In the
Catholic church of the 16th century relics were important pieces of the past. A
relic was an item that had direct ties to someone from the past that was
considered holy. The order of importance of the relics was Jesus, the virgin
Mary, and then the disciples. People of the renaissance believed that these
relics still had spiritual power and would make pilgrimages across Europe just
to be able to see them. Being able to see these relics and pray to them counted
towards the remission of these people's sins.
picture of people
admiring relic of St. Francis
This sort
of thing still happens today. A year ago a relic of St. Francis Xavier went on
a national tour. Within this tour the relic went to many churches and was
accompanied by Jesuit Father Richard Shortall. He would talk about the saint's
missionary achievement and said that's why they should seek the saints
intercession and welcome his relic. So to this day people still believe that
relics have some sort of power but more so agree that they are a great way to
remember the pat achievements of the particular person.
The arm of Francis of Xavier is on my relic tour of Rome--plus, remember he died in India! That's a long travel of some of those relics.
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