Thursday, February 24, 2005 FEATURE Southern Cross, Page 3 Looking for answers (hopefully, in all the right places) to questions about stones n December 10, 2004, Archivist Gillian Brown received a query from OFletcher R. Bingham, parishioner of the Church of the Most Holy , Augusta, and newsletter writer for Catholic Stewardship Con- sultants. Bingham was asking about altar stones; specifically, about the these stones held. From a copy of a story that appeared in a 1960s Knights of Columbus publication given him by his pastor, Father Brett Brannen, Fletcher Bingham learned that Holy Trinity’s altar stone con- tained relics of Exuperantius, Euphrasius, Pierius and Eutichiana. Asked by Father about this subject. Brannen to write The Catholic Information Net- an article for his work Web site, notes that there has church’s month- been some reform in veneration of ly newsletter on relics in recent years: “While in the the subject, past it was expected to have a Bingham com- in each altar, now this practice is plied, although he officially discouraged. The current still had some norm is for relics, if they are used, Rita H. DeLorme unanswered to be large enough to be easily rec-

questions about altar stones. ognizable, and, in accordance with Parish. courtesy of Most Holy Trinity Photos Questions Fletcher Bingham put to ancient custom, placed under, not Father Michael Lubinsky, parochial vicar of the Church of the Gillian Brown in his early in an altar.” Most Holy Trinity, Augusta, points to the stone in the high altar. December e-mail were incisive: “The Policies for Building/Renov- “Do most younger Catholics even ating Worship Spaces as related to Several stories located on the web- Fletcher Bingham has written know there are altar stones or altar Built of Living Stones: Art, Archi- site of the Catholic Archdiocese of about the saints’ relics in Holy cavities containing relics in every tecture, and Worship of the Arch- Atlanta refer to relics in altar Trinity’s altar stone, jestingly using Church with a permanent altar? diocese of Dubuque” reiterates that stones. A 1975 article about the Latin plurals of the names: “ How did we get the relics? saints’ relics of sufficient size and dedication of the Abbey Church of Pierius I think I have identified, Especially in the 19th century, authenticity are placed only beneath the Trappist Monks at Conyers, although some sources do not list when the U.S. Church had to estab- an altar, that relics are no longer Georgia, described ceremonies that him as a saint. I’ve come up with lish so many new parishes and placed on the altar or in an altar included the placing of relics in the possibly three Euphrasii and three build new buildings, how did the stone, that new should not be altar while the Litany of the Saints Exuperantii. I haven’t found any bishops get the necessary relics?” designed utilizing an altar stone and was sung. Relics sealed in the Con- Eutichinae. One of my sons, a Answers hard to come by that altars being modified are to yers chapel’s altar stone were those Dominican friar, found a Euti- Answers to these questions are have their altar stones removed. of Saint Elizabeth Seton and Saints chiana as one of the daughters of hard to come by, though the first The Internet source, Benedict and Bernard. Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:9).” one regarding whether younger Ca- http://www.themystica.com/mysti- Canon law Venerating saints tholics know that there are altar ca/articles/r/relics.html, states flatly It turns out that the specific rules Concerning the veneration of stones that contain relics appears that “relics of martyrs were placed about relics and altars are found in relics, Saint Thomas Aquinas, easy. Chances are that many Catho- under all altar stones in Roman the Code of Canon Law (1983): “A according to the New Advent lics, young or older, know little Catholic Churches until 1969.” reliquary must not be placed on or Catholic Encyclopedia, “urges that set into the table of the altar, but those who have affection to any placed beneath the altar table; relics person hold in honor all that was should be of a size sufficient for intimately connected with him (or Nazareth Home needs them to be recognizable as parts of her). Hence, while we love and human bodies; very small relics honor the saints, who were so dear may not be used; relics must be to God, we also venerate all that your help! authentic and never of doubtful ori- belonged to them, particularly their gin; when exposed for veneration, bodies.” Saint Thomas himself s the Board of the Nazareth Home in Macon explores opportu- relics should be placed on the table wrote: “God fittingly does honour Anities for the Home’s future direction, your feedback is critical of the altar; only fixed altars may to such relics by performing mira- to the success of their our efforts. There are several easy ways for have relics placed beneath them.” cles in their presence.” you to give your valuable opinions and ideas: Returning to Fletcher Bingham’s For the sake of diocesan history query and to the Church of the and questioners like Fletcher R. Focus Groups—Choose one convenient for you: Most Holy Trinity: consideration Bingham, members of parishes •March 5 at 10:00 a.m. in Macon of the subject of the stone and throughout the Diocese of Savan- •March 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Macon relics beneath that church’s high nah who have information about •March 12 at 3:00 p.m. in Macon altar reveals that the Augusta church altar stones and the relics To register for a group and for location information contact the church’s marble altars (Saint they may contain are urged to pass Nazareth Home at 1-478-746-9803 or log on to www.nazareth- Mary’s, Saint Joseph’s and the this data along to the Catholic home.blogspot.com. To complete the survey by mail or by phone, main altar) were all installed dur- Archives, confirming that the infor- just contact Nazareth Home. ing the Civil War. The altars and mation is truly being sought “in all the man who made them, John P. the right places”. Please don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Nazareth Home needs Mullen of Baltimore, frustrated a your ideas and support! If you have any additional questions or com- Union blockade in order to reach RITA H. DELORME is a volunteer in the ments, contact Kim Whitley at 478-477-0868. Augusta in time for the church’s Diocesan Archives. She can be in April, 1863. reached at [email protected]