Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis on display. / Credit: Courtesy of Milagro Eucarístico Perú – 1649
CNA Staff, Sep 4, 2025 / 05:17 am (CNA).
FromthefingerofSt.Thomas,tothearmofSt.Jude,tothemiraculousbloodofSt.JanuariusandtheShroudofTurin,theCatholicChurchishometoaplethoraofrelics.Toanoutsider,thetraditionofveneratingrelicsmayseemstrange;however,therootsofthepracticearefoundinScriptureaswellasintheancienttraditionoftheChurch.
Beloware10ofthemostaskedquestionspertainingtorelicsandtheirveneration:
Whatisarelic?
ArelicisaphysicalobjectthathadadirectassociationwithasaintorwithJesusChrist.Theword“relic”derivesfromtheLatinword“relinquere,”whichmeans“toabandonorleavebehind.”
Whatarethedifferentclassesofrelics?
Traditionally,relicscanbebrokendownintothreeclasses:first,second,andthird.
Firstclassrelicsarethebodyorfragmentsofthebodyofasaint,suchaspiecesofboneorflesh.AnexampleofafirstclassrelicwouldbetheskullofSt.ThomasAquinasortheboneofSt.JudeThaddeus.PiecesofthecrossonwhichJesuswascrucifiedarealsoconsi
