A question about "relics"

[Suzannah]

Dear Brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus, our Lord !
I am new to Orthodoxy from Protestantism. Please believe me when I say I am completely Catholic friendly and intend to remain so. I will not flame you over "schismatic issues". I'm just a simple Christian!

I asked this question in the Orthodox forum, but I would also dearly love to hear from you also. What are the Catholic beliefs about relics? I am absolutely fascinated with them. I am reading a book about the lives of the Apostles, and in each bio, the author tries to give any info about any relics that exist (if any) and where they are. I notice that the Vatican has some wonderful examples (I have not finished the book and barely started.)

Does every Catholic church have a relic from a Saint? If so, what are your thoughts about it? For myself, I said in the other forum, that if a church had the walking stick of Peter, I would just dearly want to touch it and to imagine Peter's advice for my life. I would not worship it, but just want to touch it.
I love "old" things, and I have many "antiques" in my home and I often think of the people who owned them originally and wonder what they were like. This would be the same way I would approach a relic, except with a lot more "reverence" and honor.
Please tell me your thoughts?
Love,
In Christ,
Suzannah

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Yes, we do venerate relics.

I don't think EVERY Catholic Church has a relic from a Saint...there arent enough relics to go around!

Personally, at my last RCIA class, I was given a Rosary that was touched to some bone fragments from the Apostles, which makes it a third-class relic.

I suppose we could "make" more third-class relics to be in every Church, but I don't know if that is a good idea or not.

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I have been taught that there is a relic in every Catholic church's altar. Am I wrong?

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

I have been taught that there is a relic in every Catholic church's altar. Am I wrong?

I dont think there is one in my chapel on base...but then again it is a multi-faith chapel that we share, so that might not count.

I'm not sure about every "real" altar having one or not.

 

[prodromos]

Yes, every altar in a Catholic church has a relic of a Saint. This practice is a continuation of the catacomb church during the early periods of intense persecution. The Christians gathered for Divine Liturgy (Mass) around the tombs of their fallen brethren. The tomb was used as the altar as it was sanctified by the presence of the martyrs relics within. Orthodox do the same thing except instead of a relic being placed inside the altar, it is sown into the corner of a special cloth which is then placed on the altar. Thus it is possible for Divine liturgy to be celebrated anywhere where you can lay the cloth, important when you need to change location from time to time to avoid being arrested by the authorities, the East having been under Moslem rule at times in the past.

John.

<edit>
Sorry, I didn't notice you started an identicle thread in TAW. I need to refresh more often
</edit>

 

[Suzannah]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Oblio]

Personally, at my last RCIA class, I was given a Rosary that was touched to some bone fragments from the Apostles, which makes it a third-class relic.

My chotki (prayer rope) was placed on the following after I was blessed to venerate them: a portion of the True Cross and the Reed that held the sponge, the Belt of the Theotokos, and the skulls of Ss. John Chrysostom & Gregory the Theologian.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

My chotki (prayer rope) was placed on the following after I was blessed to venerate them: a portion of the True Cross and the Reed that held the sponge, the Belt of the Theotokos, and the skulls of Ss. John Chrysostom & Gregory the Theologian.

Wow!

Where is the True Cross anyway? And what is the Belt of Mary?

 

[Angelus00]

I dont think there is one in my chapel on base...but then again it is a multi-faith chapel that we share, so that might not count.

I'm not sure about every "real" altar having one or not.

Defens,

I attended a multi-use chapel in Texas. I asked about the relic issue and my priest told me that for most there is a cloth (kinda like a hankie) that has a relic sewn into it. That's because the relic is supposed to be imbedded in the altar (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and since the chapels on military bases are "technically" transient, they can't imbed a relic in a base chapel. Leastwise, that's what my priest told me.

 

[Wolseley]

Here's an excellent book on the topic: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/002-4383325-4934418?v=glance&s=books

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Here's an excellent book on the topic: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_1/002-4383325-4934418?v=glance&s=books

I put it on my Amazon Wishlist purely because of your recommendation sir, thank you!

 

[Oblio]

Wow!

And what is the Belt of Mary?

The Holy Belt Of The Theotokos

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

The Holy Belt Of The Theotokos

Interesting...I would think camel hair would normally have degraded...is this not the case with the Belt?

 

[ps139]

old thread about relics:
http://www.christianforums.com/t67072

 

[Cat59]

I've been to Glatonbury today and it is such an amazing experience to be in the place where holy men such as St Dunstan lived, preached and worshipped.
Like Suzannah, it gives me that tremendous sense of awe!

 

[Suzannah]

Yes, Cat! Exactly!

 

[thereselittleflower]

We were shown the relic in the alter in our Adoration Chapel - it was under the cloth that covers the altar, in a block set into the alter . . it has a small "lid" that I don't know if you can open or not, where the relic is inlaid into the stone block. It is my understanding that all Catholic Altars have a relic like this . . (interfaith chapels being the exception out of necessity) . .

Peace in Him!

 

[prodromos]

Interesting...I would think camel hair would normally have degraded...is this not the case with the Belt?

You would think the same about Saint Mary Magdelan's hand, of Saint John Chrysostom's right ear or the wood of the true cross

John.

 

[KennySe]

Defens0r's key word was "normally".

 

[prodromos]

And the response to that is that the saints and the objects associated with them are by no means "normal" (relative to our earthly frame of reference of course)

John.