History of Relic Veneration

Canon law absolutely forbids the sale of first and second class relics. This, however, has not stopped dealers from from profittng from this business. They simply state that they are not selling relics, only the thecas. The relic is to be considered as a gift. Yeah, right! A person is going to pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for a simple theca that can be purchased for a couple dollars. The office preparing the relic is, however, allowed to charge a small fee, usually less than $30.00, to cover the costs of materials and labor.

Unfortunately, the Church turns a blind eye to this shady business and is frequently indirectly complicit in it. When bishops or other clergy members die,their estates often contain sacred relics. More often than not, these relics are turned over to brokers to sell so that the estate can be settled. A similar fate oftens happens to relics held in churches, monasteries and convents that are closed for one reason or another.

Purchasing relics, however, is not forbidden by Canon Law if the purchase is meant to prevent the sacred relics from falling into the wrong hands and possible desecration. There Are Three Classes of Relics

First Class Relics are instruments of Our Lord's Passion or body parts of those declared blessed or saints by the Church.

Second Class Relics are items used by the saint during life (or after death). Included would be articles of clothing, a book, a rosary or even a fragment of the saint's coffin.

Third Class Relics are items, usually pieces of cloth, that have been touched to a first or second class relic.

(Some add a forth class of relics which are objects, usually cloths, that has been exposed in the shrine of a saint. An example would be a piece of cloth exposed in the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel.)

Any bishop or leader of a religious order may produce relics. The small piece of relic material is usually enclosed in a locket-like container called a theca which has frequently been highly decorated by nuns. The relic is tied into the theca with red thread and then sealed with red wax. While the wax is still soft it is imprinted with the seal of office of the person authorizng the preparation of the relic.

Starting in the Middle Ages many abuses grew out of an illicit trade in relics, many of which were counterfeits. The Church declared that any relic that would be used for public veneration must be accompanied by a document of authenticity. The document describes the relic and is signed by the authorizing official or his representative. Below are a couple examples of these "authentics."

Relic Descriptions

The relic document as well as the relic itself will have a Latin phrase describing the relic. 

Below are some of the more common phrases:

Latin Relic Descriptions applicasse et Lanceae Domini cuspidi - touched to the Holy Spear applicasse et Sudarri Veronicae - touched to the Veil of Veronica applicasse et vivicae Crucise - Touched to the True Cross arca mortuaria - mortuary box, container arca sepulerali- coffin Beatae Mariae Virginis, B.V.M. - Blessed Virgin Mary breviario - breviary coronse spinse D.N.J.C. - crown of thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ [cravio] corporis - body de velo - from the veil Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, D.N.J.C. - Our Lord Jesus Christ ex domo - from the house ex bacula - from the staff ex bireto - from the biretta ex calce sepulchri - from the cement of the tomb ex capillis - from the hair ex capsa - coffin, also see capsa funeralis ex carne - from the flesh ex cineribus - from the ashes. Same as ex exuviis ex coronae spinae - from the crown of thorns ex crinibus - from the hair ex crucis - from the cross ex cute - from the skin ex exuviis - from the ashes or dust of the body remaining after decomposition. ex Funi. Flag. - from the flagellation ropes. ex Inncunabuli - from the swaddling clothes ex indumentis - from the clothing. Sometimes refers to pieces of cloth that have touched a 1st or 2nd class relic. ex lanceae - from the lance ex ligneo pulvere, mixto pulveri corporis, quem residuum continebat prima capsa funeralis - from the remains of the wood, mixed with the dust of the body, the residue of which was contained in the first box, [or sarcophagus] ex lignum crucis - from the wood of the cross ex linteo attacto ossibus - from the cloth that touched the bones (third class relic) ex loco Annunciationis Beatae Mariae Virginis - from the site of the annunication of the Blessed Virgin Mary ex ossibus - from the bones ex pallio - from the cloak ex panno a stigmatibus cruentato - from the bandage that covered the stigmatic wound ex pelle - from the skin ex pluviali - from the cope [cloak wore for Benediction] ex praecordis - from the stomach or intestines ex praesepis - birthplace of D.N.J.C. de pulvere corporis - from the dust of the body following decomposition ex pulvinari lapideo - from the stone pillow ex purpurae - from the purple robe ex sanguine - from the blood ex scal.Pilati - from Pilate's staircase ex sepulerali - coffin ex spongia - from the sponge ex sportula - from the little ex stipite affixionis - probably means "from the whipping post" ex strato - from the covering [blanket] ex subucula - from the tunic ex tegumentis - from the skin ex tela serica quae tetigit cor - from the silk cloth which touched the heart ex Titulus Crucis - from the title board of the cross ex tunica - from the tunic ex velo - of the veil ex veste carne imbuta - from the vestment imbued with the flesh ex mensae coenae D.N.J.C. - the room where the Last Supper took place ex sindone D.N.J.C. - from the burial shourd of Our Lord Jesus Christ ex sudarii - from the sudarium or face cloth Initial that follows the name to which the relic belongs: AP. (or A.) - Apostle C. - Confessor D. - Doctor of the Church D.N.J.C. - of Our Lord Jesus Christ E. (or Ep.) - Bishop E. (or Ev.) - Evangelist F. - Founder of Order Lev. - Deacon M. - Martyr Mil. - Soldier Poen. - Penitent PP. - Pope Sp. - Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reg. - King or Queen V. - Virgin B.V.M. - Blessed Virgin Mary Vid. - Widow

Third Class Relics are frequently described as ex indumentis (from the cloth) and this is misleading as the cloth is nota second class relic but, rather, a piece of cloth touched to a first or second class relic. Canon law absolutely forbids the sale of first and second class relics. This, however, has not stopped dealers from from profittng from this business. They simply state that they are not selling relics, only the thecas. The relic is to be considered as a gift. Yeah, right! A person is going to pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for a simple theca that can be purchased for a couple dollars. The office preparing the relic is, however, allowed to charge a small fee, usually less than $30.00, to cover the costs of materials and labor. Unfortunately, the Church turns a blind eye to this shady business and is frequently indirectly complicit in it. When bishops or other clergy members die,their estates often contain sacred relics. More often than not, these relics are turned over to brokers to sell so that the estate can be settled. A similar fate oftens happens to relics held in churches, monasteries and convents that are closed for one reason or another. Purchasing relics, however, is not forbidden by Canon Law if the purchase is meant to prevent the sacred relics from falling into the wrong hands and possible desecration.