One of our reliquaries with a fragment of the bones of St. Jude the Apostle, once taken to the island of Molokai, to bless the lepers.
“We took up the bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together as we are able, in gladness and joy, and celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom.” -from the witnesses to the martyrdom of St. Polycarp, 156 AD
Relics are a timeless Tradition and treasure of Holy Mother Church, and we are blessed to house and guard several relics, including a small relic of the True Cross located by the Pieta, and among the most popular, small relics of St. Jude the Apostle, which are minute bone fragments. After each daily St. Jude Mass at 5:30 PM, and on many Sundays after the 1:30 PM Mass, the faithful, and anyone who wishes, is invited to come up and venerate the relic and receive a blessing.
As we see from these witnesses to the martyrdom of St. Polycarp, these relics of the saints, our heroes of our faith, have always served as a potent and visible reminder of Christ working through the weak and frail flesh of man, using His saints, mere “earthen vessels,” to manifest His glory.
