Sacred Relics of the Saints: Treasures of the Church Accompanying Booklet to the Video www.TreasuresOfTheChurch.com True Cross of Our Lord Ex ligno crucis (wood from the Cross) “There they crucified him, and with him two others” John 19:18 The Cross on which Christ was Crucified was brought from the Holy Land to Rome by St. Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine in the Fourth Century. The largest remaining portions of it are in Santa Croce Church, in Rome. Due to scarcity, the Church no longer issues relics of the True Cross. This particular reliquary containing extraordinarily large portions of the True Cross was once given as a gift by the bishop of Limoges (France) to the bishop of Marseilles (France) at his Episcopal consecration (see official documentation on back). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 Fragment of the Veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary De velo (from the Veil) Profile: Mother of Jesus. Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Betrothed of Saint Joseph. Born: unknown, perhaps 20BC; celebrated on 8 September. Died: unknown; assumed into heaven on a date unknown but celebrated each year on 15 August. Inside this reliquary is a piece of fabric taken from the Veil worn by the Blessed Virgin. Our Lady’s Veil has been venerated from the earliest centuries since she was assumed into Heaven. This particular portion was encased within this theca within the Vatican. It was given to this ministry to allow for world wide veneration. St. Peter St. Paul the Apostle Vicar of Christ, Prince of the Apostles Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Also known as: Saul of Tarsus. Also known as: Simon; Prince of the Apostles; Feasts: Cephas. 25 January (celebration of his conversion) Feasts: 29 June (feast of Peter 29 June (feast of Peter and Paul). and Paul) 22 February (feast of the Chair 18 November (feast of the of Peter, emblematic of the dedication of the Basilicas world unity of the Church). of Peter and Paul) 18 November (feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Profile: Peter and Paul). Birth name was Saul. Was a Talmudic student and Pharisee, and a Tent-maker by trade. Profile: Hated and persecuted Christians as heretical, even assisting at the Fisherman by trade. Brother of stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. On his way to St. Andrew the Apostle who led Damascus to arrest another group of them, he was knocked to the him to Christ. Was renamed ground, struck blind by a heavenly light, and given the message that “Peter” (Rock) by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like in persecuting Christians, he was persecuting Christ Himself. The foundation on which the Church would be built. Was the first Pope. experience had a profound spiritual effect on him, causing his Miracle worker. Martyr. conversion to Christianity. He was baptized, changed his name to Born: date unknown. Paul to reflect his new persona, and began traveling and preaching. Died: martyred circa 64 (crucified head downward because he claimed Martyr. he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ). Born : approximately the year 3 at Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey). Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the Died: martyred by beheading circa 65 at Rome, Italy. formal canonization process). Patronage: Patronage: against snakes, authors, Catholic Action, Cursillo movement, bakers; bridge builders; butchers; clock makers; cobblers; evangelists, hailstorms, journalists, lay people, Malta, missionary feet problems; fever; fishermen; harvesters; locksmiths; longevity; bishops, musicians, newspaper editorial staff, poisonous snakes, public masons; net makers; the papacy; Rome; ship builders; shipwrights; relations personnel, public relations work, publishers, reporters, Rome, shoemakers; the Universal Church; watch makers; Codeceda, rope braiders, rope makers, saddlemakers, saddlers, snake bites, tent Portugal. makers, writers. St. Andrew the Apostle St. Jude the Apostle Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Feast: Feast: 30 November. 28 October. Profile: Profile: The first Apostle. A fisherman by Son of Cleophas, who died a trade (along with his brother, Simon martyr, and Mary who stood at Peter). Follower of John the Baptist. the foot of the Cross, and who Went through life leading people to anointed Christ’s body after Jesus, both before and after the death. Brother of St. Lesser. Crucifixion. Missionary in Asia Nephew of Mary and Joseph; Minor and Greece, and possibly areas blood relative of Jesus Christ, and in modern Russia and Poland. is reported to look a lot like him. Martyred on a saltire (x-shaped) cross; May have been a fisherman. he is said to have preached for two days from it. Writer of a New Testament letter. Preached in Syria, Mesopotamia, Born: at Bethsaida; date unknown. and Persia with St. Simon. Healer. Exorcist (exorcised pagan idols, Died: crucified on a saltire (x-shaped) which caused the demons to flee and their statues to crumble). cross in Patrasso, Greece, circa 60 AD. Martyr. Canonized: by acclamation of the Born: date and location unknown. people of God (i.e., prior to the formal Died: beaten to death circa 107 with a club, then beheaded post- canonization process). mortem in Persia; relics at St. Peter’s, Rome, at Rheims, and at Toulouse, France. Patronage: Achaia; anglers; diocese of Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the Constantinople; fish dealers; formal canonization process). fish mongers; fishermen; gout; Greece; maidens; old maids; Russia; Scotland; singers; sore throats; Spanish armed forces; spinsters; Patronage: unmarried women; women who wish to become mothers. desperate situations; forgotten causes; hospital workers; hospitals; impossible causes; lost causes. St. Philip the Apostle St. Thomas the Apostle Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Also known as: Feast: Didymus; the Twin; 3 May. Apostle of India; Doubting Thomas. Profile: Was a disciple of St. John Feast: the Baptist who was 3 July. chosen by Jesus to be an Apostle. Brought the Profile: Apostle Bartholomew to He was ready to die with Christ. Close confidant Jesus when Christ went to of Jesus. Little is known Jerusalem, but is best about him, but Scriptural remembered for doubting episodes give the the Resurrection until impression of a shy, allowed to touch Christ’s wounds. Preached in Parthia, Persia and naive, practical India, though he was so reluctant to start the mission that he had to be individual. Preached in taken into slavery by a merchant headed that way. He eventually gave Greece and Asia Minor. in to God’s will, was freed, and planted the new Church over a wide Martyr. area. He formed many parishes and built many churches along the way. His symbol is the builder’s square, from an ancient story that Born: at Bethsaida, Palestine; date unknown. built a palace for King Guduphara in India. Martyr Died: martyred circa 80 at Hierapolis, Phrygia. Born: date and location unknown. Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the Died: stabbed with a spear circa 72 in India. formal canonization process). Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the Patronage: formal canonization process). hatters; Luxembourg; pastry chefs; San Felipe Indian Pueblo; Uruguay. Patronage: against doubt; architects; blind people; builders; construction workers; Ceylon; East Indies; geometricians; India; masons; Pakistan; people in doubt; Sri Lanka; stone masons; stonecutters; surveyors; theologians. St. Matthias the Apostle St. Matthew the Apostle Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Also known as: Feast: Levi; the Apostle of Ethiopia. 14 May. Feast: Profile: 21 September. As was an original witness to the Resurrection of Jesus, he was Profile: chosen to replace Judas Iscariot Son of Alphaeus, he lived at after his suicide. Preached the Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. Gospel for more than 30 years in He was a Roman tax collector, a Judea, Cappadocia, Egypt and position equated with Ethiopia. Remembered for collaboration with the enemy by preaching the need for those from whom he collected mortification of the flesh with taxes. Jesus’ contemporaries were regard to all its sensual and surprised to see the Christ with a irregular desires. traitor, but Jesus explained that he had come “not to call the just, but sinners.” Born: date and location unknown. Matthew’s Gospel is given pride of place in the canon of the New Died: Martyred by stoning at Colchis in 80 AD. Testament, and was written to convince Jewish readers that their anticipated Messiah had come in the person of Jesus. He preached Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the among the Jews for 15 years; his audiences may have included the formal canonization process). Jewish enclave in Ethiopia, and places in the East. Patronage: Born: date and location unknown. alcoholism; carpenters; reformed alcoholics; smallpox; tailors. Died: martyred near Hierapolis or Ethiopia; date unknown. Canonized: by acclamation of the people of God (i.e., prior to the formal canonization process). Patronage: accountants; bankers; bookkeepers; customs officers; financial officers; guards; money managers; security forces; security guards; stock brokers; tax collectors. St. James the Great, Apostle St. James the Less, Apostle Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Ex ossibus (particle of bone) Also known as: Also known as: One of the Sons of Thunder; Jacobus Minor; James the Younger. Iacobus Major; Iago; Santiago Feast: Feast: 3 May. 25 July. Profile: Profile: Cousin of Jesus. Brother of St. Jude Son of Zebedee and Salome, Thaddeus.