Efficacy of Saints Relics

[Madaglan]

I have had a difficult time understanding the relics on saints. Oftentimes throughout Church history the relic of a saint would be touched to some person suffering illness, and that person would be cured. I find this a little difficult to understand, since it would seem that the healing comes just as much (if not more) from the material relic than from prayer. My questions are, 1) What is the relationship among the relic, prayer and the person in need of healing? And, 2) will the saint’s prayer have greater strength for the individual in need if the relic is placed upon the ill person?

It just oftentimes seems to me that a relic (especially 2nd and 3rd degree ones) have powers of its own.

Anyhow, perhaps someone can clear up the confusion :yup:

 

[jrabs]

Madaglan:

Ithe material relic than from prayer. My questions are, 1) What is the relationship among the relic, prayer and the person in need of healing?

I believe the relationship is the amount of faith one has. As in all prayer, you need faith. When asking for intercessory prayer from a saint, you should always pray in Jesus’ name and for God’s will to be done. Sometimes it is God’s will for a person to go through the suffering.

 

[Dan-Man916]

Here is a good article that speaks of the of miracles through relics illustrated in the bible:

catholic-forum.com/churches/communion/eng/library/qb/224.shtml

 

[Dr.Colossus]

jrabs:

I believe the relationship is the amount of faith one has. As in all prayer, you need faith.

The reason relics oftentimes are more effective than simple prayer is because humans are material beings. Though our bodies are united with our souls, on this earth we are made of “stuff”. The physical means something to us, and we perceive physical connections with great clarity. So to know that a relic, regardless of degree, has a physical connection to the Saints can greatly increase our faith. Because of this increased faith, many miracles have occured through the use of relics.