What are relics?
Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with a saint or holy person. They are considered sacred and are venerated (respected and honored) — not worshipped — as a way to draw closer to God through the memory and intercession of His saints.
Types of Relics
Relics are divided into three main classes:
- First-Class Relics
- Actual parts of a saint’s body
- Examples: bone, blood, hair, or even ashes
- Most revered type of relic
- Second-Class Relics
- Items a saint personally used or wore
- Examples: clothing, a rosary, a book, or tools they worked with
- Third-Class Relics
- Items that have touched a first- or second-class relic
- Often small pieces of cloth touched to a saint’s tomb or relic
Relics serve as tangible connections to the holy lives of the saints and inspire the faithful to grow in virtue. By honoring relics, Catholics are reminded of how God worked through these individuals and are encouraged to seek their intercession in prayer. Venerating relics is a way to show respect for the saint’s life and witness, not to worship the object itself. Through this practice, believers deepen their faith and feel a closer bond to the communion of saints.
Where Are Relics Found?
- Churches (especially under altars)
- Shrines and reliquaries
- Occasionally available for public veneration during feast days or special events
The Role of Relics in Exorcisms
Exorcists in the Catholic Church often use relics, especially first-class relics, as part of spiritual warfare during exorcisms. These relics, particularly those of saints known for their holiness and intercessory power (like St. Benedict, St. Padre Pio, or St. John Vianney), are believed to carry spiritual authority through the saint’s closeness to God. When relics are present during an exorcism, they may help intensify the prayers and weaken demonic resistance, not because of magical power, but because of the saint’s intercession and the Church’s faith in God’s power working through the Communion of Saints. Exorcists sometimes place relics on or near the afflicted person, trusting that the spiritual presence of the saint will assist in driving out evil. However, relics are just one part of a larger process that includes prayers, sacraments, and the authority of Christ through the Church.