What are relics and why do Catholics have them?
A way to experience God's power and grace.
THEOLOGYCATHOLIC CULTURE
8/9/20261 min read
Relics are items closely connected with Christ or the Saints. They can be parts of a saint’s body (1st class relics), something owned by or touched by a saint (2nd class relic), or an object that a saint touched or touched by a 1st or 2nd class relic. (1)
Scripture provides examples of the power of relics. A dead soldier's body was thrown onto Elisha’s grave and "...as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.” (2) Cloth that touched Paul healed sickness and drove out demons. (3) The hemorrhaging woman was healed by touching Jesus’ cloak. (4)
The relic itself contains no power. The power comes from God alone. Just as with Elisha’s bones, Paul’s cloth, and Jesus’ cloak were conduits, God allowed His healing power to flow through His holy people. Scripture is clear that relics provide one way we can get closer to God and experience His power and grace.
Citations: (1) “Relics in The Church: Authenticity and Preservation” Congregation for The Causes of Saints, Rome 2017, (2) 2 Kings 13, (3) Acts 19, (4) Matthew 9, Mark 5 and Luke 8
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