Obtaining relics

[Christine85]

I recently obtained a 2nd class relic of St Gemna via donation to her religious order. A member here has said that’s forbidden… But note the bottom of this page -
catholicdoors.com/faq/qu86.htm

My other question then is what would the Archbishop Sheen cause for canonization be regards as , as they send a second class relic of him for donation for postage and printing.

Ps- I’m new to Catholicism so don’t start telling me I’m committing sin, because as far as I was aware I thought what I did was fine.

Thankyou.

 

[louisak]

The sale of relics is condemned by the Church.

However, if someone sends you a relic in the mail, I think they can ask to be reimbursed for the cost of the shipping (so it would seem to me). In the link which you posted, it says “a donation is usually expected to cover the cost of the metal container (theca) that contains the relic”. That also seems perfectly reasonable.

 

[Christine85]

What about the Archbishop Sheen cause for canonization. Is what they do wrong?

 

[louisak]

What about the Archbishop Sheen cause for canonization. Is what they do wrong?

If they’re just asking for a donation to cover the cost of shipping and associated costs, I can’t see anything wrong with it.

I’m sure those folks know what they are doing. This is not some jerk selling stuff on eBay that we are talking about here. There are serious penalties for trafficking in relics, I believe, and you can bet that anybody who deals with them for legitimate reasons is well aware of what is permitted and what is not.

 

[MarcoPolo]

The sale of relics is condemned by the Church.

Christine85 said it was a 2nd class relic. Are you sure that’s the same thing condemned in canon 1190?*Can. 1190 §1 It is absolutely wrong to sell sacred relics.*But there are 2nd and 3rd class relics, which I understand to be a personal possession and something that touched the 1st class relic, respectively.

 

[louisak]

Christine85 said it was a 2nd class relic.

You may have a good point there, I don’t know whether that canon applies to 2nd and 3rd class relics.

But it’s really a moot point, I believe; as least pertaining to this particular situation. I can’t believe that the people promoting the cause of Archbishop Sheen - or the religious order of St. Gemma - are not aware of the church’s law in these matters. Also, in both cases it seems clear that the relic itself was not sold, as such; rather a donation was collected to cover operational costs and/or the cost of the theca.

 

[MarcoPolo]

You may have a good point there, I don’t know whether that canon applies to 2nd and 3rd class relics.

But it’s really a moot point, I believe; as least pertaining to this particular situation. I can’t believe that the people promoting the cause of Archbishop Sheen - or the religious order of St. Gemma - are not aware of the church’s law in these matters. Also, in both cases it seems clear that the relic itself was not sold, as such; rather a donation was collected to cover operational costs and/or the cost of the theca.

True. Maybe someone knowledgeable can clarify for our curiosity anyway.

 

[TempleofTheSoul]

I have requested 1st and 2nd class relics. The only cost charged for them was the shipping and handling charges. I got them directly from the postulator’s and not off some shady site.

I don’t mind making a donation for the relics received and it helps weed out who is just looking to collect as many relics as they can in order to later sell them from those genuinely seeking to venerate them.

God bless

 

[Bookcat]

No it is not sinful.

It is not selling relics.

It is common custom to give a donation for relics --such can cover say the cost of the making of them…etc

Nor would I say giving a reasonable donation to a religious order or postulator --in regards to a first class relic be sinful.

Now what some people do is objectively sinful.