It's amazing what just slips out in conversation... I happened to mention that the last parish I went to actually had a relic of the True Cross which was brought out for veneration each Good Friday.Imagine my incredulity when Fr. Tim (rather sheepishly, I think) admitted that we have a relic of the True Cross at Blackfen... but there's no suitable reliquary for it...
Watch this space. I'm determined to get to see the relic. I can't believe that the True Cross has been present all this time, and we haven't seen it. The relics of a few English Martyrs (seen before they were cemented into the High Altar) pale into insignificance by comparison!!
This is most definitely "Not On!" Prayers will be said... Pictures will be taken... And posted...
;-)
The Oratory has a relic of the true Cross, so we are all blessed at the end of the Stations of the Cross....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hayes-and-finch-ltd.co.uk/File/RELIQUARY_7__HIGH_3_1_2__WIDE.asp?cat=0
ReplyDeleteshould be able to get one before September 14th!
Dude! That is SO 'not on'!
ReplyDeleteTake up a collection for a reliquary, for heaven's sake!!! I'll even contribute, and you can guarantee I won't be on that side of the pond for a few years yet!
Check that your Ordinary will allow the Veneration of relics before you spend money on Reilquaries and safe storage: he might not be a big fan of such things.
ReplyDeleteYou know, at SJC, we have Passion relics, including the True Cross, a thorn from the crown of thorns, and a piece of the purple garment. They are displayed each Triduum.
ReplyDeleteJ. and I were discussing the other night.
I'm willing to bet that most of these relics are third class, second at best. Not that that's not cool, but...
Can anyone say for sure, because I'm just curious at how many First Class relics of the True Cross exist.
Ttony - with Fr Tim as PP, I don't think the Archbishop would dare to say anything...
ReplyDelete;-)
Ma, apparently someone did a proper calculation of how much wood there was if all the claimed relics of the True Cross were genuine...
...unlike the common misconception of "a whole forest" as I heard one sceptic scoff, the actual amount came to a bit less than one cross...
...given that the Church has been proved spectacularly correct about the locations of the mortal remains of both St Peter and St Paul, I am inclined to assume that certified relics of the True Cross are exactly what they claim to be. Just look at how cautious the Church is over miracles...
I wonder if there are any Second or Third Class relics of the Cross, or are they ALL First Class?
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I think if you and Fr. T. put out an appeal on your blogs, you could have (I would gladly donate what I could) enough money to get one of those shiny relic-holder thingys in no time flat. Relics of such a wonderful thing should be displayed for veneration! There's no reason the Catholic blog community can't pull this one off.
;)
Ma, as I understood it, if a parish or person (like our last Bishop) claimed to have a relic of the True Cross it would be the genuine first class article. Of course, I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a shortage of money for a reliquary, (we have a very generous parish). I think it has been a shortage of time (so many other things to see to first, and Fr Tim is one of the busiest people I know) but with a little gentle persuasion (ie. nagging) it will probably be seen to fairly promptly...
;-)
...especially if comments like yours and Kasia's are brought to his attention...
Hmmmm, there could be (unless expressly prohibited) genuine 2nd and 3rd class relics of the Cross.
ReplyDeleteBeing 2nd or 3rd class doesn't make them fake.
;)
I looked on eBay.
There are two very pretty reliquaries on there, and for a decent price, too!
:)
Ma, I don't see people getting so excited over a piece of cloth which has been in contact with the True Cross (which is effectively what anything other than a first class relic of the True Cross would be...)
ReplyDeleteI'll pass the message about the reliquaries on...
;-)
I don't know. Something that touched something that touched Jesus?
ReplyDeleteThat's as close as I'll probably ever get...
;)
I, for one, am fascinated by a piece of a floor from 1st Century Jerusalem which is housed in the Field Museum, and also some vases from 1st century Galilee - I'll stare and stare, thinking, "He might have held this. Or walked upon this." etc.
But perhaps I am just very, very easily amused.
:)
In my parish we have a relic of the true cross. But it is hidden away in a closet somewhere and never used.
ReplyDeleteIn another parish I visited, the relic, embedded in a wooden cross, was kept in a foot locker, behind some old missals. I was horrified. Perhaps I should have 'taken' it...for safekeeping. Oh well, stealing is never right.
The volume of the existing relics of the true cross was calculated to be slightly less than a third of the original. We have lost 2/3 to wars and pillaging and Muslim invaders. To determine whether a relic is true, the reliquary should be sealed with wax at the back. Check out the seal. There should also be a small piece of paper naming the relic as lignum crucis.
I'm linking a photo of the titulus of title put over Jesus' cross and the other relics of the true cross kept in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Rome.