Relics

[bemily]

I am a custodian of several first and second class relics. They are all in thecas. Now, I would like to “make” third class relics but I don’t want to open the thecas. Can I just touch the fabric I am going to use to the thecas?

 

[pianistclare]

I am a custodian of several first and second class relics. They are all in thecas. Now, I would like to “make” third class relics but I don’t want to open the thecas. Can I just touch the fabric I am going to use to the thecas?

No, don’t open them.
I believe these things should be done by the custodians of the original relic.
I don’t know of anything “formalized” but it seems like someone one should definitely NOT do.

Maybe someone else an weigh in with more “official” material.

 

[Gertabelle]

This is what I heard at an exposition of hundreds of relics at a local parish – it is by no means authoritative – but I’ll share it here anyway…

An object which is intentionally touched to a relic becomes a third-class relic. It could easily be understood that the thecla is, therefore, a third-class relic of the Saint whose relics are encased.

An object which is intentionally touched to a third-class relic becomes a third-class relic. Therefore, if you touch something to the thecla, it becomes a third-class relic of that Saint.

You absolutely MUST NOT open the thecla. It should have a seal on it that verifies its authenticity. If you open it, the authenticity is lost forever, because it could never be verified authoritatively that you did not replace the true relic with something else.

God bless you!

Gertie

 

[MarcoPolo]

Fr. Martins with Treasures of the Church, as I recall, said it becomes a third class relic if you touch the object of devotion to the encasement. You can probably email him to be sure.

 

[Gertabelle]

Fr. Martins with Treasures of the Church, as I recall, said it becomes a third class relic if you touch the object of devotion to the encasement. You can probably email him to be sure.

Thanks for posting the link. This is the collection of relics we saw a couple/few years ago in several local parishes. I couldn’t remember the name of the website – so again, thanks

Gertie

 

[bemily]

I wrote to Fr. Carlos Martins, CC in Treasures of the Church and he answered me “Yes, as long as it’s done with an act of faith. But remember you cannot sell them. You may only give them away.” For me it is absolutely clear that I can’t sell the relics.