Relics

[NPC]

There are only so many certified true relics available, eventually it is conceivable we could run out. It is also possible nothing would be available at the time of dedication of a new church but could be added later. The only portable altars I’m familiar with were those in the military but another category might include mission churches that are unguarded except for a single Mass per week or less.

Well, Pope John Paul II canonised more saints than all of his predecessors combined. There have been more martyrs for the faith in the past century than in all of the previous centuries combined. As long as people keep striving to be saints, we will never be short of relics!

I think the example you give about altars used by military chaplains would be a good example of an instance where a relic would not be placed in the altar…chances are the construction of the altar wouldn’t really allow it.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Well, Pope John Paul II canonised more saints than all of his predecessors combined. There have been more martyrs for the faith in the past century than in all of the previous centuries combined. As long as people keep striving to be saints, we will never be short of relics!

I think the example you give about altars used by military chaplains would be a good example of an instance where a relic would not be placed in the altar…chances are the construction of the altar wouldn’t really allow it.

Excuse my ignorance, I may sound crude here but is it the practice of the Church to mince and dice the bodies of saints to harvest relics?

 

[choy]

Excuse my ignorance, I may sound crude here but is it the practice of the Church to mince and dice the bodies of saints to harvest relics?

it is prohibited by the Church to do so
but in the past, some people may have taken away body parts or bones of saints.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

it is prohibited by the Church to do so
but in the past, some people may have taken away body parts or bones of saints.

Thank you, I couldn’t imagine any other answer.

 

[spiegelw]

I think things have gotten way off track…The post was: how can I identify whose relic is in our altar?

 

[Cable]

Did anyone else hear that there is a piece of a relic in every altar ? Usually a piece of relic from the saint for whom the church is named for?

Do you think this true?

The altar in our Church has relics from St. John Vianney. The Pastor made sure we know this.

Something else re: relics: “… Christ we worship as the Son of God; but the martyrs we love as disciples and imitators of the Lord; and rightly so, b/c of their unsurpassable devotion to their own King and Teacher. With them may we also become companions and fellow disciples. When the centurion saw the the contentiousness caused by the Jews, he confiscated the body (for the state) and according to custom, burned it. Then, at last, we took up his bones, more precious than costly gems and finer than gold, and put them in a suitable place. The Lord will permit us, when we are able, to assemble there in joy and gladness ;and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already engaged in the contest, and for the practice and training of those who have yet to fight.”
The Martyrdom of Sain Polycarp [A.D. 155/157]