The Importance of Saint's Relics in the Catholic Church
Relics are very important in the Catholic Church. As explained by The Treasures of the Church, an apostolate directed by Fr. Carlos Martins,
"Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with the saints or with Our Lord. They are usually broken down into three classes. First class relics are the body or fragments of the body of a saint, such as pieces of bone or flesh. Second class relics are something that a saint personally owned, such as a shirt or book (or fragments of those items). Third class relics are those items that a saint touched or that have been touched to a first, second, or another third class relic of a saint.
Scripture teaches that God acts through relics, especially in terms of healing. In fact, when surveying what Scripture has to say about sacred relics, one is left with the idea that healing is what relics “do.”
Many Catholics can use a particular saint's medal, that has an attached third class relic on it, to help to heal a particular illness or ailment that the user has. If you would like to purchase a relic medal for a particular saint, click here. The organization, Treasures of the Church has a video that further explains how they will schedule the exposition of relics for schools, Catholic churches and more, click here to watch the video and to read about this very important organization.
If you would like a list of patron saints and how they can help/heal, please click here.
"Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with the saints or with Our Lord. They are usually broken down into three classes. First class relics are the body or fragments of the body of a saint, such as pieces of bone or flesh. Second class relics are something that a saint personally owned, such as a shirt or book (or fragments of those items). Third class relics are those items that a saint touched or that have been touched to a first, second, or another third class relic of a saint.
Scripture teaches that God acts through relics, especially in terms of healing. In fact, when surveying what Scripture has to say about sacred relics, one is left with the idea that healing is what relics “do.”
- When the corpse of a man was touched to the bones of the prophet Elisha the man came back to life and rose to his feet (2 Kings 13:20-21).
- A woman was healed of her hemorrhage simply by touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak (Matthew 9:20-22).
- The signs and wonders worked by the Apostles were so great that people would line the streets with the sick so that when Peter walked by at least his shadow might ‘touch’ them (Acts 5:12-15).
- When handkerchiefs or aprons that had been touched to Paul were applied to the sick, the people were healed and evil spirits were driven out of them (Acts 19:11-12).
Many Catholics can use a particular saint's medal, that has an attached third class relic on it, to help to heal a particular illness or ailment that the user has. If you would like to purchase a relic medal for a particular saint, click here. The organization, Treasures of the Church has a video that further explains how they will schedule the exposition of relics for schools, Catholic churches and more, click here to watch the video and to read about this very important organization.
If you would like a list of patron saints and how they can help/heal, please click here.
The Franciscans of the Eternal Word has a video that beautifully explains about Our Blessed Mother and the importance of the relics of the saints. Please watch the video below.