By: Tony R. Rodriguez
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux died from tuberculosis in 1897, though mercury-based medication most likely contributed to the rapidity of the saint’s demise. In the months leading to her passing, Saint Thérèse made a sacramental promise: “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.”
She was only 24-years-old. Shortly after her death, however, many faith-based favors and miracles were globally attributed to the Little Flower of Jesus.
Rooted in Christ, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux cultivated mysticism and mystique within her “Little Way” spiritualities. Because of her widespread influence, she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1997—100 years after her untimely passing.
Saint Thérèse created a proven path to the Lord. Through praying her novena, may we also witness that serendipitous aura of roses permeating around us, a sacramental indicator that the Little Flower of Jesus has interceded in our prayers.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is but one saint surrounded by a vast multitude of other sanctified souls, each dutifully and perpetually guiding others to Christ.
Roman Catholics do not worship saints, nor angels, nor anyone or anything other than God. God alone is rightly due worship and adoration. Catholics believe this. We also know the honoring and respecting of those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus is worthwhile.
The veneration of relics expands the liturgical practices within our faith, and in no way replaces any aspect of liturgical life.
Relics are distinguished by three classes: first-class relics include items of Christ’s Passion, or a part of a saint’s body; second-class relics are objects that belonged to or were used often by a saint; and third-class relics include items that have come into direct contact with either a first-class or second-class relic.
Sacred Scripture offers many stories that include relics. For instance, 2nd Kings 13:20-21 shares a resurrection story involving the prophet Elisha’s bones (a first-class relic). Another well-known Biblical story is found in the synoptic Gospels, where a desperate woman with a chronic hemorrhage was miraculously healed when she touched the fringe of Jesus’ cloak (a second-class relic).
Any miracle associated with the relic of a saint must be understood to have come directly by the grace of God—not from the relic, nor the saint. Relics are gratuitous gifts, not products with a price tag. They are sacred remains, not collector’s items. They are spiritual, not magical.
Relics are to be treated with honor and respect, not viewed as being monetarily valuable. And yet, questionable relics flood the listings on eBay or other businesses connected to economic systems. This is gravely sinful, and the sin is known as “simony.” We first learn of simony in Acts of the Apostles 8:9-25. Simon the Magician—who was recently baptized into the faith—became “astounded” by the power of the Holy Spirit. Simon’s intense astonishment of the spiritual act misled him into a compulsion to attempt to purchase the practice he had just witnessed. Simon behaved similarly to that of consumers who hunt for relics on eBay.
The saints and the reliquiae they leave behind do draw us closer to Christ. Through emulation and veneration, the living faithful go further into communion with the saints, the angels, and the souls in purgatory—the complete and Mystical Body of Christ.
Tony Rodriguez is a member of Moreau Catholic High School’s Theology Department.