The Catholic Church is known for its reverence for relics of the saints.

What is a relic?

The word “relic” comes form the Latin “reliquiae,” which means “remains” or more specifically “remains of the dead.”

Relics include bodily remains of a saint, but also objects they used in everyday life like clothing.

There are three “classes” or relics:

1. First Class Relic: body parts of a saint
2. Second Class Relic: something owned, used, or used against a saint
3. Third Class Relic: an object that touched a first or second class relic.

First and Second Class Relics are kept in reliquaries to recognize their significance and to be on display for veneration. Relics are also placed inside of the altar of Catholic Churches. Usually the relic in a church’s altar is a relic of the namesake of the church.

Selling a relic is called “simony,” and banned by the Church. Relics can only be bought with money if it saves the relic from desecration.

Why Do Catholics Venerate Relics?

Technically speaking, a saint or martyr is a person whose soul is now in heaven while the body remains on earth.

Therefore, the body of a saint is to be treated reverently. To venerate a relic is to offer respect and recognize our unity in faith with a soul in heaven.

These relics remind us of the holiness of the saint. They give us opportunities to turn to this saint in heaven and ask for his or her prayers to God with whom they are united in heaven.

The goal isn’t to gain special powers through a relic, but to recognize and give honor to the saint. Nevertheless, there are many examples of healing miracles of individuals in close contact with relics. Sometimes these healing miracles are even included as reasons for a saint’s canonization.

SUBSCRIBE for more Catholic videos: [ Ссылка ]

CONNECT WITH THE RELIGION TEACHER:
-- Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
-- Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
-- Pinterest: [ Ссылка ]

CONNECT WITH JARED:
-- Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
-- Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
-- LinkedIn: [ Ссылка ]

ARE YOU A RELIGIOUS EDUCATOR? CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES:

-- Activities: [ Ссылка ]
-- Popular Lesson Plans: [ Ссылка ]
-- The Religion Teacher's Guide to Lesson Planning: [ Ссылка ]
-- BECOME A MEMBER: Access hundreds of printable worksheets, class videos, and online courses here: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть