The Relic Collection at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
Introduction to Relics
Relics are physical objects associated with saints or Jesus Christ. They serve as tangible connections to God. They are revered because of their association with holy men and women and God’s grace working through them, not for any magical power of their own.
The practice of honoring relics can be found in the Bible. Exodus 13:19 and Joshua 24:32 record veneration shown to the bones of Moses, while in 2 Kings 13:20-21, a dead man is miraculously revived after touching the bones of the prophet Elisha. Similarly, in Act 19:11-12, God works extraordinary miracles through St. Paul: even face cloths or aprons that had touched him healed the sick and drove out evil spirits. These examples show that God can work through physical objects connected to holy people. This principle forms the basis of the Catholic practice of venerating relics.
Relics remind the faithful that holiness is attainable and that God’s grace can sanctify even the material world. They encourage devotion, inspire faith, and serve as instruments of spiritual healing. Through relics, Catholics are invited to reflect on the lives of the saints and to seek their intercession, as part of the communion of saints which binds the Church on earth with those in heaven and help unite the faithful to God.
While the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not discuss relics in detail, it affirms the veneration of saints and the sacredness of the body. Section 957 speaks of the saints as our companions and intercessors, and section 1674 acknowledges that popular piety has always been expressed in various forms, including veneration of relics. Furthermore, the Church teaches respect for the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (cf. CCC 364), a belief that undergirds the reverence shown to the physical remains of saints.
Authentication
Canon Law separates relics into significant and non-significant designations, but relics are more traditionally categorized into three classes based on their association with a saint or the life of Christ.
- First class relics include items directly associated with the life of Christ such as the Crown of Thorns and fragments of the True Cross, or the physical remains of a saint such as blood, bones hair, tissue or flesh.
- These physical remains may be collected from the saint’s body soon after death or sometimes long after when miracles begin to occur.
- First class relics are found in altars and reliquaries.
- There is a first-class relic of St. Stanislaus Kostka embedded in the altar of our church.
- Second class relics are items a saint personally owned, frequently used or touched. Examples include prayerbooks, clothing or pieces of a habit or veil.
- Third class relics are items that have touched a first or second class relic such as a piece of cloth, medals or prayer cards.
During the Middle Ages, relics played a role in politics, pilgrimages, local economies and the development of Catholic devotion. Demand sometimes led to controversy and fraud. The Church prohibits the sale of first class relics, but there are a few restrictions on sharing second and third class relics.
Many steps are taken to authenticate relics including certification, and a special wax seal and silk cord that secures the relic to the reliquary.
Understanding the Veneration of Relics
Saints provide examples for us to grow in faith and holiness, but saints are also our friends in heaven who can intercede for us. Relics of the saints are tangible reminders of these holy men and women. Much like framed family photos, relics of saints are often housed in elaborate reliquaries and placed on display. Throughout history, they have been associated with miracles.
Relics provide special ways to honor the saints. Relics are often kept in elaborate cases called reliquaries. They may be placed in prominent places in churches and can be brought out on special feast days. We may choose to pray in front of the relic by standing or kneeling. We may also kiss or gently touch the glass that encases the sealed relic as a sign of reverence. Some may touch a holy object, such as a rosary, to the relic to increase the spiritual connection to the saint. Relics can also be carried in special processions or inspire a pilgrimage, especially to seek healing or to show gratitude. Through all these practices, we are seeking the intercession of the saints and asking them to pray to God on their behalf. Relics serve as a bridge to the communion of saints, drawing the faithful closer to Christ through their examples.
These forms of veneration are not a form of worship, but are a way to honor their holiness. Worship is reserved for God alone. It is important to remember that the relic is not the source of miracles but God working through them. They do not have innate power, nor are they magical. When miracles occur, they come from God alone. Although a reliquary may look like a monstrance and we may show respect and reverence for relics, Catholics must never genuflect in front of relics, only before the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Stanislaus Kostka
1550–1568
St. Stanislaus Kostka was a Polish Jesuit novice known for his deep piety and determination to follow God’s call despite many obstacles. He was born into a noble family in Rostkowo. From an early age, Stanislaus showed an intense devotion to prayer and a strong desire to live a holy life.
At age 14, he was sent with his older brother Paul to study at a Jesuit college in Vienna. His devout practices made him the object of ridicule. His own brother even subjected him to harsh treatment. During a serious illness, he experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Barbara. This vision deepened his devotion.
Feeling called to join the Society of Jesus, Stanislaus faced opposition from his family, especially his brother. Unable to join the Jesuits in Vienna because of family interference, he secretly left and walked over 400 miles to Rome where he was received as a novice in 1567.
Though he lived less than a year after joining the Jesuits, Stanislaus impressed everyone with his humility, joy, and fervent love for God. He died on August 15, 1568, at only 17 years old. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726 and his feast day is celebrated on November 13th. He is the patron saint of novices, students, Poland, heart palpitations and serious illnesses.
St. Adalbert of Prague
circa 956–997
St. Adalbert of Prague is the patron saint of Poland, the Czech Republic and Prussia. He served as a missionary bishop and was martyred while he worked to convert the people of Prussia.
He was born into a noble family, but was noted for his own austere life and charity. St. Adalbert became Bishop of Prague in 983 where he advanced reforms of the clergy and tried to upend pagan practices such as the slave trade and idolatry. His efforts were met with hostility from both the nobility and the clergy and was forced to leave Prague. He joined a Benedictine monastery in Italy and later returned to the Baltic region as a missionary bishop.
His preaching met violent opposition. On April 23, 997, he was martyred in a forest near present-day Poland. His body was ransomed and buried in Gniezno, where his tomb became a major pilgrimage site.
St. Adalbert was canonized shortly after his death by Pope Sylvester II. His remains were later stolen from Poland and relocated to the Cathedral of St. Vitus in Prague. We celebrate his feast day on April 23rd. His life teaches us to focus on deeper spiritual values rather than our own comfort, to serve selflessly and to live courageously.
St. Pius X
1835–1914
Pope Pius X is the patron saint of pilgrims and first communicants.
He is known as the "Pope of the Eucharist" for his emphasis on the frequent reception of Holy Communion for the profound spiritual nourishment It provides. He lowered the age for receiving First Holy Communion to around seven years old. He is also known for his opposition to modernism.
He came from a poor Italian family and was the second of ten children. St. Pius X never forgot his humble origins and felt embarrassed by some of the pomp and splendor of the papacy. He was a strong leader yet lived a simple life and worked to support the poor.He denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru; sent a relief commission to Messina following an earthquake; and sheltered refugees at his own expense.
He is associated with many miracles, even during his lifetime.
His feast day is celebrated on August 21st.
St. Hyacinth
(Święty Jacek)
1185–1257
St. Hyacinth is known as the Apostle of the North. Born in the late twelfth century in Silesia, St. Hyacinth was a Polish Dominican priest and devoted himself to missionary work in Northern and Eastern Europe.
He traveled on foot through Sweden, Norway, Russia and Poland, preaching and founding monasteries. He is remembered for his devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin. He died on the Feast of the Assumption in 1257. His vita (or account of a saint’s life) records that during a military attack on Kiev, he carried a heavy statue of the Blessed Mother and the Blessed Sacrament to safety. His courage, action and zeal are an example for us.
Many miracles have been associated with St. Hyacinth including his feeding of the hungry and saving wheat fields from storm damage. These stories have given rise to the Polish saying at something unexpectedly good “Święty Jacek z pierogami!!” or “Saint Hyacinth with his pierogi!” He is the patron saint of Poland, Lithuania, pierogi, athletes and weightlifters. His feast day is celebrated on August 17th.
St. Gregory the Great
circa 540–604
Pope Gregory the Great was one of the most influential popes in the history of our Church. He was both a spiritual leader and an effective administrator who helped shape the Church during turbulent times in the early Middle Ages.
Gregory embraced service to those in need. He organized food distribution for the hungry in Rome, ransomed prisoners, and provided aid during plagues and famines. His humility earned him the title Servus servorum Dei ("Servant of the servants of God"). This title is still used by today’s popes.
St. Gregory was also a prolific author and supported missionary work. He sent St. Augustine of Canterbury other monks to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England around 597. This mission helped bring Christianity to the English people and linked the English Church closely with Rome.
St. Gregory also reformed the Church’s liturgy and promoted the standardization of chant in worship. The form of plainchant later known as Gregorian Chant was named after him, reminding us of his lasting influence on sacred music.
His life teaches us that greatness lies not in status or success—but in serving God by serving others. He is the patron saint of musicians, singers, students and teachers; his feast day is celebrated on September 3rd.
St. Paul
circa 10–67 AD
St. Paul is well known to us today; readings from his letters are frequently part of our liturgy. Originally named Saul, he was born around 10 AD in what is now Turkey. He was a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen. He believed the early Christians were a threat to Judaism. He fiercely persecuted early followers of Jesus until he encountered a vision of Jesus that knocked him from his horse and temporarily blinded him while he was on the road to Damascus. This vision changed his life and after it, he devoted himself fervently to missionary work. Saul became Paul, one of Christianity’s greatest apostles and missionaries.
St. Paul travelled extensively, fueled by his passion for missionary work. Along the way, he endured many hardships including beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks and rejection. Despite these tribulations, he remained steadfast in his mission, famously writing, “I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:13).
His dramatic conversion contains a lesson for us today: encountering Jesus changes everything. The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul is commemorated on January 25th.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
(Mother Cabrini)
1850–1917
St. Cabrini was born in Italy and from an early age, she dreamt of becoming a missionary. She suffered from illness and was turned away by several religious orders, but her determination and faith never wavered.
In Italy she founded her own community devoted to education, healthcare, and missionary service. The sisters ran orphanages, schools, and hospitals—serving especially the poor and abandoned. She was then sent as a missionary to New York City where she helped thousands of Italian immigrants who were suffering from poverty, illness and discrimination.
Over her lifetime, Mother Cabrini founded sixty-seven institutions—including schools, hospitals, and orphanages—across the U.S., South America, and Europe. Her work helped countless immigrants and strengthened the Church’s presence in the New World.
She was the first U.S. citizen to be declared a saint. In 2024 her life and accomplishments were the subject of a highly acclaimed movie called Cabrini. Her feast day is November 13th and she is the patron saint of immigrants and hospital administrators.
Our relic belongs to the second class of relics; that is something that was worn or owned by a saint, but not their physical remains.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
1873–1897
St. Thérèse, also known as “Theresa of the Child Jesus” or “The Little Flower of Jesus,” is best known for her “Little Way” — a simple yet profound path to holiness based on love, humility, and trust in God. Though she lived a short and hidden life, her spirituality has touched millions.
Thérèse taught that holiness is not found in great deeds or miracles, but in doing small, ordinary things with great love. She believed that even the smallest act—done with love for God—has immense value. Her “Little Way” shows that anyone, no matter their position or talent, can become a saint by living each moment faithfully and lovingly.
Thérèse emphasized approaching God with the simplicity and trust of a child. She believed that God is a loving Father who desires our confidence more than our perfection. Her trust in God’s mercy and goodness makes her a model of spiritual simplicity and peace.
At just 15 years of age, she received special permission from Pope Leo XIII and entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, France. She lived a life of prayer, service and sacrifice within the convent and showed charity to all, especially those she did not like. She was never able to travel nor did she perform dramatic works, yet her deep love and humility made her a spiritual giant. Her hidden life reminds us that sanctity often blossoms in silence and simplicity.
Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is one of the most beloved spiritual classics of all time. In it she shares her Little Way. Statues and paintings of St. Thérèse often show her holding roses or throwing roses from heaven. A statue of her with her roses is located in our church. Her feast day is celebrated on October 1st and she is the patron saint to missionaries, those suffering with terminal illnesses, florists and gardeners, orphaned children and those who are homeless.
