Veneration of Relics

Relics are small fragments of the body, or objects which have come in direct contact with the body, of Blesseds and Saints. Relics are preserved in sealed cases to protect the integrity of the Blessed/ Saint’s remains or fragments. 

The Saints are not just holy men and women who lived heroic lives for Jesus Christ, but they’re also our friends in Heaven who intercede for us! We ask the Saints and Blesseds to pray for us, for our loved ones, and to lift up our prayer requests in a special way, since they are closer to the Lord than we are on earth.

Veneration of Relics: When we’re in the presence of a Saint or Blessed’s relic, we can venerate, or honor, them in a special way by: 

• praying in front of the relic by kneeling or standing near it
• kissing or touching the glass which encloses the sealed relic 

It’s important to remember that a Blessed/ Saint’s relic is not magical. The relic itself isn’t the cause of healing, miracles or grace, and should not be treated in a superstitious way. Instead, miraculous healings and grace come from God alone. 

Praying in front of a Saint’s relic should be done out of love and thanksgiving for the Saint and for God. We show our gratitude for a Saint’s intercession by venerating his or her relic with reverence. 

An important note: we should not genuflect before a relic, in the same way we genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament. Genuflecting before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, as He’s exposed during Adoration or within the Tabernacle, signifies our belief that He is truly present Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity in the consecrated host. Genuflecting and making the Sign of the Cross should only be reserved for Jesus Christ.

Learn more about what Catholics believe about Relics (and why!), below: