We had the great privilege of the official Relic of Bl. John Paul II
visiting our John Paul II Catholic Newman Center
Please view below to share in this grace filled historic event!
visiting our John Paul II Catholic Newman Center
Please view below to share in this grace filled historic event!
"The Visit of The Relics of Blessed John Paul II"
Below View a video by The Catholic Post of Peoria Diocese and photos from Daniel Sone
Below View a video by The Catholic Post of Peoria Diocese and photos from Daniel Sone
What are Relics?. . .and Why are they Important?
Article By: Msgr. James E. Kruse, J.C.L.
Nearly every human being has a cherished treasure from a loved one: a family heirloom,
a favorite picture, a lock of hair, jewelry and so on. These items help us to be connected to our
loved one and remember them, especially after their death. There is something natural and very
human about keeping and treasuring an heirloom. These heirlooms are a type of relic.
Drawing from this natural cherishing of heirlooms, Catholics have always held dear to
their heart relics of saints. These relics could be an actual bone, vial of blood, an item used by
the saint such as a prayer book, or a cloth touched to the saint’s body. Overtime the Church
categorized relics: First Class: a part of the saint’s body; Second Class: something personally
used/owned by the saint; Third Class: an item touched to a first or second class relic.
Just as we have a natural desire to remember our loved ones or be close to them through
cherishing an heirloom, even more, we should cherish our brothers and sisters of faith – the
saints. The saints are an example of faith. They teach us ways of holiness. They right now live in
heaven. And, they are interceding for us to join them in heaven. Relics are a way for us to be
connected to our holy brothers and sisters. Because the relic is connected to the saints who are
eternally joined to Christ in heaven, relics are greater than a family heirloom. They are like a
conduit to heaven and divine power.
Throughout history relics have been a source of miraculous healing, inspiration of faith,
and advancement of the Kingdom. These miracles have been documented, even beginning in the
scriptures. Moses carried the bones of Joseph out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19). Men placed a dead man
into the tomb of Eliesus and the dead man came to life (2 Kings 13:21). People touched cloth to
St. Paul’s hands. Then, they touched that cloth to the sick. They were healed (Acts 19:11). St.
Ambrose and St. Augustine wrote about personally witnessing miracles after a martyr’s relic
touched a sick man. Even today, many miracles have been reported in relation to relics of the
recently canonized Saint Padre Pio. Of course, not every veneration of a relic results in
miraculous healings. But, it always connects the person with the saint, and therefore God.
Since the beginning, the Church has upheld the practice of venerating relics. This
veneration is not offering adoration or worship which is due only to God. Veneration is the
honoring, cherishing, respecting, and devotion of heart given to the saints. Veneration is an
expression of our friendship and love for the saints – our brothers and sisters in heaven. This
veneration flows from our admiration of the saint’s holy life and their life with God in heaven.
Sometimes this veneration has been abused and exaggerated. The Church has guarded against
these abuses.
Various pious practices have developed in order to show appropriate veneration to a relic
and the saint. Relics are placed in sacred and artistic vessels called reliquaries. The faithful
often make pilgrimage to the shrine of a relic. Or, the relic travels to different places in order to
allow for veneration. The faithful spend time of prayer in the presence of the relic. They may
meditate upon the holy life of the saint, ask the saint’s intercession, or offer thanks for favors
received. Many times the faithful may be allowed to touch the reliquary or receive a blessing
from the relic. Finally, a holy card or cloth touched to the relic becomes a new third class relic
that can be taken home for future veneration. These should be treated with respect and remind
the person of their moment with the saint’s relic.
a favorite picture, a lock of hair, jewelry and so on. These items help us to be connected to our
loved one and remember them, especially after their death. There is something natural and very
human about keeping and treasuring an heirloom. These heirlooms are a type of relic.
Drawing from this natural cherishing of heirlooms, Catholics have always held dear to
their heart relics of saints. These relics could be an actual bone, vial of blood, an item used by
the saint such as a prayer book, or a cloth touched to the saint’s body. Overtime the Church
categorized relics: First Class: a part of the saint’s body; Second Class: something personally
used/owned by the saint; Third Class: an item touched to a first or second class relic.
Just as we have a natural desire to remember our loved ones or be close to them through
cherishing an heirloom, even more, we should cherish our brothers and sisters of faith – the
saints. The saints are an example of faith. They teach us ways of holiness. They right now live in
heaven. And, they are interceding for us to join them in heaven. Relics are a way for us to be
connected to our holy brothers and sisters. Because the relic is connected to the saints who are
eternally joined to Christ in heaven, relics are greater than a family heirloom. They are like a
conduit to heaven and divine power.
Throughout history relics have been a source of miraculous healing, inspiration of faith,
and advancement of the Kingdom. These miracles have been documented, even beginning in the
scriptures. Moses carried the bones of Joseph out of Egypt (Ex. 13:19). Men placed a dead man
into the tomb of Eliesus and the dead man came to life (2 Kings 13:21). People touched cloth to
St. Paul’s hands. Then, they touched that cloth to the sick. They were healed (Acts 19:11). St.
Ambrose and St. Augustine wrote about personally witnessing miracles after a martyr’s relic
touched a sick man. Even today, many miracles have been reported in relation to relics of the
recently canonized Saint Padre Pio. Of course, not every veneration of a relic results in
miraculous healings. But, it always connects the person with the saint, and therefore God.
Since the beginning, the Church has upheld the practice of venerating relics. This
veneration is not offering adoration or worship which is due only to God. Veneration is the
honoring, cherishing, respecting, and devotion of heart given to the saints. Veneration is an
expression of our friendship and love for the saints – our brothers and sisters in heaven. This
veneration flows from our admiration of the saint’s holy life and their life with God in heaven.
Sometimes this veneration has been abused and exaggerated. The Church has guarded against
these abuses.
Various pious practices have developed in order to show appropriate veneration to a relic
and the saint. Relics are placed in sacred and artistic vessels called reliquaries. The faithful
often make pilgrimage to the shrine of a relic. Or, the relic travels to different places in order to
allow for veneration. The faithful spend time of prayer in the presence of the relic. They may
meditate upon the holy life of the saint, ask the saint’s intercession, or offer thanks for favors
received. Many times the faithful may be allowed to touch the reliquary or receive a blessing
from the relic. Finally, a holy card or cloth touched to the relic becomes a new third class relic
that can be taken home for future veneration. These should be treated with respect and remind
the person of their moment with the saint’s relic.
