Resources on Relics and Saints
A. Canon Law and Church Teaching regarding Relics
- "Relics in the Church: Authenticity and Conservation": a small document issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (the Vatican Congregation responsible for overseeing Beatification and Canonization processes)
- "Canon Law and the Ownership of Relics", a series in two parts (PART ONE and PART TWO) made by Cathy Caridi, JCL, a canon lawyer, regarding norms and its implications on Catholic faithful owning relics.
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Relics", which is a scholarly treatment on the subject of relics: history, veneration and basis in Catholic teaching.
- Catholic Answers, staffed by theologians and apologists, has a small tract concerning relics, which can be accessed here.
- The eminent Bishop Robert Barron of "Word on Fire" media apostolate, has some musings and reflections on the history and veneration of relics. Youtube video can be accessed here.
B. Relic Ministries and Shrines
There are numerous relic ministries around the world, and we would like to recommend these ministries for their exemplary work (mostly through expositions of relics, but there are some here which are granted permission to reauthenticate [issue new seals and certificates for relics whose original documents or seals were lost] relics) in the Church especially in the field of relics:
- Treasures of the Church Apostolate, founded by Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross, has a travelling exposition of hundreds of relics which tour the United States of America.
- For All the Saints Ministry, founded by Mr. William Howe of El Paso, Texas, has a ministry of relics in his own diocese, and has an excellent page which exposes relic fraud and fakery done especially by online sellers.
- International Crusade for Holy Relics, whose international headquarters are located in Fatima, has a massive collection of thousands of relics, and has been granted permission to examine and reauthenticate relics for both private and public use.
- The Apostolate for Holy Relics, maintained by Mr. Thomas Serafin, has a collection of hundreds of relics which has toured in the US and in other countries.
- Holy Apostles Relic Library, which is maintained and curated in Harrisburg, Pennysylvania by Mr. Ben Thumma.
- Work of the Saints Apostolate, a movement of laity based in the Philippines, with a branch in Singapore, has numerous relics which are often lent to numerous parishes and prayer groups around the Philippines, most notable of which is the "Arma Christi" reliquary with numerous relics in a singular frame.
We provide links to churches and shrines in the US and in the Philippines where there are massive collections of relics. Everyone are encouraged to visit these sites in pilgrimage.
- The Chapel of Holy Relics in Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines, staffed by the Discalced Augustinians (OAD), has a collection of 4000 relics of Saints and Blessed, the largest collection in the Philippines. More relics, especially of new Saints and Blessed, are added frequently by their founder and curator, Fr. Dennis Duene, OAD.
- The Maria Stein Shrine of Holy Relics in Ohio contains the relic collection of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, originally coming from Germany.
- St. Anthony's Chapel in Troy Hill, Pittsburgh contains Fr. Mollinger's collection of 5000 relics, and is currently growing. It is the largest collection of exposed relics in the United States, and one of the largest in the world, after the Vatican.
- The Shrine of All Saints in St. Martha's Parish at Morton Grove, Illinois has a collection of 2000 relics which are curated by their Parish Priest, Fr. Dennis O'Neill.
C. About Saints and Blessed In General
No one can understand relics and the veneration the Church gives them unless they know about sanctity in the Catholic Church: knowing about saints and blessed and how they are declared such by the Catholic Church enriches one's experience with relics, and sparks interest and encouragement to lead holy lives.
c1. The Processes of Beatification and Canonization
- The document of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints "Sanctorum Mater" deals with the process of Beatification and Canonization. A shortened precis of the steps are discussed in the Apostolic Letter "Divinus Perfectionis Magister" by St. John Paul II.
- For brevity, these two websites (HERE and HERE) explain in short detail the same processes undertaken for a Catholic to be declared a Saint.
c2. Biographies and Details concerning Saints and Blessed
- For those wishing to research about Saints and Blessed (especially new ones), we highly recommend the Hagiography Circle.
- Saints' Books provides some downloadable editions of writings made by Saints/Blessed.
- Those wanting a brief biography of a Saint or Blessed, or wanting to know their patron saint, can go to CatholicSaints.Info.
- How to choose a Patron Saint? This blog post may help!
- "Relics in the Church: Authenticity and Conservation": a small document issued by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (the Vatican Congregation responsible for overseeing Beatification and Canonization processes)
- "Canon Law and the Ownership of Relics", a series in two parts (PART ONE and PART TWO) made by Cathy Caridi, JCL, a canon lawyer, regarding norms and its implications on Catholic faithful owning relics.
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Relics", which is a scholarly treatment on the subject of relics: history, veneration and basis in Catholic teaching.
- Catholic Answers, staffed by theologians and apologists, has a small tract concerning relics, which can be accessed here.
- The eminent Bishop Robert Barron of "Word on Fire" media apostolate, has some musings and reflections on the history and veneration of relics. Youtube video can be accessed here.
B. Relic Ministries and Shrines
There are numerous relic ministries around the world, and we would like to recommend these ministries for their exemplary work (mostly through expositions of relics, but there are some here which are granted permission to reauthenticate [issue new seals and certificates for relics whose original documents or seals were lost] relics) in the Church especially in the field of relics:
- Treasures of the Church Apostolate, founded by Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross, has a travelling exposition of hundreds of relics which tour the United States of America.
- For All the Saints Ministry, founded by Mr. William Howe of El Paso, Texas, has a ministry of relics in his own diocese, and has an excellent page which exposes relic fraud and fakery done especially by online sellers.
- International Crusade for Holy Relics, whose international headquarters are located in Fatima, has a massive collection of thousands of relics, and has been granted permission to examine and reauthenticate relics for both private and public use.
- The Apostolate for Holy Relics, maintained by Mr. Thomas Serafin, has a collection of hundreds of relics which has toured in the US and in other countries.
- Holy Apostles Relic Library, which is maintained and curated in Harrisburg, Pennysylvania by Mr. Ben Thumma.
- Work of the Saints Apostolate, a movement of laity based in the Philippines, with a branch in Singapore, has numerous relics which are often lent to numerous parishes and prayer groups around the Philippines, most notable of which is the "Arma Christi" reliquary with numerous relics in a singular frame.
We provide links to churches and shrines in the US and in the Philippines where there are massive collections of relics. Everyone are encouraged to visit these sites in pilgrimage.
- The Chapel of Holy Relics in Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines, staffed by the Discalced Augustinians (OAD), has a collection of 4000 relics of Saints and Blessed, the largest collection in the Philippines. More relics, especially of new Saints and Blessed, are added frequently by their founder and curator, Fr. Dennis Duene, OAD.
- The Maria Stein Shrine of Holy Relics in Ohio contains the relic collection of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, originally coming from Germany.
- St. Anthony's Chapel in Troy Hill, Pittsburgh contains Fr. Mollinger's collection of 5000 relics, and is currently growing. It is the largest collection of exposed relics in the United States, and one of the largest in the world, after the Vatican.
- The Shrine of All Saints in St. Martha's Parish at Morton Grove, Illinois has a collection of 2000 relics which are curated by their Parish Priest, Fr. Dennis O'Neill.
C. About Saints and Blessed In General
No one can understand relics and the veneration the Church gives them unless they know about sanctity in the Catholic Church: knowing about saints and blessed and how they are declared such by the Catholic Church enriches one's experience with relics, and sparks interest and encouragement to lead holy lives.
c1. The Processes of Beatification and Canonization
- The document of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints "Sanctorum Mater" deals with the process of Beatification and Canonization. A shortened precis of the steps are discussed in the Apostolic Letter "Divinus Perfectionis Magister" by St. John Paul II.
- For brevity, these two websites (HERE and HERE) explain in short detail the same processes undertaken for a Catholic to be declared a Saint.
c2. Biographies and Details concerning Saints and Blessed
- For those wishing to research about Saints and Blessed (especially new ones), we highly recommend the Hagiography Circle.
- Saints' Books provides some downloadable editions of writings made by Saints/Blessed.
- Those wanting a brief biography of a Saint or Blessed, or wanting to know their patron saint, can go to CatholicSaints.Info.
- How to choose a Patron Saint? This blog post may help!