First Class Relics and The Corporal Works of Mercy

[AvailableName]

One of the Corporal Works of Mercy is “To bury the dead.” I have read threads here stating that we cannot scatter ashes, cremains must be be buried in a sealed container. This seems like sound policy.

But I cannot reconcile it with the practice of distributing the remains of various saints. In some cases these remains are embedded somehow in church altars and this could almost count as a “burial” except for the scattering. But I have also seen reliquaries intended to be worn around the neck with as many as 5 different relics. And yes some of them were so called “first class” relics which were bits of human bone. To say the least, I am not comfortable with this whole concept of relics.

Beyond my discomfort though is a larger issue. It looks like the Catholic Church is not following its own policies in a consistent manner. There are several other inconsitencies like this and I may bring the others up in separate threads. As a group they are the biggest obstacle I face in returning to the Church.

For now I hope someone can explain how relics can be reconciled with the Corporal Acts of Mercy. Thanks.

 

[pianistclare]

Those whose bones are venerated were buried. Sometimes it is discovered that there is an odor of sanctity that causes them to be exhumed. Often many years later. The early church had their altars over the remains of saints. A practice that continues with new churches requiring that a first class relic be placed under or inside an altar.

This excerpt from a EWTN document helps:

***The veneration of relics of the saints is found in the early history of the Church. A letter written by the faithful of the Church in Smyrna in the year 156 provides an account of the death of St. Polycarp, their bishop, who was burned at the stake. The letter reads, “We took up the bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together as we are able, in gladness and joy, and celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom.” Essentially, the relics—the bones and other remains of St. Polycarp—were buried and the tomb itself was the “reliquary.” Other accounts attest that the faithful visited the burial places of the saints and miracles occurred. Moreover, at this time we see the development of “feast days” marking the death of the saint, the celebration of Mass at the burial place and a veneration of the remains.

After the legalization of the Church in 312, the tombs of saints were opened and the actual relics were venerated by the faithful. A bone or other bodily part was placed in a reliquary—a box, locket and later a glass case—for veneration. This practice especially grew in the Eastern Church, while the practice of touching cloth to the remains of the saint was more common in the west. By the time of the Merovingian and Carolingian periods of the Middle Ages, the use of reliquaries was common throughout the whole Church.

The Church strived to keep the use of relics in perspective. In his Letter to Riparius, St. Jerome (d. 420) wrote in defense of relics: “We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are.”***

 

[AvailableName]

Those whose bones are venerated were buried. Sometimes it is discovered that there is an odor of sanctity that causes them to be exhumed.

OK, then my error was assuming that a burial is perpetual? So as long as I bury a loved one for a while at some point I could then exhume the remains for veneration? I’m going to need some time to absorb this. I am still uneasy but I must admit that this returns things to being self-consistent. Is there any document that provides any guidance of how long the internment should last?

 

[pianistclare]

OK, then my error was assuming that a burial is perpetual? So as long as I bury a loved one for a while at some point I could then exhume the remains for veneration? I’m going to need some time to absorb this. I am still uneasy but I must admit that this returns things to being self-consistent. Is there any document that provides any guidance of how long the internment should last?

Well, if your loved one is determined to be a Saint then I would presume the Vatican has something that covers this. Remember, we’re referring to Saints. Not the average person that has passed.
I think that the admonition to “bury the dead” is in regard to the terrible treatment of Christians in the early centuries. They were tossed into ditches like cord wood, to be exposed to the elements and animals. We’re talking about respectfully interring people with dignity.
The veneration of the bones of Saints does seem to be an odd thing, to most people. I would agree. I have seen many things that are venerated that seem a tad creepy to me.
I hear you, and understand why it looks odd. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can weigh in.
But no, I don’t think you or I can dig up granny. It’s up to us to see that people get a proper, burial with dignity.
Peace to you, great question.

 

[thistle]

OK, then my error was assuming that a burial is perpetual? So as long as I bury a loved one for a while at some point I could then exhume the remains for veneration? I’m going to need some time to absorb this. I am still uneasy but I must admit that this returns things to being self-consistent. Is there any document that provides any guidance of how long the internment should last?

NO. It applies to known saints.