Showing posts with label objects of devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label objects of devotion. Show all posts

Sunday, December 10, 2017

The Difference between veneration and idolatry


THE first of the Ten Commandments is first for a reason: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone!” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

The neighbouring nations had many gods. But Israel was never to worship anyone or anything else but the Lord.

OK. The First Commandment is to worship no one else. But the Fourth Commandment is to honor someone else: one’s parents. And this honor is due precisely because God works through parents to give us life.

In fact, Israel recognised that God works through other people
& things as well. And, insofar as they're used by God, they deserve our respect and veneration.

Judaism
& Catholic Christianity are very physical. After all, the universe is God’s creation. He comes to us through His creation, & we give Him worship with our bodies: we kneel & bow before Him.

But we also use many of these same gestures to show not adoration but veneration for people, places
& things associated with Him. Israelites bowed before the king, God’s anointed (1 Kings 1:31). 

But the king also bowed before his mother (1 Kings 2:19). All Israelites bowed before the Temple & the Ark of the Covenant, God’s footstool (Psalms 99:5).

This biblical background is necessary to understand why Catholics venerate relics. The word “relic” comes from the word for “remains” or something left behind from a holy person or event.

The bones of a martyr, the clothing of a saint, a bloodstained corporal from a Eucharistic miracle – these are all relics.

The origin of preserving
& venerating such mementoes isn't medieval but biblical. The tablets of the Ten Commandments, the manna saved in the Ark of the Covenant, Elijah’s mantle & even the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13:21), all these were relics imbued with God’s power & therefore merited due reverence.

In the New Testament, God’s healing power was transmitted to people through the Lord’s garment (Luke 8:44)
& handkerchiefs touched to St Paul (Acts 19:12). 

It is no wonder, then, that the bodily remains as well as clothing touched to the bodies of saints throughout history have continued to be venerated, holding a prominent place in the devotion of God’s people.

But three things must be kept in mind. First, there is essential difference between the worship
& adoration (latria) that is due to God alone & the veneration (dulia) shown to all that is associated with Him & His work.

Second, all veneration of tangible relics are signs of love, honor
& devotion to the persons with whom those relics are associated &, ultimately, to God.

And finally, a relic is not a magic charm that can be counted on to force God to give us what we want. When we are without true faith
& oppose the will of God, even marching behind the Ark of the Covenant will not assure victory in battle – just ask the Israelites (1 Samuel 4).

- By Marcellino D’Ambrosio, CNS

How to Venerate a saint’s relic

How to Venerate a saint’s relic

A basic & simple guide for those unfamiliar with the ancient practice. 

https://aleteia.org/2017/05/26/how-to-venerate-a-saints-relic

The veneration of relics in the Catholic Church is an ancient tradition that dates back all the way to the New Testament. We can find its origins in the life of Jesus Christ (think of the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak & was healed). 

The Church has always treated the relics of saints in a special manner, preserving them & often putting them on display for the benefit of the faithful.

 
Relics of saints are typically housed in special gold cases & can either be seen in a permanent display in various churches, or in a traveling presentation, similar to the recent tour of Padre Pio relics in the United States.

When venerating a relic it is most appropriate to show honor & respect to the saint by performing a simple exterior gesture. The Directory on Popular Piety explains that, “Popular piety is characterized by a great variety & richness of bodily, gestural & symbolic expressions: kissing or touching images, places, relics & sacred objects … 

These & similar expressions, handed down from father to son, are direct & simple ways of giving external expression to the heart & to one’s commitment to live the Christian life. Without this interior aspect, symbolic gesture runs the risk of degenerating into empty customs or mere superstitions, in the worst cases.”

In general the Church recommends an exterior gesture that fits the occasion & corresponds to a person’s interior disposition. Someone venerating a saint’s relic can kiss or touch the glass case that houses the relic, or simply stand near the relic in a prayerful attitude, raising one’s heart & mind to God & invoking the intercession of the saint.

Other acceptable gestures include signing oneself with the sign of the cross or kneeling in front of the relic in prayer. However, a person should not genuflect before the relic in a way similar to genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament. Christ alone is reserved that type of veneration.

Whatever gesture a person chooses to use to venerate a relic, it must not be done out of superstition, but out of love for the saint & for God.

Think of the practice in a similar way to someone who takes out a photograph of a beloved family member & kisses it every time he or she puts it back. The gesture is a sign of love for that person & contains no hint of superstition.

Venerating the relics of saints is a beautiful practice that brings us close to those who walked before us in the sign of faith. They “ran the race” & reached the end goal of Heaven.

Seeing their relics & touching them can incite in us a greater urgency to strive for sanctity so that we can meet these holy men & women at the end our time on earth.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Relic of St. John Paul II - Church in Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Relic of St. John Paul II At St. Adalbert Church

January 25, 2015 
 
PENNSYLVANIA – St. Adalbert Church, Thompson Street & Allegheny Avenue, in Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, is honored to have received a relic, a vial of blood, of St. John Paul II, who visited St. Adalbert Church as Cardinal Karol Wojtyla in August 1976.

On Sunday, February 1, 2015, at the 10:30 A.M. Mass, the relic will been enshrined in St. Adalbert Church. The main celebrant of this special occasion will be Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia.

Everyone is invited to attend this special occasion with parishioners of St. Adalbert Church.
For additional information, call rectory at 215-739-3500.

Church website:  http://www.stadalbert.org

Saint Adalbert Church
2645 E Allegheny Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19134

Phone: (215) 739-3500
Rev. Jan Palkowski, Pastor: jpalkowski@stadalbert.org

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Wilbraham, Massachusetts to Receive St. John Paul 2 relic

The Diocese of Springfield has announced, via its news and information website www.iobserve.org, that it has been selected to receive a first class relic of St. John Paul 2, the popular pontiff who led the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in April 2005.

The relic originated from his bloodied undershirt from the attempted assassination on his life in St. Peter’s Square May 13, 1981. 

Just this past week the assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca brought flowers to St. John Paul 2′s tomb inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

The relic will formally be received by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski during a 5 PM liturgy on Jan. 31, 2015 at St. Cecelia Church, Main Street, Wilbraham, MA. 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin

The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin:

http://www.guadalupeshrine.org

The Shrine has many events with exposition/veneration of various Saints' relics.

Inside the Shrine Church:  Side-aisle shrines:

Saint Therese (en Español) – (also:  Canonization, by Pope Pius XI)
Blessed Miguel Pro –  (also:  video about Blessed Miguel Pro)
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla  (en Español)
Saint Peregrine  (en Español)
Saint Maria Goretti
Saint Faustina Kowalska (en Español)

Pendentives – Church Fathers:
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (en Español)
Saint Ephrem (
en Español) – (also:  Encyclical by Pope Benedict XV)
Saint John Damascene  (
en Español)
Saint Ambrose (en Español)

Sacristy
Saint John Mary Vianney  (en Español)
Saint John Neumann

Lower-level – Venerables:
Venerable Bp. Frederic Baraga
Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP
Venerable Solanus Casey, OFMCap.

On Sundays at the shrine:

9:30 a.m. – Traditional Latin Mass
11:00 a.m. – Spanish
1:00 p.m. – English

Shrine Church Tour
Monday through Saturday
1:30 p.m.
Sunday
2:30 p.m.


Holy Mass
Monday through Saturday
12:15 p.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
  with Holy Rosary, Evening Prayer and Benediction
Monday through Saturday
3:30 p.m.

Shrine Church Tour
Monday through Saturday
1:30 p.m.
Sunday
2:30 p.m.

Divine Mercy Chaplet
Thursday
3:00 p.m.

Plan a Pilgrimage:

http://www.guadalupeshrine.org/visit/pilgrimage

The church has an amazing pipe organ:





 The organ dates its origin to the early centuries.


The Shrine Church has amazing paintings. Painting Reproductions are available in the gift shop on line or in person.



Sunday, November 23, 2014

Saint Relics in Cleveland, Ohio!!

VISIT OUR ALL SAINTS ORATORY!
Come and venerate the relics of the Greatest Saints who ever lived!

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration
4108 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, Ohio 44103

Phone: 216.361.0783

Email: PrayerRequest@thepoorclares.com
Website: thepoorclares.com



http://www.thepoorclares.com/custom.em?pid=862385


List of Saints Relics in the Reliquary

Blessed Elisabeth A. Seton Viol.
Ex cin.corp. (ashes of the body)
1774 to 1821
Foundress of the Sisters of Charity and Pioneer of Catholic
Education in America

Feast Day  - January 4

............................................  
Blessed Joannis Neumann, Ep.
Ex Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
January 5
1811
-1860
Helped organize Catholic Education


............................................  
St. Joannis Brebeuf, SJ
St. Gabriel Lalemant, SJ
St Caroli Garnier, S.J.
“North American Martyrs”
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - Sept. 26


 ............................................  
St. Paschalis Baylon Capuc.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – May 17
1540-1592
Patron of All Eucharistic Confraternities and Congresses
Franciscan lay brother and mystic.
 

............................................  
St. Elisabeth Hung. Viol.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
November 17
1207
-1231
Patron of services, tertiaries, widows and young brides.

 
............................................  
St. Colettae, Virg.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day –
March 6
1381
-1447
Reform of the Third Order
of St. Francis.
Known for her sanctity, ecstacies and visions of the Passion.

 ............................................  
St. Vincentii a Pauli Conf.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – September 27
Patron of charitable societies

 
   ............................................
St. Peregrine
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Paton of Maligant Growths
Known as the Wonderworker
Known as Apostle Of Emilia
Born 1265-1345.
 ............................................

St. Luciae V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -  December 13
Patron of eyes and eye problems
  

 ............................................  
B. Martin de Porres Conf. O.P.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - 
November 3
1579
-1639
Patron of Barbers

 ............................................  
St. Joannis a Cruce, Conf. Doct.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – 
December 14
1542
-1591
Reformed the Carmelite Order

 ............................................  
St. Joannis M. Vianney
Ex Carne (from the flesh)
Feast Day  -  August 4
Also known as the “Cure of Ars”
Patron of Priests
Priest of the Confessional  ............................................  
St. Gabriel a Virg. Dolorosa Conf.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - February 27
Passionist Monk
Died 1862
Cannonized 1920.

  ............................................  
St. Mariae Goretti V.M.
Ex. Corporis (from the body)
Feast Day  - 
July 6
1890
-1902
Patron of youth, purity
and victims of rape.
 ............................................  
St. Gerard Majella, Conf. CSSR
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
October 16
1726
-1755
Patron of expectant mothers.  ............................................
St. Antonii M. Pucci, Conf. O.S.M.
St. Augustine Ep. E.C.D.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day -
August 28
354
-430
Patron of Theologians  ............................................  
St. Marthae, Virgin
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - July 29 Patron of cooks



............................................  
St. Hieron (Hierouijmi) Pr. C.D.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - November 7



............................................
 
St. Helene (Elena) Emp. Vid.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day - August 18
Built churches in
Rome and
in the
Holy Land .







 ............................................  
St. Dorotheae, V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  - February 6
Faithful to the Catholic Faith.



 

............................................  
St. Gemma Galgani
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
April 11
1878
-1903
Love for the poor.
Had the stigmata and
frequent ecstasies and visions.
............................................  
St. Gemma Galgani Vir. Lucensis
Ex. Corpore (from the body)
Feast Day  –
April 11
1878
-1903
Love of the poor.
Had the stigmata and
frequent ecstasies and visions.

  ............................................  
St. Francissi de Salesii. E.D.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
January 24
1567
-1622
Patron of Writers.
Founded the Order
of  the Visitation  

............................................  
B. Claudii de la Colombiere C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
February 15
1641
-1682
Orator and Educator.
Great  devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
 
............................................  
St. Cecilia V.M.
Ex Velo (Veil)
Feast Day  - November 22
Patroness of Musicians


  ............................................  
St. Bernadette Soubirous V.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
April 16
1844
-1879
Visionary of Lourdes 

 ............................................  
St. Andrew Bobola C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
May 16
1608
-1657
Jesuit Missionary and Martyr 

 ............................................  
St. Charbel Makluf. C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
September 5
1828
-1898
Maronite Hermit and
Miracle Worker.

  ............................................  
St. Alphonsus Lig. E.C.D. CSSR
St. Clementis M. Hofbauer, CSSR
St. Gerard Majella, CSSR
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – August 2.

  ............................................  
St. Anselm Epis. Doctoris
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
April 21
1033
-1109
Doctor of the Church.

  ............................................  
St. Christophori
Feast Day  - July 25
Patron of travelers and
is invoked against storms,
plagues etc.
Died a Martyr.





 ............................................  
St. Peter Chanel
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
April 28
1803
-1841
Priest and Martyr.


 


 ............................................  
St. Conradi a Parzham Conf.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
April 21
1818
-1849
Franciscan Mystic and lay Brother.
Gift of prophecy and
reading peoples hearts.
Canonized in 1934

  ............................................  
St. Dominic O.P.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – August 8
Helped the Church by his merits and teaching.




 ............................................  
St. Dominic Savio Conf.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  -
March 9
1842
-1857
Patron of falsely accused.
Patron of choir boys.
Extraordinary love for God.

 ............................................  
St. Frances X. Cabrini
Ex Carne (from the flesh)
Feast Day  –
November 13
1850
-1917
Patron of immigrants
Wonderful administrative ability.
Founded schools, hospitals and orphanages.
 ............................................  
St. Frances X. Cabrini Virg.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
November 13
1850
-1917
Patron of immigrants
Wonderful administrative ability.
Founded schools, hospitals and orphanages.
 ............................................  
St. Joannis Bosco
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
January 31
1815
-1888
Apostle of youth.
Founded the Salesian Society of St. Francis De Sales and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
 ............................................  
St. Mariae Bertillae Boscardin
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – October 20
Spent her life caring for children and the sick. Died in 1922
Canonized in 1961

 
............................................
 
St. Blasius E.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day – February 3
Patron of throat illnesses.
Beheaded in the year 316. 


 ............................................  
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Vir.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – October 17
Chosen by God to reveal to the world the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


 ............................................  
St John of the Cross, Conf. Doct.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – 
December 14
1542
-1591
Model of perfect self-denial and a great love of the Cross. 

 ............................................  
Bl. Claudi Columbiere Conf. SJ.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day –
February 15
1641
-1682
Orator and Educator.
Great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 
............................................
 
St. Teresa V. of Avila
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
October 15
1515
-1582
Patroness for headache sufferers.
Reformed the Carmelite Order.

 
............................................
 
St. Teresiae a Jesu Inf., Virg.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – 
October 1
1873
-1897
Patron of the Missions.
Cloistered Carmelite known
for her humility.
“The Little Flower”  ............................................  
St Thomae Aquin.
Feast Day  –
January 28
1226
-1274
Patron of schools.
Priest and Doctor of the Church.

 
............................................
 
St. Julianian Eymard C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
August 3
1811
-1868
Established the Servants of
the Blessed Sacrament.
Patron of Perpetual Adoration.
 
............................................
 
St. Barbara V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Patron of U.S. Army Field Artillery.

 


 
 ............................................  
St. Pope Pius X
Ex Corpore (from the body)
Feast Day  – August 21
The 259th Pope.
Known for Liturgical renewal and restoration of frequent Communion.  ............................................  
St. Agnetis of Assisi V.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Sister of St Clare
Feast  Day  – November 16
1212-1253
Abbess and Miracle Worker.  ............................................  
 
St. Maria Goretti V.M.
Feast Day  – July 6
Patroness of purity and youth.

 ............................................

St. Barbara V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Patron of U.S. Army Field Artillery.


 ............................................  
St Margaret Mary Alacoque  Feast Day – October 17 Chosen by God to reveal to the world the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 ............................................  
St. Anthony Padua , C. Doct.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Feast Day –
June 13 1195 - 1231 Patron of the poor. Accomplished orator.
Miracle worker.
 ............................................  
St. Clarae Assisiensis, V.
Ex Indumentis (from the clothing) Feast Day –
August 11 1193-1253 Patroness against sore eyes. Founded the Poor Clares. Second Order of St. Francis.

 ............................................  
St. Anthony Padua , C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  –
June 13
1195
- 1231 Patron of the poor.
An accomplished orator.

 Miracle worker.
 ............................................  
St. Bonaventure, Ep. C.D.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day –
July 15 1221-1274 Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Known as the “Seraphic Doctor.”
 ............................................  
St. Agnetis, V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Feast Day – January 21 Patroness of the children of Mary.
 


 ............................................
St. Elisabeth of Hungary , Reg.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) 3rd Order Franciscan
Feast Day – November 17
1207-1231 Patron of services, tertiaries, widows and young brides.  ............................................  
St. Joan Frances de Chantal, Viol.
Ex Capillus (from the hair)
Feast Day  -
August 18 1572-1641
Deep faith in God.
Wife, mother, widow. Established the Congregation  of the Visitation in 1610.  ............................................
 
St. Francis, St. Clare
Ex Cineribus (from the ashes)
Founder  of the First
Order of St. Francis. Founder of the Second Order of St. Francis, The Poor Clares.
 ............................................
St. Veronica de Gulianis Virginis
Ex Velo (veil)
Feast Day  – July 9 1660-1727 She had the Stigmata.
 

  ............................................  
St. Francis of Assisi
Ex Cineribus (from the ashes)
with several other Franciscan Saints in the relic case Feast Day  -
October 4 1181-1226
Patron of animals, merchants and ecology. Founder of the Franciscan Order.
 ............................................
St. Francis of Assisi
Ex Sepulcro (sepulcher) with several other Franciscan  and Capuchin Saints in the case Feast Day  - October 4 1181-1226 Patron of animals,  merchants and ecology. Founder of the Franciscan Order.
 ............................................  
Ex Mensae Coenae D.N.J.C. (TABLE of the LAST SUPPER) of Jesus Christ Splinter from the TABLE.

 

 ............................................  
Crucis (TRUE CROSS) D.N.J.C.
Ex. Ligno (splinter) from the  True Cross of Jesus Christ We praise You, Lord and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

 ............................................  
Cunis D.N.J.C. Crib of Bethlehem of
Jesus Christ
Splinter from crib.
 
 ............................................  
 
Crucis (TRUE CROSS) D.N.J.C. Ex. Ligno (splinter) from the True Cross of Jesus Christ We praise You, Lord and we bless You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.  ............................................  
The 12 APOSTLES
Major and Minor Apostles who accompanied Jesus Christ
Mostly from the bones in one relic case.

 ............................................  
 
St. Annae, Matris B.V.M.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Mother of Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day  – July 26 Patroness of Christian Mothers.

 ............................................  
 
St. John the Baptist
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Son of Zachary and Elizabeth, who was the cousin of the Mother of God.
Feast Day  – June 24  ............................................  
Ex. Coenaculum D.N.J.C.
From the house of the
Last Supper, Jesus Christ


 ............................................  
St. Lazarus E.C.
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones)
Feast Day  – June 21 Poor beggar.


  ............................................
House of Loretto B.V.M.
Ex domo laurentana  (splinter from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s house in Loretto)  ............................................

Coron. Spin. D.N.J.C. Splinter of the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ.


 
............................................
St. Stephan,  Prot.
Feast Day  – December 26
First Martyr
Stoned to death. St. Stephen forgave his enemies. Pray for our persecutors.

 ............................................
St. John the Baptist
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Feast Day  – June 24 Son of Zachary and Elizabeth, who was the cousin of the Mother of God.


 ............................................
St. Paul , Apostle
Feast Day  – June 29 Apostle of the Gentiles. Converted from Judaism on the road to Damascus .
Beheaded in the year 69.

  ............................................
The 12 APOSTLES
Major and Minor Apostles Who accompanied Jesus Christ Mostly from the bones in one relic case.  ............................................
St. Simon, Apostle
Feast Day  - October 28 Great zeal for the Faith. Martyred in Persia .
 ............................................  
 
St. Thaddaei, Apostle
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Feast Day  - October 28 Patron of desperate cases.  ............................................  
St. Jude, Apostle
Ex. Ossibus (from the bones) Feast Day  – October 28 Patron of desperate cases.  ............................................