Question regarding saint's bodies

[Achichem]

Hello all,
I hope you all having a good day,

About a week ago my Catholic Oma showed me pictures of her visit to Quebec, to see some type of catholic tour [I forget the details]. I was a little more then socked to see pictures of saint bodies in glass display cases, as well as one of their hand plated in Gold.

Now, I know there is logic behind the action of the church, yet back when I was a catholic, I only was shown the evidence for how praying through the saint as outlets could help get messages to G-d, yet none of these suggested anything regarding their bodies.

Can someone tell me the logic here, or scripture behind this practice?

I am curious cause I rather like to know so I don’t have to be so leery, if they ever come up again.

Thank you in advance,
Datsar

 

[MorphRC]

Shalom Bro [Btw. What is Brother in hebrew?]

Ive never heard of gold-plated hands, maybe the person was a healer of hands, and the gold is to protect them from the climate, to keep them Holy. As you said, there is logic behind it, finding it can make you illogical ..HA HA .hmm

I know Saint Bernadettes body in Notre Dame has been there for over 100 years has hasnt aged a bit since. I dont know the scripture specifically for it, but there is no need for scripture for everything Bro. Sounds like you being sucked into the Protestant trick of scripture alone, if I am wrong please say so..please!

Im sure a more learned Catholic will come along and give you some more help

Baruch Hashem.

 

[Photini]

Those who have purified their hearts and have the Holy Spirit abiding in them constantly become sanctified also in their physical bodies. So some holy saints we see attained such sactity that their bodies did not see corruption. This also happens with their clothing and possessions sometimes. We see this in Acts 19:12, where Paul's handkerchiefs were taken to the sick and possessed and they were healed. There is also the instance of Lazarus' bones, but I don't recall the verse right off hand.
They become vessels of God's grace, and that is why they are kept dear to the faithful. I'm not so sure that glass "display" boxes are appropriate though. The relics shouldn't be looked upon like you look at displays in a museum.

After St. Nektarios of Aegina died in a hospital, one of his garments was tossed onto the next bed where a paralytic was. The paralytic was healed instantly.

 

[Acceptance]

When saints bodies are entombed in a glass case it could be for a couple reasons. The most likely reason I know of that they do it, is because these bodies are incorruptables. Incorruptables are saints who died and were burried without being preserved/embalmed, later when they were exhumed, for whatever reason, despite the fact that in some cases hundreds of years had passed they still looked freshly dead or even sometimes alive -- pink skin, glassy eyes, low tone (the bodies were not stiff), etc. This was actually recently being discussed on this forum:
http://www.christianforum.com/t78944&page=1

I thought it was weird that they would keep the bodies around too, after all I figured, what "powers" could they have. Turns out they don't have 'powers' and that's not even why they're kept around, but there are several places sited in the bible where a very holy persons shadow falling on someone healed them, or even touching the cloak of a holy person healed someone, so they may be faith evoking or be a vessel (for lack of a better word at the moment) through which God continues to work.

They could have been entombed for another reason, but someone else would have to tell you what that is.

 

[Oblio]

We see Biblical evidence of healings by the relics of Saints. This is confirmed by countless miracles that have occured through the relics of post NT saints. Relics are venerated because they are repositories of the Grace of God that dwells in them, it is this same Grace, not the relics themselves, that is responsible for the miracles.

 

[KennySe]

In Europe, in Catholic Churches, especially in Italy, you will see bones of the faithfully departed.

By our North American standards, this practice will seem macabre.
We separate the Earth living and the Heavenly alive in a physical manner.
"Put the body 6 feet under, or in a nice urn".

The Catholic Church places a relic under/in every altar.
The Book of Revelation makes mention of the martyrs under the altar which is in Heaven. (Revelation 6:9)
And in Europe Cathedrals of Old, are buried throughout the building, deceased of the Church.

St. Peter's Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Peter.

I think in Palermo, Italy, in the "basement" of the old church [it is called the catacombs, but it was a basement to my eyes) are the buried deceased of the parish in the 1800's. The catacombs having filled up, was no longer useable space.

Again, it is the mindset of the modern, civilized, sterilized, society that so separates the earth living believers from the Believers in heaven.

***

Go to Greece and have a gyro. A REAL gyro from a street vendor.
And you wil better understand my comment of our North American sterilized society.

 

[Oblio]

Go to Greece and have a gyro. A REAL gyro from a street vendor.

I was there It was the Nativity Fast



Thank the Lord for Octopus

 

[KennySe]

verses re: relics

2 Kgs 13:20 (contact with Elisha's bones)
Acts 5 15-16 (Peter's shadow)
Acts 19:11-12 (handkerchiefs that had touched Paul)

***

The power of God passing through material objects.

 

[KennySe]

Having a Greek gyro in Greece from a street vendor.. is similar to having a hot dog from a vendor in New York City... or a taco from a street vendor in Tijuana, Mexico.

 

[Achichem]

[Btw. What is Brother in hebrew?]

'ach I think...I not that good a hebrew you think I would remember the simpel ones.

Sounds like you being sucked into the Protestant trick of scripture alone

LOL

So some holy saints we see attained such sactity that their bodies did not see corruption.

I thought I heard her say that, but i was a little taken at the time to tell you the truth.

We see Biblical evidence of healings by the relics of Saints. This is confirmed by countless miracles that have occured through the relics of post NT saints. Relics are venerated because they are repositories of the Grace of God that dwells in them, it is this same Grace, not the relics themselves, that is responsible for the miracles.

I defintlly realize that one;
but it always good for a reminder
thanks

The Catholic Church places a relic under/in every altar.
The Book of Revelation makes mention of the martyrs under the altar which is in Heaven. (Revelation 6:9)

I didn't know that, and hey I thought I knew everything catholic, like all the other ex-catholics out there

In Europe, in Catholic Churches, especially in Italy, you will see bones of the faithfully departed.

That makes sence,

Thanks again all,

 

[MorphRC]

Np Bro! Well by your reaction to that scripture alone stance, doesnt seem you have been! A FREE MIND!..So do speak..LOL.