Third Class Relic? « Catholic Exchange Forums

work in progress - Inactive

A few days ago, a student in our Scripture Study class presented each of us with a rosary that he took along with him on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for Christmas. He gave us the itinerary and said that at each holy place he laid these rosaries out on the site. He also immersed them in the Jordan River and laid them out in Jesus's tomb. As awe inspiring as his story and his generosity in taking a little piece of each of us with him is, I also learned that his gift may now be a relic of the third class (I get goose bumps). I've looked it up, and I think it might be, but I'm not sure. Can anyone comment on what makes an item a third class relic?

Our classmate was quite purposeful in his intentions to share this pilgrimage of his in a deeply meaningful manner.

Posted 1 year ago #

michaelme - Member

By your description I would say that you have a third-class relic, especially considering that the intent of the student was to impart some blessing to the object by touching it to a holy site (Christ's tomb, in particular). Lacking further information, it would be wise to treat the rosaries as relics, with all of the responsibilities entailed. These sound like a wonderful gift and blessing to each of the recipients. In Christ, Michael
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried"
- GK Chesterton "The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - also GKC

Posted 1 year ago #

wljewell - Member

God loves you . Whoo! When I saw the topical title, I thought w-i-p was refering to one or another of us old-timers around here. But, that would be an eighth-class relic. W-i-p, treat it as a third-class relic. Don't just let it give you goose bumps - let it direct your Rosaries. The very stone of the Resurrection has blessed it. In a lesser venue, I have been thinking and writing about fantasies for good and for evil. Take up your Rosary, sit in silence, maybe even close your eyes, tight - imagine that first Easter, and Christ coming out of His tomb - see His glory written even in the smile on His face - - and He has your Rosary in His hand, stretched out to give it to you. Take it, and pray. Never stop praying. Let the Rosary lead you to Mary, and she will take you to her Son. FOREVER! Remember, I love you, too . Toward our holy and prosperous New Year in Christ, Pristinus Sapienter (wljewell @catholicexchange.com or ... yahoo.com) PS: Don't try and imagine 'forever' - it'll give you a headache.

Posted 1 year ago #

work in progress - Inactive

Now another question for my education. I understand the sacredness of my other rosaries as they have all been blessed. I treat them as such. Other than understanding with awe the gift I now possess, what do you mean when you say "treat it as a relic"? I feel so ignorant right about now.

Warren, we are all so very blessed to have all of you old relics around here! I hope that I will be as valuable when I hit your state in life as you all are to us now.

Posted 1 year ago #

michaelme - Member

WIP: Here's the particular canon concerning relics. Practically, however, my understanding is that they are to be treated with utmost respect, not presented as to become and object of worship in and of themselves, never sold, and if they become seriously damaged, destroyed in some prescribed manner, usually burning (check with your priest about this if it becomes necessary). In Christ, Michael
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried"
- GK Chesterton "The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - also GKC

Posted 1 year ago #

Tarheel - Member

Third class relic? New one for me. But it leads me to think. The rosary I use nearly everyday was given to me by a friend who got it for me when he visited Rome and the Vatican. I elected to stay behind in Sudan an extra week so he could go home early to see his wife. And as a gift he bought a wooden bead rosary for my wife and I. This was in November of 1981. While at the Vatican he attended a Mass held there that was celebrated by Pope John Paul II. And later the Pontiff walked through the crowd and when he approached my friend, my friend asked him to bless this very simple rosary and explained to him why. JP II blessed the rosary and I deeply treasure it.

So If John Paul II is sainted will my rosary become a relic of sorts?

Tarheel

Posted 1 year ago #

lpioch - Moderator

Only if he actually touched it.

Then it would be (I think) a 2nd class relic.

But if he blessed it without touching it, then it is "simply" blessed by a saint. :-) Nothing "simple" about that!

This is what my memory tells me:

A 1st class relic:

A part of the person (hair, nails, blood, teeth, etc.)

A 2nd class relic:

Something that touched that person (clothes, etc.)

A 3rd class relic:

Something touched to a 2nd class relic.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted 1 year ago #

Tarheel - Member

Of that I'm not sure. My friend, who has since passed on, did say the Holy Father covered his hands in his after he blessed the Rosary.

Tarheel

Posted 1 year ago #

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