Third-class relic of Servant of God fell down sink - what do I do?

[hamburglar]

I have a rosary bracelet with Medals of St. Benedict on it, as seen in the picture below. I was taking the bracelet off today before taking a shower, so it wouldn’t get damaged in the water. It broke and I tried reassembling the pieces, but it is possible a small bead fell down the drain.

While on a retreat last year, I touched the bracelet to the tomb of Servant of God John Hardon, which I believe would make the bracelet a third-class relic in addition to being a sacramental. The bracelet has not been blessed by a priest.

Since John Hardon has not been beatified or canonized, I’m not sure to what length I should go to retrieving a possible bead touched to his tomb that fell down the drain. What should I do?

imgur.com/wZMxtCn

 

[phil19034]

If the sink has a S pipe, I would get someone to get it out.

But that’s just me.

God Bless

 

[adamhovey1988]

Get it out!

 

[Beryllos]

I would let it go. How could the possession of that bead make any difference to your salvation or spiritual well-being?

 

[GEddie]

Does touching the tomb a relic make? I thought it had to touch theactual body, or a surface that had touched the actual body.

I’d agree that you should probably let this piece go,

ICXC NIKA

 

[porthos11]

Does touching the tomb a relic make? I thought it had to touch theactual body, or a surface that had touched the actual body.

I’d agree that you should probably let this piece go,

ICXC NIKA

You’re probably correct on this one. A third-class relic must touch a first-class relic, not necessarily the body, but a tooth, hair, skin, etc.

I have my doubts this lost item was a relic at all. And even if it was, it’s down the drain. It is likely impossible to retrieve without ripping up the pipes, and no one is bound even to the morally impossible.

So the best thing to do is to let it go, as nothing can be done to retrieve it.

 

[Saints_Alive]

If it was dropped in a sink the sink should have a trap. Takes about 5 minutes or less to retrieve it.

No special skills or special tools needed if it was installed correctly just loosen the two retainers / nuts. counterclockwise, put a bowl under it to catch the water, retrieve the bead, reinstall the Trap and and tighten retainers by hand.

Watch a YouTube video by searching " install a sink trap" if need be.

 

[thistle]

RELIC. An object connected with a saint, e.g., part of the body or clothing or something the person had used or touched. Authentic relics are venerated with the Church’s warm approbation. They may not be bought or sold. Those of a martyr are placed in the altar stone at the consecration of an altar. Relics are of three classes: the first is part of the saint’s body and is the type placed in the altar stone; the second is part of the clothing or anything used during the saint’s life; and the third is any other object, such as a piece of cloth, that has been touched to a first-class relic. (Etym. Latin reliquiae, remains.)