Exploring the World of Saint Relics: A Look at Shrines in the United States

The practice of venerating relics of saints has a long history in the Catholic Church, with many shrines in the United States boasting vast collections of these sacred objects. Relics can be classified into three categories: first-class relics, which are parts of a saint’s body; second-class relics, which are items used by a saint; and third-class relics, which are objects touched to a first or second-class relic.

One such shrine, the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics in Ohio, houses over 1,100 relics in 970 reliquaries, representing 900 saints. This collection includes relics of early saints, more recent saints, and well-known saints on the liturgical calendar. The shrine also features relics related to Christ, such as pieces of the true cross, and remains of saints martyred in ancient Rome.

Another notable collection can be found at St. Anthony’s Chapel in Pittsburgh, which boasts 5,000 relics. This collection includes relics of saints from various time periods, including St. Demetrius and St. Macarius of Egypt. The chapel also houses relics related to Christ’s passion and death, such as pieces of the true cross and rocks from the garden of Gethsemane.

Deacon Greg Jelinek, who serves at Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh, emphasizes the importance of relics as a physical link that binds Christians across the centuries. He believes that relics provide a tangible connection to the holiness and goodness of the saints, allowing visitors to feel the presence of a great communion of saints.

Overall, these shrines serve as places of pilgrimage and prayer, where visitors can learn about the lives of the saints and seek their intercession. The relics housed in these shrines are not only objects of veneration but also reminders of the saints’ exemplary lives and their role as models and intercessors for the faithful.