Stuff Catholics Like

Give Us A Hand– Catholics Love Relics!

“In Budapest, the procession of the faithful was led by the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen” was the lead in an article on the basilica there. And no, the Holy Right Hand is not an organization calling itself that. The “Holy Right” is the mummified right hand of St Stephen who solidified the country of Hungary in 1000 AD. And here he (it) is, still leading the parade!

One of the great things about Catholics is how “earthy” we are – we love “stuff” ! Any physical thing that can connect us to Jesus or a saint and we’ll encase it in gold , wear it, put it in marble, in an altar, rope it off and kneel in prayer for the intercession of the saint before it, bathe in it, drink it, smear it on ourselves, or even climb it on our knees.

Protestants view us, among other things, as crazy and superstitious. They are very wary of “stuff” that belongs to the material world, kind of like the Gnostics or the Manicheans. They think we are riding on the “magical mystery tour” , believing that the things themselves are magic or have power. And we ARE crazy – crazy in love with the Incarnated God who loves “stuff” – He made it and took it into Himself. Not that we think these things have magical powers or “channel” the energy of the universe like the “wonderful” New Age crystals, but we believe that God uses these things as occasions of signs to us of His presence and continuing love for us, and that we are spiritually AND physically connected in the communion of saints.

Look at the Bible– the mantle of Elijah was used to part the waters, the bones of Elisha brought a dead man to life, the hem of Jesus’ cloak healed a woman, clothes touched to Paul healed many, even the shadow of Peter healed! Look at the followers of St. Polycarp, who was taught by the apostle John himself. After he was burned to death as a martyr, they gathered up his bones, “more valuable than precious stones” and put them in an altar, like the saints in the Book of Revelation, their very own bishop now in the presence of God and interceding on their behalf – still connected in the communion of saints, offering their prayers to God.

Celebrity auctions have nothing on the determined Catholic quest for pieces of memorabilia. What would a lock of Marilyn Monroe’s hair go for? Such a first class relic would bring a frenzy of activity in the secular world. Even though they can’t be sold, the arm of an incorrupt saint, or a piece of the true cross, or a piece of bone the size of a grain of sand has Catholics going to the ends of the earth. And a dress worn by a celebrity, which make thousands of dollars for auctions, would be like a second class relic – something touched to a first class or used by the person. We can even make our OWN relics – just touch something to a first or second class relic – even a tomb of a saint, and, voila – your very own third class relic!

“Break another little piece of my heart, now, baby” we take literally – pieces of the hearts of saints are in altars and reliquaries across the world. There is even a place that contains quite a few of the hearts of previous popes! The incorrupt tongue of St Anthony, the Lanciano flesh and blood host, bone fragments from our favorite saints, the liquefied blood of St Januarius and on and on are God’s own love notes to us written in gory, glorious stuff.

We are a union of matter and spirit, and are meant to always be such. Jesus is that same union, and so the Church is, too. God works on us, bringing us to perfection, using both of those realities whether it is in the sacraments or sacramentals. And who are we to complain that it’s a little messy, or gross, or crazy? Bring it on, God! Mud bath at Lourdes anyone?

Guest Post by Lyn. Come visit the St. Francis Apologetics Club in Colorado Springs sometime!