruentato From the bandage impregnated by blood
from the stigmatic wound
Ex praecordis From the intestines
Ex pulvere corpiris, Ex cineribus From the ashes
Ex sanguine From the blood
Ex tela imbuta sanguine et humoris From the cloth imbued with blood and bodily
fluids
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permeated with flesh.
 Second Class Relics
• Objects or pieces of things that
are used by holy men and women
while they were still alive.
• Also considered are natural
objects that were touched by the
Blessed Virgin Mary or other
Angels and Saints, during
apparitions.
• Oftentimes, they are placed in
laminated prayer cards, and some
rarely be placed in thecas, and are
generously given by postulators
even before beatification, and
while deceased holy people are
candidates for Sainthood.
Above: Relic of stones, in which it was stepped by St. Michael the
• These relics usually has given Archangel in his apparitions between 494-1656in the cave of
more greater access for the Monte Gargano, Italy. Pictured during its exposition for public
faithful to the said Saint. veneration in Sto. Niño de Congreso Parish, Congress Village,
Caloocan City, Diocese of Novaliches, on Sept. 29, 2019
• Sometimes, these relics of this Below: Ex vestimentis Relic of Servant of God Emil Kapaun,
chaplain of the US military, with a Certificate of Authenticity
class may have Certificates of signed by an Episcopal Delegate of the Cause
Authenticity 16
 Second Class Relics (different terms)
Latin Descriptions English Translation
Ex baculo From the staff/walking stock
Ex bireto From the biretta
Ex breviaro From the Breviary
Ex arca sepulcrali, Ex capsa sepulcralis From the tomb, from the coffin
Ex fascia From the sash
Ex cinctura From the cincture
Ex indumentis, Ex veste From the clothing
Ex veste, Ex vestimentis From the vestments
Ex tunica From the tunic
Ex habito From the habit
Ex velo From the veil
Ex linteis From the used linen of a holy person
Ex sporta From the basket
Ex vinculis From
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 Third Class Relics
• Any personal objects that
we own, which are
touched directly to first or
second class relics.
• They are not considered
relics per se, but as “sacred
memento”, a reminder of
the sacred encounter with
a Saint or Blessed.
• Most of third class relics
are called ex brandea, or
cloth that touched the Devotees flock to the Manila Cathedral to get a chance to see and
touch the relic of Incorrupt Heart of Saint Padre Pio,. (Photo
tomb. courtesy of
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Simple Rules for Public & Private Veneration
Public Veneration Private Veneration
• Relics with Certificates
Authenticity, especially First Class
of
• Relics can be owned by
Relics can be expose on the behest private individuals, with
of the Parish Priest during the Saint’s
Feast Day, on All Saints Day, and the
Feast of all Holy Relics (Nov. 5).
the promise of having
• Relics without certificates are not devotion to these saints,
considered as what it is, due to lack
of authenticity and official proof of
and praying for the causes
documents. of those who were
• No relics should be expose during awaiting beatification and
the Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament and the Holy Relic of the canonization.
Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Since December 2017, only Priests • Relics are sometimes
and Religious Communities can be
allowed to have First Class Relics in placed on Prayer Cards for
their possession . private veneration
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Some of the relics of Our Lord Jesus Christ around the world

The Seamless Robe,

Fragments of the True Holy Nails of Our Lord, Trier Cathedral, The Crown of Thorns,
Cross, in Vienna Austria Bamberg Cathedral, Germany Archdiocese of Paris,
Germany France

Shroud of Turin, A Vial of the Holy Blood,

Basilica of the Holy The Pillar of Flagellation Veil of Veronica
Turin Cathedral, Italy
Blood, Bruges, Belgium Basilica of St. Praxedes, St. Peter’s Basilica
Rome
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 Relics of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Philippines

Relic of the True Cross, Relic of the True Cross, Relic of the True Cross,
Monasterio de Tarlac, Sto. Niño de la Pasion Quasi-Parish Blessed Ivan Merz Center and
Diocese of Tarlac Diocese of Kalookan Reliquarium
Relic of the True Cross, Diocese of Antipolo
Our Lady of Victories Church,
Diocese of Cubao

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• St. Norbert of Xanten,
founder of the Norbertine
order, have said,
“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.”
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 • Sarah Vowell, American
author and actress said,

“Relics are treasured

as something close
to the divine.”

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Please like and support Relic promotion page

https://www.facebook.com/RelicsPrayerCardsDioNova/

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References
• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12734a.htm
• https://www.catholic.com/qa/is-veneration-of-relics-condemned-by-the-bible
• https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/25/incorrupt-heart-of-saint-padre-pio-to-be-brought-back-to-
italy-tomorrow/
• https://churchpop.com/2015/11/12/11-amazing-relics-from-the-life-of-our-lord-jesus/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil_of_Veronica
• https://m.facebook.com/sspx.philippines.ourladyofvictorieschurch/photos/a.1436838479714320/22
91408744257285/?type=3&source=54
• https://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2011/07/sacred-relic-of-the-holy-cross.html
• https://quotefancy.com/quote/1456326/Sarah-Vowell-Relics-are-treasured-as-something-close-to-
the-divine
• https://www.facebook.com/ArmaChristiRelic/photos/a.1469880199796689/2282455135205854/?ty
pe=3&eid=ARB8jtu5OvbIAgYIS2UZV3CdlJAo-
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nReQqVWgKZWJtdHcNS_o7cZ7aZIPrkI6a-
SL83jx1Ai2S6LfEmxuYOWF2VxIOeQrMVtdLxI4QUoiaHdwCeYpFXTjWGaw4dKk0pJL72umaWizrruyUbj
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Lt3DtV9bdbzb3uvvbroEBQQ41cmpZWUZzegJcoVIfSyQSxQ76G354u72gR38KdaMEtPJ7JgmLvH2lJ5pet
X20Q-ikHfUWyywEvcXsN2d3NkGxp-&__tn__=EHH-R

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