1st Class Relics Question

[Surprisekitty]

Well, I was browsing Ebay and I came across a few 1st class relics that were housed inside small cross reliquary’s that frequently appeared attached to rosary’s and the like.

Now, I was browsing around and whenever someone mentions buying a relic, another always says “It is illegal to buy or sell relics unless you give it to the church for veneration.”

But that’s what is confusing me - If 1st class relics are supposed to be venerated publicly, why are there antique rosary reliquaries that house (multiple) 1st class relics? Were they intended for private use?

And if so, if one were to buy such a reliquary (with relics), should you still give them it to the Church? I mean, such a reliquary (rosary) doesn’t seem constructed for public veneration in mind.

Before anyone asks, I don’t intend to commit simony, I just like browsing around. Although I would dearly love to have one of those reliquary rosaries with the multiple 1st class relics inside for use in my daily rosary, I don’t think I could do more good buying a relic for around 400$ when I could spend that 400$ giving to the poor or something, which I believe cannon law says is one of the conditions for buying a relic right? Well, something along those lines at least.

Actually, could someone link me a site to explain simony in depth? I honestly find myself confused on the church’s “No buying of relics” stance. If such relics were put into rosaries for private use, obviously it was allowed at one point. I mean, how many relics are just holed up in Rome never being venerated or even seen? I don’t know, it just seems odd to me, I don’t see how the faithful having even a small relic does anything bad for one’s faith and worship. On a related note, hasn’t making 1st class relics impossible to obtain actually empowered the relic market on Ebay? All the people selling ‘reliquarys’ for so much money really infuriates me.

 

[Polycarp1]

What makes you believe they are first class relics?

The first category is a piece of cloth touched to a First or Second Class Relic of the Saint. The second category, in cases where there is no known existing relic of a saint, the cloth has been touched to the shrine of the saint. Generally, the Third Class Relic is a piece of cloth, but it need not be, as long as the item so touched conveys Holiness and is touched with the intent that it be a Third Class Relic. Third Class Relics may be given to individuals, and may be sold. Fourth Class Relics are virtually the same as Third Class Relics and may be sold also.

 

[FonsBonitatis]

Fourth Class Relics are virtually the same as Third Class Relics and may be sold also.

There’s only three classes of relic, no?

The only information about “fourth class” relics I’ve found is from the website you appear to be quoting from.

 

[Padres1969]

Ok, can someone explain to me the purpose of relics, particularly 3rd class relics? I mean it touched a 1st or 2nd class relic… why does that make it venerable all of a sudden?

 

[pianistclare]

Relics are used and possessed for the same reason we have sacred art, or other devotional objects.
For praying.

First class relics are extremely rare.
I rec’d a 2nd class relic from the Theresa of Calcutta cult promoting her cause for canonization.
That’s a better way than Ebay if you’re looking for authenticity.
Ebay is great for many things, but not this.

 

[FonsBonitatis]

I rec’d a 2nd class relic from the Theresa of Calcutta cult promoting her cause for canonization.

Actually, the page from the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center website that offers relics can answer some of your questions, Padres1969. This might also be a good resource for a bit of a conversation on the topic: chnetwork.org/deep-in-scripture/david-anders-deep-in-scripture-09292010/.

I would also encourage folks to contact the Mother Teresa Center and request a relic of their own. Keep in mind that the standard one they send is a 3rd class relic, but they also have a smaller supply of 2nd class relics, from her habit, that you can request. I think they simply want to be assured that the person receiving the 2nd class relic is a sincere Catholic who will properly venerate said relic. They also send medals that are 3rd class relics, and your Pastor can discuss obtaining a 1st class relic with them as well.

I found out about all of this first from a thread here on CAF, and then from en email discussion my wife had with one of the Sisters. And of course, I quite agree with pianistclare: this sort of method is really the best one for trying to find relics.

 

[Padres1969]

Actually, the page from the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center website that offers relics can answer some of your questions, Padres1969. This might also be a good resource for a bit of a conversation on the topic: chnetwork.org/deep-in-scripture/david-anders-deep-in-scripture-09292010/.

I would also encourage folks to contact the Mother Teresa Center and request a relic of their own. Keep in mind that the standard one they send is a 3rd class relic, but they also have a smaller supply of 2nd class relics, from her habit, that you can request. I think they simply want to be assured that the person receiving the 2nd class relic is a sincere Catholic who will properly venerate said relic. They also send medals that are 3rd class relics, and your Pastor can discuss obtaining a 1st class relic with them as well.

I found out about all of this first from a thread here on CAF, and then from en email discussion my wife had with one of the Sisters. And of course, I quite agree with pianistclare: this sort of method is really the best one for trying to find relics.

I understand the concept of praying to the saints for intercession. But I have to say even when I was Catholic I never got the relic obsession by some. What does the relic add to a prayer for intercession that is lacking in simply praying for intercession to the saint absent a relic? Is it simply a helpful reminder or spiritual guide, such as praying with a rosary can be?

I mean that link uses several quotes from the bible to try and explain the practice, but the only one that seems relevant is the passage from Kings. And even that doesn’t necessarily back the practice, particular of the second and third class relics.

 

[GEddie]

Ok, can someone explain to me the purpose of relics, particularly 3rd class relics? I mean it touched a 1st or 2nd class relic… why does that make it venerable all of a sudden?

Relics begin with the 1st class, which is the body, or part of the body (which can be as large as the head, or as small as a fragment of skin or bone) of a canonized saint.

2nd class are any object that had been touched to said body (such as bits of clothing).

3rd class are any object touched to class 1) or 2)

The importance of relics is that they have been part of, or in contact with, a Heavenly being, and so have a kind of “spiritual power” (like a sacramental).

ICXC NIKA

 

[Gertabelle]

Relics begin with the 1st class, which is the body, or part of the body (which can be as large as the head, or as small as a fragment of skin or bone) of a canonized saint.

2nd class are any object that had been touched to said body (such as bits of clothing).

3rd class are any object touched to class 1) or 2)

The importance of relics is that they have been part of, or in contact with, a Heavenly being, and so have a kind of “spiritual power” (like a sacramental).

ICXC NIKA

I’m just writing from memory here, but I believe that 2nd class relics are objects that were used by the Saint in their lifetime – clothing, rosaries, prayer books, religious medals.

Objects that are touched to 1st or 2nd class relics become 3rd class relics.

 

[Padres1969]

Relics begin with the 1st class, which is the body, or part of the body (which can be as large as the head, or as small as a fragment of skin or bone) of a canonized saint.

2nd class are any object that had been touched to said body (such as bits of clothing).

3rd class are any object touched to class 1) or 2)

The importance of relics is that they have been part of, or in contact with, a Heavenly being, and so have a kind of “spiritual power” (like a sacramental).

ICXC NIKA

So what does this “spiritual power” do for you though? Do some feel it gives you a more direct line to the Saint you’re praying for intercession to than prayer alone?

 

[GEddie]

So what does this “spiritual power” do for you though? Do some feel it gives you a more direct line to the Saint you’re praying for intercession to than prayer alone?

I don’t pretend really to understand. Question for a priest

ICXC NIKA

 

[Gertabelle]

I understand the concept of praying to the saints for intercession. But I have to say even when I was Catholic I never got the relic obsession by some. What does the relic add to a prayer for intercession that is lacking in simply praying for intercession to the saint absent a relic? Is it simply a helpful reminder or spiritual guide, such as praying with a rosary can be?

I mean that link uses several quotes from the bible to try and explain the practice, but the only one that seems relevant is the passage from Kings. And even that doesn’t necessarily back the practice, particular of the second and third class relics.

Those were some kinda “out there” scripture references, if one were trying to explain the veneration of relics with them.

I hope these will be more helpful

Matthew 9:20-22
20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak.
21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.

Acts 5:12-15
12 Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico.
13 None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
14 Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them.
15 Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.

Acts 19:11-12
11 So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul
12 that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

The crucifix and medals that I wear are 3rd class relics, having been touched to several 1st class relics. I don’t venerate my medals as such. But wearing them, knowing that they’ve been touched to bone fragments of some of the martyrs, helps me feel so very close to the “great cloud of witnesses.”

 

[thistle]

The Church has no official definition of the classes of relics.

We rely on Church tradition.

Tradition is:

First class relics - part of the saints body.

Second class relics - part of the clothing or anything used by the saints during their life.

Third class relics - any other object or piece of cloth touched to a first class relic (not to a second class relic).

The problem is that nowadays so many people want a relic that how a third class relic is achieved is being watered down to make it meaningless.
This is why there is no such thing as a fourth class relic. Its just made up.

 

[Brendan]

2 Kings 13

Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. 21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet

What we see from 2 Kings is that the bones of those who are Holy serve as instruments for great healing.