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When you attend a veneration of a saint's
relic, what is the protocol for attendance?
What reverence should be shown?
Tina
{
What
is the protocol for a service and what reverence
should be shown to a saint's relic? }
Mike
replied:
Hi, Tina —
I don't know of any formal protocol
for any special Church service displaying
a special relic within the Church
today.
I can only assume that proper reverence
be given to the relic when the time
is appropriate.
Privately, when someone has given
me a relic, I usually kiss it, then
make the sign of the cross with it,
as I would when I enter Church every
Sunday and bless myself with holy
water. Bowing before and/or kissing
the relic would also be appropriate.
We NEVER worship relics. They, like
statues, are only reminders of holy
saints that have gone before us and
are now praying for us.
There are three instances of relics
in the Bible:
New Testament:
Acts 5:15-16 - cures performed
through Peter's shadow
Acts 19:11-12 - cures through
face cloths that touched Paul
Old Testament:
2 Kings 13:20-21 - contact with
Elisha's bones restored life
Hope this helps,
Mike
Tina
replied:
Thanks, Mike —
Although I know some people who possess
relics of saints, I am attending
a diocesan veneration of a Relic
of Mary Magdelene and did not know
of anything besides what you shared
about praying before the relic and
kneeling.
Tina
Mike
replied:
Hi, Tina —
Do me a favor and get back to me
on how that diocesan veneration get-together
went.
I may be able to learn from you.
Mike
Tina
replied:
Mike —
It was wonderful ~ the veneration
of Mary Magdelene. It is a large
tibia bone. It was exposed in a lucite
case in the center of the main chapel
of our Seminary. As people came in,
many of them just blessed themselves
and took a seat. I did as well, and
then prayed the rosary.
Most people, when leaving went to
the relic, stood for a few moments,
then made the sign of the cross and
touched the case. Some kissed the
case, and some made the sign of the
cross, kissed their hand, and placed
their hand on the case.
A Grand Knight of the Knights of
Columbus quickly wiped the lucite
case after each person touched or
kissed it. Some gentlemen kneeled
before the relic when they initially
entered the chapel for a few moments,
and then all were seated.
I have read so much on this magnificent
woman. It was an honor and a privilege
to have this opportunity.
Tina
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