Relics

Relics are usually the physical remains of a saint or other important person in the

Christian faith, such as a martyr or priest, preserved for the use of veneration as a memorial.

They can also be accessories, objects, or articles of clothing belonging to the saints, such as St.

Paul’s handkerchiefs, which were reported to have healing powers imbued by God in Acts

19:11. 1 In the Catholic faith, Relics are divided into three classes: First class relics are a part of

the person’s body, second class would be an article touched or owned by the person and

includes instruments of torture used against a martyr, and third class is something touched

indirectly by the person via touching it to a first or second class relic, or the tomb of a saint. 2

Some Catholics refuse to accept class three relics as authentic others even argue of a fourth

class, and it’s still widely debated among many.

The Veneration of relics began as a custom meant to show reverence at the graves of

martyrs Miracles are believed to have been worked by god through relics in many cases, in the

same way god worked through the lives of those closely

tied to the Christian faith. An example of this, the blood of

Saint Januarius, is held in a cathedral in Naples. The dried

blood is preserved in a strongbox, and is said to liquefy

again every year on the anniversary of his martyrdom,

signifying another year of well-being in the Italian city, and

protection against natural disasters and disease. 3

1
[ CITATION Wil95 \l 1033 ]
2
[ CITATION Rev03 \l 1033 ]
3
[ CITATION Vin13 \l 1033 ]
 Relics are kept in altars inside a cavity called a sepulcher, or inside a reliquary, which is

special container made just for that relic. They can be boxes, chests, caskets, or even metal

containers made in the shape of what it is containing,

such as a leg or a hand, an example of which being the

hand of St. Francis Xavier. St. Francis was widely

recognized for expanding the Catholic mission across

Asia, and to commemorate that, his left hand has

traveled to museums in Japan, China, and India. 4

The tradition of Relics, as described by Elizabeth Lev in an article for the Catholic News

Service, dates back to when Christianity was just starting out. It served as a symbol to people

who doubted the faith. Priests would use these relics to demonstrate, tangibly, to people who

were not convinced; “look, this is the body of someone in heaven”. They serve as a reminder

that those who have died are always a part of the church, still alive in what they leave behind. 5

4
[ CITATION Col72 \l 1033 ]
5
[ CITATION Car11 \l 1033 ]