Thursday, March 1, 2012 AROUNDFE THEATURE DIOCESE Southern Cross, Page 5 Devotion and devotionals: a Sister of Mercy’s contribution ister Mary Clarice Millet, RSM liked dogs the Apostles, 19: 11-12 relates: “So extraordinary Germany or France, often signed them, as did Sand she liked watching movies. Born in were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the Sisters Felix, Viola and Raphael. One card was Dallas, Texas to Swiss immigrant John J. Millet hands of Paul that when face cloths or aprons awarded “To Agnes from Sr. Rosemary”. and his wife Adele Louvard, she became a that touched his skin were applied to the sick, Interestingly, another holy card pictures Saint Religious Sister of Mercy (RSM) in 1943. their diseases left them and the evil spirits Joseph, the carpenter, returning home to Jesus After receiving certification as a licensed came out of them.” and Mary, and bears the inscription: “Back from practical nurse in 1970, she began her Other relics stored in the box of devo- work, a kiss from Jesus was Saint Joseph’s ministry in healthcare. In retirement, she tionals at the Archives pertain to Saint reward for a day’s work.” A much older Saint particularly enjoyed visiting the sick at Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin; Saint Joseph holding the Christ Child appears on Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. After Teresa of the Child Jesus, Saint Clare, Saint a card inscribed: “Saint Joseph, the Faithful her death last December, several saints’ rel- Cecilia, and Saint Maria Goretti. There are Guardian of the Holy Family.” ics Sister Clarice owned joined other Rita H. DeLorme several relics of Pope Saint Pius X Some fortunate school boy probably received a devotionals kept in a special box in the and Saint John holy card that pictured Jesus and featured a copy Diocesan Archives. of “A Boy’s Creed”. This card, dated June 25, “Devotionals”, religious items that 1929, could have come from a company like the enhance the devotion of those who Benziger Brothers of New York, Illinois & Ohio own them, have a long history in that offered “4 Assorted Subjects per pack of the Catholic Church. Falling 100 cards, $.75 per pack”. off in favor over the years, A September 19, 2010 article in The they now appear to be Catholic Miscellany of the Catholic making a comeback. Diocese of Charleston terms devo- When Hazlehurst’s tionals such as relics “conduits of Good Shepherd prayer” and notes: “Ultimately, Catholic Church a relic’s purpose is to remind was dedicated Christians of what they rep- last month, rel- resent.” ics of Saint Devotionals, including Gemma and relics of Saint Clare and of Pope Saint of Saint John Neumann Pius X were that came from Sister placed in the Mary Clarice Millet, are church’s altar reminders of the holy stone. lives of saints and encour- Similarly, age emulating them, even the December as Sister did herself. 18, 2010 dedication of Columnist Rita H. DeLorme Resurrection of is a volunteer in the Our Lord Catholic Diocesan Archives. She can Church, Savannah be reached at featured a careful [email protected]. procedure that included placing the relic intended Photography by Ormonde E. Lewis for the church’s altar stone in a suitable part of the sanctu- ary between lighted torches, bringing the relic to the bishop, and the bishop’s placing it in an aperture beneath the altar, after which the aperture was sealed. The relic of Saint Neumann, both Charles Lwanga, martyr of Uganda, in the altar of whom were canonized in the mid-twentieth stone of Resurrection of Our Lord has special century. Such relics may be classified as First significance for the church’s pastor, Father Class: something directly associated with the Robert E. Chaney, because it was given to him individual; Second Class: something owned by at the time of his ordination by Father Michael J. a saint; Third Class: anything that has come in Cerrone. contact with a First or Second Class relic, such Relics such as those used in church altar stones as a wrapping or box that held it. date back to biblical times when merely touch- Besides relics, other devotionals rest in the ing the cloth of the saintly could heal. Acts of archival box. Among these are scapulars – light- weight pieces of material fastened to a cord or string and worn around the neck. Scapulars in the box encourage devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Simon Stock. A white scapular explains the practice of wearing a scapular: “Whomever dies wearing this scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” Next come the holy cards. Frequently given as rewards for accomplishment, especially in the study of religion, they may commemorate special events and remember certain individuals. Teachers who gave these cards, many printed in .