Relics

The Latest

A fragment on the True Cross on which Jesus was condemned to death

The relics St. Helena brought to Rome from the Holy Land

Aug 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The mother of Constantine the Great, St. Helena, is believed to have restored many sites in the Holy Land, where... Read more

Art detective Arthur Brand and the reliquary that turned up on his doorstep.

Thieves return relic of Precious Blood of Jesus stolen from medieval church

Jul 23, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

It seems that once the culprits discovered that the box contained a relic of Jesus, they wanted nothing to do... Read more

A reliquary containing relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis at the Church of Sant'Angela Merici in Rome, Oct 11, 2021.

A relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ heart is coming to New York

Mar 18, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The relic will be brought from Italy to New York City on April 3. Read more

The relic of the holy cloak of St. Joseph at the Basilica of St. Joseph al Trionfale in Rome.

For the Year of St. Joseph, a look at the relic of his holy cloak in Rome

Dec 7, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Tradition holds that St. Jerome brought the mantle from the Holy Land. Read more

St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA, with the largest collection of relics outside Rome.

The strange tale of 5,000 relics finding a home in a Pittsburgh chapel

Oct 30, 2021

By Adelaide Mena

Nestled in a sleepy neighborhood in the hills rising over Pittsburgh lies a small chapel. Inside St. Anthony’s Chapel lies... Read more

An image of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companions, who were beatified Aug. 16, 2014.

Relics of first Korean Catholic martyrs identified with DNA testing

Sep 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The martyrs were among the first of thousands of Catholics to be tortured and executed. Read more

The chapel of the Holy Chalice in the cathedral of Valencia. Credit: Diego Delso via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Valencia archdiocese celebrates Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice 

Aug 24, 2021

By Blanca Ruiz

The Archdiocese of Valencia conserves the relic of the Holy Chalice, believed to be that used by Christ at the... Read more

St. Albert Chmielowski.

Thief returns relics of Polish Catholic saint who inspired Pope John Paul II

Jun 18, 2021

By CNA Staff

The perpetrator apologized for stealing the relics of St. Albert Chmielowski. Read more

The San Galgano reliquary, stolen in 1989.

Stolen 14th-century reliquary found in police raid of art collector’s home in Sicily

May 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums, hailed the rediscovery of the reliquary as “a nearly unprecedented find.” Read more

Skulls identified as those of the Welsh Catholic martyrs Philip Evans and John Lloyd

Catholic martyrs’ bones identified almost 150 years after discovery in an attic

Apr 8, 2021

Two skulls were discovered in an attic in Wales in 1878. Researchers believe they have now identified them as belonging... Read more

From left: Relic of the Lignum Crucis, Holy Shroud, and Holy Chalice.

Three relics of Christ’s Passion housed in Spain

Apr 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

While the Shroud of Turin – believed to be the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus after his... Read more

The reliquary of Carlo Acutis in Ełk, Poland

Relics of Carlo Acutis brought to Poland in hope of inspiring young Catholics

Mar 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Relics of Carlo Acutis can now be found in a cathedral in Poland thanks to the initiative of a youth... Read more

Rosary used by Mother Seton   Credit: National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Relics of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to be displayed this summer at her shrine

Mar 4, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Sisters of Charity of New York have donated several of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s relics to the National Shrine... Read more

St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA, with the largest collection of relics outside Rome.

How 5,000 relics found a home in a Pittsburgh chapel

Apr 10, 2020

By Adelaide Mena

Nestled in a sleepy neighborhood in the hills rising over Pittsburgh lies a small chapel. Inside St. Anthony’s Chapel lies... Read more

The display of St. Timothy’s relics at the altar of St. Paul’s conversion in St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

St. Timothy's relics moved to Rome for Week of Christian Unity

Jan 23, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The relics of St. Timothy are in Rome this week for veneration during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Read more

A nun venerates the relics of St. Teresa of Avila in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Is it weird that Catholics venerate relics? Here's why we do

Nov 29, 2019

By Mary Farrow

“We are many parts, but we are all one body,” says the refrain of a popular '80s Church hymn, based... Read more

Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame in Quebec City.

Relics of Canadian saints stolen from Quebec City's Cathedral

Oct 25, 2019

By Mary Farrow

The Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame in Quebec is working to replace relics of Canadian saints that were stolen after... Read more

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I in Greece, April 16, 2016.

Pope Francis gives relic of St. Peter's bones to Orthodox patriarch

Jul 3, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis gave unexpectedly a reliquary containing what are believed to be bone fragments of St. Peter to Orthodox Patriarch... Read more

What’s the difference between crystals and relics?

Nov 30, 2018

By Mary Farrow

To the outside viewer, crystals are pretty rocks.  Read more

The heart of St Laurence O'Toole.

After shocking theft, heart of Irish saint returns home

Nov 16, 2018

The heart of St. Laurence O’Toole is again on public display six years after it was stolen, and 800 years... Read more