Relic at requiem mass of KC Convention (aired on EWTN)

[dog_lover90]

Hello,

I was watching the requiem Mass of the Knights of Columbus annual convention, and they had a relic of Blessed John Paul II in a gold thing that looked similar to that in which the Blessed Sacrament in kept. At the end, they kissed it and (I believe) bowed before it. I really do not understand this. This seems like blatant idolatry to me. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thank you

 

[TimothyH]

They are venerating the relic.

Kissing and bowing does not automatically equal worship. To know if someone is worshipping requires that we see into their heart.

I kiss my daughter all the time. One should not infer that I worship her.

Venerating is giving honor, and thanks to God for having created that person, and asking for that person’s intercession.

-Tim-

 

[Zekariya]

Hello,

I was watching the requiem Mass of the Knights of Columbus annual convention, and they had a relic of Blessed John Paul II in a gold thing that looked similar to that in which the Blessed Sacrament in kept. At the end, they kissed it and (I believe) bowed before it. I really do not understand this. This seems like blatant idolatry to me. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thank you

This is done a lot in the Byzantine Rite. It is veneration not adoration. We bow before holy images/icons of the saints and then kiss them. The image represents the saint depicted and we honor them with a bow and kiss. This is how we venerate them. We also bow before bishops and kiss their ring as a sign of respect. This is the same with relics.

 

[aemcpa]

newadvent.org/cathen/05188b.htm

 

[CatholicLife]

Venerating relics is an ancient and beautiful tradition. Don’t be scared to do it.

 

[AndyP2010]

Hello,

I was watching the requiem Mass of the Knights of Columbus annual convention, and they had a relic of Blessed John Paul II in a gold thing that looked similar to that in which the Blessed Sacrament in kept. At the end, they kissed it and (I believe) bowed before it. I really do not understand this. This seems like blatant idolatry to me. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thank you

From the 2nd reading this coming Sunday August 18, 2013
Hebrews 12:1:

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

The Cloud of Witnesses are the Saints in Heaven and they are standing before G*d’s throne. Because of the Resurrection to come the things of their earthly life are intimately tied to them and their veneration is our way of honoring them for their witness of faith. Also we request their prayers on our behalf. Their prayers and their witness are the greatest gifts anyone how isn’t Jesus can do for us. It is fitting that we honor them.

 

[TimothyH]

Hello,

I was watching the requiem Mass of the Knights of Columbus annual convention, and they had a relic of Blessed John Paul II in a gold thing that looked similar to that in which the Blessed Sacrament in kept. At the end, they kissed it and (I believe) bowed before it. I really do not understand this. This seems like blatant idolatry to me. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thank you

It was a vial of the Holy Father’s blood.

The pastor of my parish got to venerate it, and was able to touch some cards to it which I am told the Archbishop of Atlanta now has.

-Tim-

 

[JReducation]

Hello,

I was watching the requiem Mass of the Knights of Columbus annual convention, and they had a relic of Blessed John Paul II in a gold thing that looked similar to that in which the Blessed Sacrament in kept. At the end, they kissed it and (I believe) bowed before it. I really do not understand this. This seems like blatant idolatry to me. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thank you

It’s a very ancient tradition that dates back to the first century of Christianity when the liturgy was celebrated over the bones of the martyrs. It is an external expression of our faith in the Communion of Saints. Those on earth and those who have gone on to heaven remain united as one body in Christ.

We venerate whatever relic we have of them, because we know that they are alive and well. What we have is still very much a part of them. We do not ignore them. To do so is to pretend that the Communion of Saints does not exist or that it’s just a metaphor when in fact it is literal.

My family has a great devotion to Bl. John Paul, because I had a “relationship” with him. Notice the quotation marks. We have a lock of his hair in a reliquary. We brought it out for my daughter’s wedding this past April. The priest blessed the newly weds with it. It reminds us that the Church in heaven and on earth witnesses this marriage. It’s not idolatry at all. It’s a statement of faith.