Multiple "Tombs" and Relics

[Tis_Bearself]

First, I want to note that I believe “relics” other than first class (which would be a saint’s actual body part or blood) are largely a matter of faith, so I’m not too worried about the answer to this question I’m going to ask. I am just curious to see what people will say.

Some saints have multiple “tombs” where part of their relics are entombed at church A and another part at church B and maybe church C has a reliquary or altar with another piece of the saint’s body in it.

It is commonly held, though some would debate it, that touching your rosary, medal, holy card, little piece of cloth etc to the tomb or grave of a saint creates a third-class relic.

Does that work for all these multiple “tombs” where part of the saint is lying in repose? Or just their main tomb?

 

[AngelusDomini]

A third class relic can be created even from relic fragments in multiple tombs/reliquaries. Where the saint’s relics are venerated as such it follows that third class relics may be created there.
In the case of the martyrs of England and Wales there are sometimes only small parts of them left and they are kept in multiple reliquaries - third class relics can be created from any of them. A single drop of blood is just the same as having the whole body present.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

That’s kind of what I figured.
I have also heard people say it must touch the actual relic itself, and of course that would be preferable. However, ordinary folks are usually not given access to the relic in the reliquary, and in the case of a tomb or grave one can’t open it to let people touch the relics, but many places will let you touch the outside of the tomb or grave marker.

I ask because the shrine I was at today in USA has somehow acquired a first-class relic of the saint and put it inside a granite replica of the saint’s tomb in Europe, so it’s like he has two tombs. Then I remembered that a lot of saints have one body part in location A and another in location B so there are actually a lot of them with multiple “tombs” even though one tomb might be considered the official one.

 

[AngelusDomini]

I would say touching the tomb is fine - I simply take that from the fact that when palliums are made for archbishops they are laid on the tomb of St Peter (making them 3rd class relics of St Peter); also if contact had to be made to the actual bone/flesh many relics would have worn away by now.

 

[Dan_Defender]

This reminds me of my trip to Ireland. There are at least 5 places that claim to be the tomb of St Patrick. The guide said his remains could be at any or none of them. I was satisfied praying for his intercession

 

[JerryZ]

When the Pope ordinates a new Archbishop he confer unto him a piece of cloth made out of wool from a lamb called “Pallium”.
This has been previously laid next to the tomb of St. Peter. Which makes it in effect a 3rd grade relic.
Only the Pope can wear the Pallium in any occasion and everywhere while the Archbishops are limited to where they can wear it.

 

[thistle]

The Church does not officially classify relics, meaning there is no Church document defining classes of relics.
However, see below for how it is traditionally. You can see that traditionally a third class relic is only achieved by touching an item to a first class relic, and not to a second class one.

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

RELIC. An object connected with a saint, e.g., part of the body or clothing or something the person had used or touched. Authentic relics are venerated with the Church’s warm approbation. They may not be bought or sold. Those of a martyr are placed in the altar stone at the consecration of an altar. Relics are of three classes: the first is part of the saint’s body and is the type placed in the altar stone; the second is part of the clothing or anything used during the saint’s life; and the third is any other object, such as a piece of cloth, that has been touched to a first-class relic. (Etym. Latin reliquiae , remains.)

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The graves, tombs, altars, reliquaries etc contain first class relics, as in body parts or blood. Second class relics (which I understand to be a saint’s clothing or items used by the saint during his or her life) are not involved at all here.

The only possible issue is the one I noted above regarding whether direct contact with the first class relic is needed to create a third class relic, or is it sufficient to touch the tomb, grave or reliquary containing the first class relic. It would seem like touching the tomb, grave or reliquary is sufficient based on the Vatican’s own practice of making palliums, as the other posters have noted.