by Angelo Stagnaro
It’s said that when St. Helena searched for Christ’s True Cross, she also discovered several dozens of other crosses. The Romans would often discard used crosses near Calvary so, Helena had her hands full.
Undeterred, St. Helena took pieces of each cross and paid them on the chests of dying people in a Jerusalem hospital and those touched by the True Cross recovered.
That’s a pretty smart cookie. Frankly, I would never have thought of doing that.
Since then, however, it’s become increasingly difficult to authenticate saintly relics.
On December 16, 2017, according to Vatican News, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued new instructions on the handling and authentication of relics. The new instructions cover the handling of relics during the process that leads to beatification and canonization. They also delineate rules for the exposition of relics for the veneration of the faithful.
It also reminds the Faithful of the Church’s stand on simony―the sale and trade of relics is strictly prohibited.
With the recent explosion of people trafficking in relics on the Internet, we should all be grateful the Vatican had taken the opportunity to address this new surge in simony.
For those not in the know, it is a sin to treat holy objects as consumer goods. No one is allowed to buy or sell relics.
A quick search for “saints” on eBay will horrify most Catholics…except those Catholics who are foolish enough to imperil her souls by buying their relics, et al. by the armful.
Angus Deis, medallions made of the blessed wax of used Pascal candles can also be bought which is similarly frightening.
Simony is the act of selling church offices, positions and any holy object. The word refers to Simon Magus, a charlatan sorcerer who converted to Christianity who St. Luke describes in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:9–25). Simon offered Sts. Peter and John money in the hope that they would “bestow” the Holy Spirit on him. Peter was furious at the suggestion and, of course, denounced him. Simon repented and all’s well that ends well.
Simony has dogged the Church ever since the first century and was in fact, the primary cause of the Investiture Controversy and one of the many issues Luther whined about during the Reformation/Great Tragedy. The Internet simply makes the trafficking in relics all the easier and, frankly, all the more dubious and sinful. After all, these tiny blessed fragments of hair and bone will be resurrected upon the Last Day and thus they must be respected. No one would bid on parts of their grandparents’ bodies on the Internet―why should anyone treat the bodies of these holy people any differently?
For those who are still unconvinced as to the dubious nature of these Internet relics, one should ask first an as-of-yet unspoken question: Who are the people who are eager to unload these sacred objects and why would anyone want to trust those who profit from simony?
And yet there are Catholics who eagerly and blithely throw grace to wind and embark upon the long, slippery Road to Perdition just for the sake of telling their friends they own a relic of a saint.
As a journalist for the Catholic press, I've met high-placed priests and bishops with extensive and impressive relic collections but they don’t “own” them so much as are responsible for them. The relics are venerated properly and are made available to function in the way the Church teaches―to assist those in need of special blessings.
However, when an undistinguished lay person with no record of “heroic” or extraordinary service to the Church sports an armful of relics, red flags are immediately hoisted. Worse, when relics are haphazardly stacked on a mantle someplace, it’s not in keeping with the respect they are due. They are signs of God’s grace and not to be treated as “trophies” or Hummel collectables.
When a lay person without much experience, or even interest, in assisting others, collects a sackful of unidentifiable human body parts purchased on the Net, that may or may not be saintly relics.
Imagine scrolling through 20 or 50 relics for sale and choosing one that “fits your budget.” What a scandal! How will purchaser explain himself at the Final Judgement? “Well! I thought it was too cool to pass up!”
One must wonder exactly what these simoniacs―those guilty of simony―think these relics are. Principally, relics are the earthly remains of great and wonderful people who are Friends of God and whose lives were led in heroic virtue, compassion and service to others. They are definitely not talismans or “good luck charms.” They produce no magic any more so than the bones of any human beings. But they are important to our Faith and can assist us in leading good and holy lives―when venerated properly.
I knew a Maltese woman who collects relics by the armful. She actually sent me a PDF listing them list a little boy who is proud of his baseball card collection. She scowers eBay despite the fact that she knows the meaning of the word “simony” and “simoniac.” Regardless, she is absolutely unrepentant and has no intention of quitting.
“I rescued them from profane hands!” came back her reply. This woman spoke with exclamation points at the ends of all of her sentences even when she wasn’t writing them. However, her eyes belied her. It was a lie or, at least, not the entire truth. The truth is, she wanted something sacred to call her own.
She owned nearly 100.
I’ve never seen 100 relics in one place other than in a specially designated chapel in a Catholic church. (ADD LINK TO SAINTLY RELICS IN BURMA ARTICLE)
“Oh! I can tell they are all authentic!” she insisted, her eyes wide with her acquisitive glee. “I’m absolutely sure of it!”
If that was the case, a job awaits her at the Vatican since the last three popes have beatified and/or canonized 4700 saints and beati. I’m sure the Congregation for the Causes of Saints could use someone who “intuitively” knows whether a relic is authentic or not.
“Oh! They all came with certificates of authenticity!” she fumed.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that even certificates of authenticity can be forged. I personally own a single Tibetan stamp. (Yes! I collect stamps! I openly admit I’m a geek.) It is the pride of my collection. Unfortunately, my dealer (Yes! I have stamp dealer!) wasn’t absolutely certain of its provenance. For those in the know, Tibetan stamps are the most forged stamps in the world. “If it’s a forgery,” explained my dealer. “It’s the best forgery I’ve ever seen.”
Thus, I don’t own a prized Tibetan stamp. Rather, I 80% own a prized Tibetan stamp.
The same concerns befall relics or stuff being passed off as relics.
But, even if we could be assured of the provenance of every single relic put up sale to the highest bidder on eBay, these relics were once parts of humans who are destined for resurrection. While on Earth, they were the living temple of the Holy Spirit and the instruments of their sanctity. After death, these relics belonged to people of such sanctity that they are singled out as models and recognized by the Church through the processes of canonization.
They are owed a special veneration.
Caveat simoniacam! Let the simoniac beware!
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Saintly Relics & Their Proper Use & Care: A Vatican Update
by Angelo Stagnaro
It’s said that when St. Helena searched for Christ’s True Cross, she also discovered several dozens of other crosses. The Romans would often discard used crosses near Calvary so, Helena had her hands full.
Undeterred, St. Helena took pieces of each cross and paid them on the chests of dying people in a Jerusalem hospital and those touched by the True Cross recovered.
That’s a pretty smart cookie. Frankly, I would never have thought of doing that.
Since then, however, it’s become increasingly difficult to authenticate saintly relics.
On December 16, 2017, according to Vatican News, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued new instructions on the handling and authentication of relics. The new instructions cover the handling of relics during the process that leads to beatification and canonization. They also delineate rules for the exposition of relics for the veneration of the faithful.
It also reminds the Faithful of the Church’s stand on simony―the sale and trade of relics is strictly prohibited.
With the recent explosion of people trafficking in relics on the Internet, we should all be grateful the Vatican had taken the opportunity to address this new surge in simony.
For those not in the know, it is a sin to treat holy objects as consumer goods. No one is allowed to buy or sell relics.
A quick search for “saints” on eBay will horrify most Catholics…except those Catholics who are foolish enough to imperil her souls by buying their relics, et al. by the armful.
Angus Deis, medallions made of the blessed wax of used Pascal candles can also be bought which is similarly frightening.
Simony is the act of selling church offices, positions and any holy object. The word refers to Simon Magus, a charlatan sorcerer who converted to Christianity who St. Luke describes in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:9–25). Simon offered Sts. Peter and John money in the hope that they would “bestow” the Holy Spirit on him. Peter was furious at the suggestion and, of course, denounced him. Simon repented and all’s well that ends well.
Simony has dogged the Church ever since the first century and was in fact, the primary cause of the Investiture Controversy and one of the many issues Luther whined about during the Reformation/Great Tragedy. The Internet simply makes the trafficking in relics all the easier and, frankly, all the more dubious and sinful. After all, these tiny blessed fragments of hair and bone will be resurrected upon the Last Day and thus they must be respected. No one would bid on parts of their grandparents’ bodies on the Internet―why should anyone treat the bodies of these holy people any differently?
For those who are still unconvinced as to the dubious nature of these Internet relics, one should ask first an as-of-yet unspoken question: Who are the people who are eager to unload these sacred objects and why would anyone want to trust those who profit from simony?
And yet there are Catholics who eagerly and blithely throw grace to wind and embark upon the long, slippery Road to Perdition just for the sake of telling their friends they own a relic of a saint.
As a journalist for the Catholic press, I've met high-placed priests and bishops with extensive and impressive relic collections but they don’t “own” them so much as are responsible for them. The relics are venerated properly and are made available to function in the way the Church teaches―to assist those in need of special blessings.
However, when an undistinguished lay person with no record of “heroic” or extraordinary service to the Church sports an armful of relics, red flags are immediately hoisted. Worse, when relics are haphazardly stacked on a mantle someplace, it’s not in keeping with the respect they are due. They are signs of God’s grace and not to be treated as “trophies” or Hummel collectables.
When a lay person without much experience, or even interest, in assisting others, collects a sackful of unidentifiable human body parts purchased on the Net, that may or may not be saintly relics.
Imagine scrolling through 20 or 50 relics for sale and choosing one that “fits your budget.” What a scandal! How will purchaser explain himself at the Final Judgement? “Well! I thought it was too cool to pass up!”
One must wonder exactly what these simoniacs―those guilty of simony―think these relics are. Principally, relics are the earthly remains of great and wonderful people who are Friends of God and whose lives were led in heroic virtue, compassion and service to others. They are definitely not talismans or “good luck charms.” They produce no magic any more so than the bones of any human beings. But they are important to our Faith and can assist us in leading good and holy lives―when venerated properly.
I knew a Maltese woman who collects relics by the armful. She actually sent me a PDF listing them list a little boy who is proud of his baseball card collection. She scowers eBay despite the fact that she knows the meaning of the word “simony” and “simoniac.” Regardless, she is absolutely unrepentant and has no intention of quitting.
“I rescued them from profane hands!” came back her reply. This woman spoke with exclamation points at the ends of all of her sentences even when she wasn’t writing them. However, her eyes belied her. It was a lie or, at least, not the entire truth. The truth is, she wanted something sacred to call her own.
She owned nearly 100.
I’ve never seen 100 relics in one place other than in a specially designated chapel in a Catholic church. (ADD LINK TO SAINTLY RELICS IN BURMA ARTICLE)
“Oh! I can tell they are all authentic!” she insisted, her eyes wide with her acquisitive glee. “I’m absolutely sure of it!”
If that was the case, a job awaits her at the Vatican since the last three popes have beatified and/or canonized 4700 saints and beati. I’m sure the Congregation for the Causes of Saints could use someone who “intuitively” knows whether a relic is authentic or not.
“Oh! They all came with certificates of authenticity!” she fumed.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that even certificates of authenticity can be forged. I personally own a single Tibetan stamp. (Yes! I collect stamps! I openly admit I’m a geek.) It is the pride of my collection. Unfortunately, my dealer (Yes! I have stamp dealer!) wasn’t absolutely certain of its provenance. For those in the know, Tibetan stamps are the most forged stamps in the world. “If it’s a forgery,” explained my dealer. “It’s the best forgery I’ve ever seen.”
Thus, I don’t own a prized Tibetan stamp. Rather, I 80% own a prized Tibetan stamp.
The same concerns befall relics or stuff being passed off as relics.
But, even if we could be assured of the provenance of every single relic put up sale to the highest bidder on eBay, these relics were once parts of humans who are destined for resurrection. While on Earth, they were the living temple of the Holy Spirit and the instruments of their sanctity. After death, these relics belonged to people of such sanctity that they are singled out as models and recognized by the Church through the processes of canonization.
They are owed a special veneration.
Caveat simoniacam! Let the simoniac beware!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Sts Alphius, Philadelphus & Cyrinus (Brother Martyrs) (May 10)
Our Lady of Pompeii/Our Lady of the Rosary (May 8th)
O August Queen of Victories, O Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, at whose name the heavens rejoice and the abyss trembles, O glorious Queen of the Rosary, we your devoted children, assembled in your temple of Pompeii, (on this solemn day), pour out the affection of our heart and with filial confidence expressd our miseries to you. From the throne of clemency, where you are seated as Queen, turn, O Mary, your merciful gaze on us, on our families, on Italy, on Europe, on the world. Have compassion on the sorrows and cares which embitter our lives. See, O Mother, how many dangers of body and soul, how many calamities and afflictions press upon us. O Mother, implore for us the mercy of your divine Son and conquer with clemency the heart of sinners. They are our brothers and your children who cause the heart of our sweet Jesus to bleed and who sadden your most sensitive heart. Show all that you are the Queen of Peace and of Pardon.(Say the Hail Mary)
It is true that although we are your children we are the first to crucify Jesus by our sins and to pierce anew your heart. We confess that we are deserving of severe punishment, but remember that, on Golgotha, you received with the divine blood, the testament of the dying Savior, who declared you to be our Mother, the Mother of sinners. You then, as our Mother, are our Advocate, our Hope. And we raise our suppliant hands to you with sighs crying "Mercy!" O good Mother, have pity on us, on our souls, on our families, our relatives, our friends, our deceased, especially our enemies, and on so many who call themselves Christian and yet offend the heart of your loving Son. Today we implore pity for the misguided nations throughout all Europe, throughout the world, so that they may return repentant to your heart.(Say the Hail Mary)
Kindly deign to hear us. O Mary! Jesus has placed in your hands all the treasures of his graces and mercies. You are seated crowned Queen at the right hand of your Son, resplendent with immortal glory above the choirs of angels. Your dominion extends throughout heaven and earth and all creatures are subject to you. You are omnipotent by grace and therefore you can help us. Were you not willing to help us, since we are ungrateful children and undeserving of your protection, we would not know to whom to turn. Your motherly heart would not permit you see us, your children, lost. The Infant whom we see on your knees and the blessed rosary which we see in your hand, inspire confidence in us that we shall be heard. We confide fully in you, we abandon ourselves as helpless children into the arms of the most tender of mothers, and on this day, we expect from you the graces we so long for.(Say the Hail Mary)
One last favor we now ask of you, O Queen, which you cannot refuse us (on this most solemn day): Grant to all of us your steadfast love and in a special manner your maternal blessing. We shall not leave you until you have blessed us. Bless, O Mary, at this moment, our Holy Father. To the ancient splendors of your crown, to the triumphs of your Rosary, whence you are called the Queen of Victories, add this one also, O Mother: grant the triumph of religion and peace to human society. Bless our bishops, priests and particularly all those who are zealous for the honor of your sanctuary. Bless finally all those who are associated with your temple of Pompeii and all those who cultivate and promote devotion to your Holy Rosary. O blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain which unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we shall never abandon you. You will be our comfort in the hour of agony: to you the last kiss of our dying life. And the last word from our lips will be your sweet name, O Queen of the Rosary of Pompeii, O dearest Mother, O Refuge of Sinners, O Sovereign Consoler of the Afflicted. Be blessed everywhere, today and always, on earth and in Heaven. Amen.Say the Hail, Holy Queen/Salve Regina.
Friday, April 25, 2014
April 25th - St Mark's Day!
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29).Most of what we know about Mark comes directly from the New Testament. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. (When Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark's mother.) Paul and Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. It is evident, from Paul's refusal to let Mark accompany him on the second journey despite Barnabas's insistence, that Mark had displeased Paul. Because Paul later asks Mark to visit him in prison, we may assume the trouble did not last long. The oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus' rejection by humanity while being God's triumphant envoy. Probably written for Gentile converts in Rome—after the death of Peter and Paul sometime between A.D. 60 and 70—Mark's Gospel is the gradual manifestation of a "scandal": a crucified Messiah. Evidently a friend of Mark (Peter called him "my son"), Peter is only one of the Gospel sources, others being the Church in Jerusalem (Jewish roots) and the Church at Antioch (largely Gentile). Like one other Gospel writer, Luke, Mark was not one of the 12 apostles. We cannot be certain whether he knew Jesus personally. Some scholars feel that the evangelist is speaking of himself when describing the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane: "Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked" (Mark 14:51-52). Others hold Mark to be the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Venice, famous for the Piazza San Marco, claims Mark as its patron saint; the large basilica there is believed to contain his remains. A winged lion is Mark's symbol. The lion derives from Mark's description of John the Baptist as a "voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:3), which artists compared to a roaring lion. The wings come from the application of Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures (Ezekiel, chapter one) to the evangelists. (Derived from Saints of the Day)
Sunday, April 20, 2014
It's Easter! - April 20, 2014
Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young virgin who is pregnant will have a son and will name him 'Immanuel.' (Isa 7:14)
Sunday, August 11, 2013
St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) - August 11
He became her lifelong friend and spiritual guide. At 18, she escaped one night from her father’s home, was met on the road by friars carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a common rope with knots in it, and sacrificed the long tresses to Francis’ scissors. He placed her in a Benedictine convent, which her father and uncles immediately stormed in rage. She clung to the altar of the church, threw aside her veil to show her cropped hair and remained adamant. End of movie material.
Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her. Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity and complete seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order (Poor Clares). Francis obliged her under obedience at age 21 to accept the office of abbess, one she exercised until her death. The nuns went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence. (Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.”)
The greatest emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade her to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
Contemporary accounts glow with admiration of her life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick, waited on table, washed the feet of the begging nuns. She came from prayer, it was said, with her face so shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes, cardinals and bishops often came to consult her—she never left the walls of San Damiano.
Francis always remained her great friend and inspiration. She was always obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was making real. A well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. She had the Blessed Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading Saracens. “Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled. On her deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself: “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.”
The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are poor movie material, but they are a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
This excerpt is taken from American Catholic Saint of the Day. Click here for more information.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
St Dominic de Guzman - He spoke with God or about God
In commemoration of today's feast day, I've uploaded a few excerpts from biographies written by Dominic's companions. This is taken from today's Breviary readings:From various writings on the history of the Order of Preachers (Libellus de principiis O.P: Acta canonizationis sancti Dominici: Monumenta O.P. Mist. 16, Romae 1935, pp. 30 ss, 146-147) Dominic possessed such great integrity and was so strongly motivated by divine love, that without a doubt he proved to be a bearer of honor and grace. He was a man of great equanimity, except when moved to compassion and mercy. And since a joyful heart animates the face, he displayed the peaceful composure of a spiritual man in the kindness he manifested outwardly and by the cheerfulness of his countenance. Wherever he went he showed himself in word and deed to be a man of the Gospel. During the day no one was more community-minded or pleasant toward his brothers and associates. During the night hours no one was more persistent in every kind of vigil and supplication. He seldom spoke unless it was with God, that is, in prayer, or about God, and in this matter he instructed his brothers. Frequently he made a special personal petition that God would deign to grant him a genuine charity, effective in caring for and obtaining the salvation of men. For he believed that only then would he be truly a member of Christ, when he had given himself totally for the salvation of men, just as the Lord Jesus, the Savior of all, had offered himself completely for our salvation. So, for this work, after a lengthy period of careful and provident planning, he founded the Order of Friars Preachers. In his conversations and letters he often urged the brothers of the Order to study constantly the Old and New Testaments. He always carried with him the gospel according to Matthew and the epistles of Paul, and so well did he study them that he almost knew them from memory. Two or three times he was chosen bishop, but he always refused, preferring to live with his brothers in poverty. Throughout his life, he preserved the honor of his virginity. He desired to be scourged and cut to pieces, and so die for the faith of Christ. Of him Pope Gregory IX declared: “I knew him as a steadfast follower of the apostolic way of life. There is no doubt that he is in heaven, sharing in the glory of the apostles themselves.”
For a good book which gives the basics about St Dominic's spirituality, Click here.
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