Q&A: What are relics?

Intermountain Catholic

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These reliquaries hold the relics recently obtained by the Diocese of Salt Lake City; the crucifix in the center has pictures of the three: Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Maria Goretti and Saint Jose Luis Sanchez Del Rio.

SALT LAKE CITY — The relics of saints recently have been news here in the Diocese of Salt Lake City for several reasons: the relic of Saint Mary Magdalene was stolen from the Cathedral of the Madeleine on July 10, and over the course of the past year the diocese has obtained relics of three young saints, Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Maria Goretti and Saint Jose Luis Sanchez Del Rio. In addition, the Arm of Saint Jude will visit Saint Ambrose Parish on Oct. 19.

“Relics are our connection to the holy people in heaven,” said Father Martin Diaz, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, noting that many churches have a relic of their patron saint so that “that saint is in a very special way present.”

The loss of the relic of St. Mary Magdalene, which was brought to the diocese in 1918 by the Right Rev. Joseph S. Glass, C.M., second Bishop of Salt Lake, was devastating, Fr. Diaz said. He added that cathedral officials are working to obtain another relic, perhaps from The Church of Sainte Marie Madeleine in Paris, France, or from the diocese in southern France where the original icon was obtained, or from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Holy See.

If a relic can be obtained, Fr. Diaz hopes to lead a pilgrimage to the area, celebrate Mass and visit nearby holy sites, he said.

Catholic teaching on relics was codified by the Council of Trent in the 16th century, which stated that “in the invocation of saints the veneration of relics and the sacred use of images, every superstition shall be removed and all filthy lucre abolished.” In the years since then, the process for canonizing saints and the veneration of their relics has been made even more clear. The answers to some frequently asked questions about relics follow.

What is a relic?

There are three classes of relics. A first-class relic is a part of the body of a saint. A second-class relic is an item or fragment of an item that was owned by a saint. A third-class relic is an item that was touched by a saint, or an item that has been touched to a first- or second-class relic, or has been touched to a container housing such a relic.

What is a saint?

While every person in heaven is considered a saint, the men and women who are canonized by the Catholic Church are those “who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation,” states https://www.usccb.org/offices/public-affairs/saints.

According to official Church procedure, a candidate for sainthood first becomes “Venerable;” this person is “recognized formally by the pope as having lived a heroically virtuous life or offered their life,” the website states. “To be beatified and recognized as a Blessed, one miracle acquired through the candidate’s intercession is required in addition to recognition of heroic virtue or offering of life. Canonization requires a second miracle after beatification. The pope may waive these requirements. A miracle is not required prior to a martyr’s beatification, but one is required before canonization.”

What is veneration?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines veneration of saints as “showing devotion and respect to Mary, the Apostles, and the martyrs” as well as saints. “Veneration must be clearly distinguished from adoration and worship, which are due to God alone,” the CCC states.  

Why do Catholics venerate relics?

“Relics in the Church have always received particular veneration and attention because the body of the Blesseds and of the Saints, destined for the resurrection, has been on earth the living temple of the Holy Spirit and the instrument of their holiness, recognized by the Apostolic See through beatification and canonization.” – “Relics in the Church: Authenticity and Preservation,” by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints

How does one obtain a plenary indulgence for venerating relics?

A plenary indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sin that has been confessed and forgiven.  To receive the indulgence, a person must venerate an icon, then pray for the pope’s intentions. They also must go to Confession and receive Communion within 20 days of visiting the relic.