Second class relics

[Monica4316]

I was just wondering some things!

1. Are Catholic lay people allowed to privately keep second class relics in their homes?
2. Should the relic come with a certificate, and what happens if it does not?
3. Do you need permission to keep a second class relic?
4. If the second class relic is of a Servant of God rather than a Blessed or a Saint, does that change anything? and does it need to be encased in metal or gold? what if it’s not?
5. Let’s say if it’s not in metal, but a piece of clothing in a card with a picture, would it be appropriate to show it reverence by putting it in a gold frame and such things? I just think that’s a nice way to display it and help it to be preserved etc.

Just curious never thought about this before and realized I dont’ know anything about the topic! thanks!

 

[Monica4316]

I also found a canon law quote about how only Saints and Blesseds could have public veneration of a relic… however, many become Saints and Blesseds because someone prayed by their relic. How does this work? is private veneration something else?

 

[Avila123]

I have a tiny piece of cloth which touched the tongue of St Anthony in my keyring and a tiny piece of cloth that touched the relic of St Teresa of Avila in a prayer card. Both were from legitimate prayer sources. So it is okay. It sort of makes me feel a bit closer to these saints. So long as we keep our focus on God there shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[corsair]

Sure its OK to possess 2nd class Relics. In fact I know many people that have in their possession 1st class Relics that are documented.

I don’t think there are “Relic cops” roaming about.

 

[giuseppeTO]

I was just wondering some things!

1. Are Catholic lay people allowed to privately keep second class relics in their homes?

Yes … and First Class. We have 5 First Class relics in our home.

I was just wondering some things!

1. Should the relic come with a certificate, and what happens if it does not?

Only for public veneration, as in a church.

I was just wondering some things!

1. Do you need permission to keep a second class relic?

No

I was just wondering some things!

1. If the second class relic is of a Servant of God rather than a Blessed or a Saint, does that change anything? and does it need to be encased in metal or gold? what if it’s not?

No to all.

I was just wondering some things!

1. Let’s say if it’s not in metal, but a piece of clothing in a card with a picture, would it be appropriate to show it reverence by putting it in a gold frame and such things? I just think that’s a nice way to display it and help it to be preserved etc.

Yes - certainly.

I was just wondering some things!

Just curious never thought about this before and realized I dont’ know anything about the topic! thanks!

 

[thistle]

I was just wondering some things!

1. Are Catholic lay people allowed to privately keep second class relics in their homes?
2. Should the relic come with a certificate, and what happens if it does not?
3. Do you need permission to keep a second class relic?
4. If the second class relic is of a Servant of God rather than a Blessed or a Saint, does that change anything? and does it need to be encased in metal or gold? what if it’s not?
5. Let’s say if it’s not in metal, but a piece of clothing in a card with a picture, would it be appropriate to show it reverence by putting it in a gold frame and such things? I just think that’s a nice way to display it and help it to be preserved etc.

Just curious never thought about this before and realized I dont’ know anything about the topic! thanks!

You may keep relics in your home provided you have not purchased them. Buying them is forbidden.