How does the Church get the relics of the saints? They all passed away a long time before they became saints.
When we talk about “relics”, literally “remains”, of the saints, we are talking about several kinds of objects, namely:
Read More →Tag: Relics
Why does the Church dig out the dead body before investigation of sainthood? Is it just to find out if they are “incorrupt” or to get their relics (like St. Francis Xavier or St. Catherine of Siena)? Shall the dead be allowed to rest in peace without being disturbed?
Actually, the Church does not dig up the bodies of the saints *before* investigation of sainthood. Exhumation of the body takes place only after the cause for sainthood has been initiated by the local bishop and approved by Rome, at which time the person is given the title “Servant of God”. The body of the Servant of God is then exhumed not just to exhibit it, and certainly not to disturb it, but primarily to protect it and reserve it for proper veneration.
Read More →What is the history of the veneration of relics? Why do Catholics believe in that?
The veneration of the relics of the saints goes back to Old Testament times.
Read More →