Veneration of Saints' RelicsDuring the weekend of Feb. 5-6, Sacred Heart Parish will be hosting relics of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, a woman whose devotion to God inspirited her to give unconditionally of her self as a wife, mother and doctor and who ultimately sacrificed her own life for her child in 1962. As a modern saint with a traditional family lifestyle, she can inspire us to serve our family and others with great love. She is also a special intercessor for families, women having difficult pregnancies and infertile couples. The relics are a pair of her gloves which were entrusted to the national St. Gianna Society by Pietro Molla, St. Gianna's husband.
Like me, you may be wondering how relics relate to your Catholic faith and how best to honor them. Below is some helpful information from the website of the Archdiocese of Boston on the meaning and veneration of relics.
Relics of SaintsThe word “relic” comes from the Latin “reliquiae” which refers to some object, notably a part of the body or clothes, which remains as a memorial of a departed saint. A relic can either consist of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint. The veneration of relics is not exclusive to Christianity but has been in use by many different cultures and religious systems.
For Catholics, relics help us to honor the saints and to help keep us connected to those men and women who are our heroes in faith. The Church altar, which is the center of worship for sacred liturgy, contains a saintly relic. Also, many cures and miracles are attributed to relics, not because of their own power, but because of the holiness of the saint they represent.
Teaching from Church Documents on RelicsThe Second Vatican Council recalls that "the Saints have been traditionally honoured in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration". Various forms of popular veneration of the relics of the Saints, include touching, kissing, decorations with lights and flowers, bearing them in processions, and being blessed with the relics. Such should be conducted with great dignity and be motivated by faith. Genuflection before relics is inappropriate as it is a gesture of veneration reserved only for the Trinity.
It is a great opportunity to have these relics in our parish to draw us closer to a holy life, to remind us of the intercession of saints, and to enliven our zest and spirit to protect all human life including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and the sick, just as St. Gianna did.
Relics of SaintsThe word “relic” comes from the Latin “reliquiae” which refers to some object, notably a part of the body or clothes, which remains as a memorial of a departed saint. A relic can either consist of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint. The veneration of relics is not exclusive to Christianity but has been in use by many different cultures and religious systems.
For Catholics, relics help us to honor the saints and to help keep us connected to those men and women who are our heroes in faith. The Church altar, which is the center of worship for sacred liturgy, contains a saintly relic. Also, many cures and miracles are attributed to relics, not because of their own power, but because of the holiness of the saint they represent.
Teaching from Church Documents on RelicsThe Second Vatican Council recalls that "the Saints have been traditionally honoured in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration". Various forms of popular veneration of the relics of the Saints, include touching, kissing, decorations with lights and flowers, bearing them in processions, and being blessed with the relics. Such should be conducted with great dignity and be motivated by faith. Genuflection before relics is inappropriate as it is a gesture of veneration reserved only for the Trinity.
It is a great opportunity to have these relics in our parish to draw us closer to a holy life, to remind us of the intercession of saints, and to enliven our zest and spirit to protect all human life including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and the sick, just as St. Gianna did.
