Frequently Asked Questions

The Relic Project, founded in 2023, is an international nonprofit organization aiming to establish the world’s first online library of 1st and 2nd class relics so we, as followers of Christ, may know which Saints we have in our communities, where they are located, and offer people the opportunity to request secure veneration of these relics. 

Endorsed by Bishop Thomas Daly, The Relic Project has uncovered many sacred relics of the saints across Eastern Washington. We estimate there may be over 1000 relics or more hidden in our midst. 

Our vision is to build a chapel in Spokane, a sanctuary dedicated to these relics, where their presence can inspire and uplift our community. We invite you to join us on this journey. If you have or know of relics within your community, please reach out to us at contact@therelicproject.org. 

Whether through a donation or your time, your support will help bring this vision to life. Discover more about how you can make a difference by clicking here.

To learn more about our founding, goals, and vision, we invite you to listen to an interview with our founder on Vatican Insider with Joan Lewis. 

At The Relic Project, we, like many, believe it is prudent to maintain a comprehensive online backup list of relics from around the world. 

What if a natural disaster or fire strikes your beloved church and you don't know where the relics are to rescue them? What if you are an exorcist and a demon reacts to a specific saint, but you don’t know where to find the relic to assist in the exorcism? What if you simply want to discover which saints' relics reside in your community? Or perhaps you or a loved one are sick, and you believe a particular saint’s relic could bring healing?

While there may be numerous scattered lists of relics, having a single, centralized source for all this information can do more than just support your community—it can help bring these sacred relics into the light and deepen the faith of those who encounter them.

You can donate to The Relic Project by clicking on the 'Donate' button on our website or by sending a check to our mailing address.

At The Relic Project, we know that change starts with people like you. May it be buying swag, purchasing office equipment, repairing damaged or neglected relics, renovating a chapel in town for relics, or simply helping fund our outreach initiatives, every act of kindness, every dollar, and every moment of your time brings us closer to achieving our mission of creating the world's first online database of saint relics. All donations support our operations in Washington State, USA. 

Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable. 

How you can help power our mission:

1. Donate: Every dollar counts. Contribute now to help us reach our goal of creating the world's first online database for relics of the saints.
2. Share: Share our mission with your friends, family, and on social media. Your advocacy can amplify our impact.
3. Volunteer: Your time and skills can make an impact too. 
4. Pray: Pray for the success of this project.
5. Endorse Us: Endorsements go a long way. If you own a business and would like to show your support, send us your logo and a quote sharing your support for our mission. View “Our Supporters” on our website for an example. Send your official endorsement to contact@therelicproject.org
6. Sponsor Us: To build this organization, a continuing sponsorship can make a great impact. If you'd like to become a sponsor, please contact us today.

The database will feature user accounts, detailed relic data (location, authenticity), digital security protocols, private/public community options, and the ability to request secure veneration of relics, among other features.

Endorsements have a powerful impact, helping us grow, build credibility, and extend our reach. If you own a business and share our mission, we invite you to show your support by sending us your logo and a quote. 

Your endorsement is invaluable, as it:

• Builds Credibility and Trust: When people see trusted names endorsing our cause, that trust often transfers to us, inspiring public confidence and engagement.
• Boosts Visibility: With your support, we can reach new audiences, bringing awareness of our mission to those who may not have encountered it before.
• Attracts Partnerships and Funding: Endorsements signal to investors, donors, and potential partners that we’re making an impact, opening doors for collaboration and support.

At The Relic Project, we deeply value every endorsement, and in appreciation, we’re committed to showcasing our supporters with pride. 

Here’s what you can expect when you endorse our mission:

• Prominent Website Placement: Your logo and quote of support will be featured on our “Our Supporters” page, celebrating your commitment alongside other valued partners.
• Direct Traffic to Your Organization: Each logo or photo on our supporters page will link directly to your website, encouraging visitors to learn more about your business and our shared values.
• Inclusion in Outreach: We will actively include you or your organization in our outreach initiatives, aiming to mention and promote your endorsement as we engage with audiences across various platforms.

Your support helps us bring our mission to life, and we’re excited to honor that by sharing your organization with our community.

Whether you’re endorsing The Relic Project as an individual or on behalf of an organization, your support helps amplify our mission to connect people with the rich heritage of relics. Below are some ways to make your endorsement impactful.

• Personal Statement of Support: Share a brief, heartfelt message explaining why The Relic Project’s mission resonates with you. Mention any personal experiences or values that align with our work to add authenticity and a personal touch to your endorsement.
• Expertise: Include your professional role and, if relevant, the organization you belong to. This helps our audience connect with you and recognize your area of expertise.
• Social Media Shout-Out: If you’re active on social media, posting about The Relic Project is a powerful way to spread the word. Feel free to tag us or use our project hashtag (#therelicproject) to amplify your support.
• Photo: If you’d like, include a professional photo or an image representing your support. This adds a personal dimension to your endorsement on our platform.
• Preferred Contact Information: If you're comfortable, provide an email or social media handle, allowing interested viewers to connect with you directly.

• Statement of Support: Share a concise, genuine expression of why your organization supports The Relic Project’s mission. Highlighting shared goals or values can strengthen the connection between our work and your endorsement.
• Specific Benefits: Mention specific aspects of our mission that resonate with your organization’s values or goals. This adds authenticity and helps audiences relate to your support.
• Logo/Photo: Provide a high-quality logo (PNG, JPEG, etc.) to ensure it displays well across our platforms, allowing us to showcase your organization’s support visually.
• Website Link: Include a link to your organization’s website so that audiences on our Our Supporters page can learn more about you.
• Contact Information: Include a preferred point of contact, such as an email or phone number, so interested individuals can connect directly with your organization.

Each endorsement will be displayed on our Our Supporters page with your photo or logo, making your support a visible part of our mission. Thank you for joining us in this meaningful journey! 

 Send your official endorsement to contact@therelicproject.org 

We’re thrilled you're interested in partnering with The Relic Project! 

To begin, please reach out to us via our contact form on our website or send an email directly to contact@therelicproject.org. 

Let us know about your organization, how you envision collaborating with us, and any specific goals you have in mind. Once we receive your message, a member of our team will connect with you to discuss partnership opportunities and outline the next steps.

We look forward to building a meaningful partnership together!

First and foremost, handle the relic with care and place the relic in a safe place in your home or church. Treat the relic with the same care, gentleness, and respect as you would a 100-year-old beloved, frail loved one. Remember, this is part of a saint and their relics should be honored. 

Next, check for a document verifying the relic's authenticity, which should include its origin, details (such as body part or material for 2nd class relics), the year it was gifted, and the giver's name. If no documentation exists, look for a readable label inside the theca (case containing the relic) identifying the saint associated with the relic. Without a name, identification may be difficult or near impossible.

Third, we suggest reaching out to us at contact@therelicproject.org and we can discuss next steps for documentation/donation. 

Our belief is that any relic that is discovered and unwanted by the custodian of said relic/s should remain in the community they are found in. We believe this because we want to encourage communities to treasure the saints that are in their midst. 

However, if you are unable to keep the relic, please contact us at contact@therelicproject.org, and we will ensure it is put in a place of honor. Our prayer is that all relics donated to The Relic Project will be placed in a chapel or sacred space within the community from which they were donated.  

Meanwhile, we are in the process of establishing a relic chapel in Spokane, Washington, to provide a respectful home for relics that currently lack a dedicated place.

We deeply appreciate your prayers and any financial support, which will greatly contribute to the success of this important project.

At The Relic Project, we are committed to sharing the profound spiritual treasures of the many saints found throughout all of Christianity. Their lives guide us toward Christ, and we aim to create a bridge that enables the entire Church to encounter and learn from their stories. 

Let us draw inspiration from our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters, while also offering them the opportunity to learn from the Roman Catholic tradition, fostering unity and mutual understanding within the faith.

The Relic Project is an initiative designed to build connections between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic faiths by developing an online database that provides valuable information for both traditions.

To foster this connection, our database will include a subcategory indicating whether a saint is recognized as pre-schism or post-schism, as well as specifying whether the saint has been canonized in either the Orthodox or Catholic traditions.

If you are not a practicing Christian or are a Protestant Christian, please reach out to us right away, as these relics are sacred treasures that deserve respect and should be placed in the appropriate cultural and sacred spaces. 

Contact The Relic Project or a local Catholic or Orthodox church for guidance on how to properly donate or relocate the relic/s, ensuring the relic/s are cared for in accordance with the relic's significance. 

A relic comes from the Latin word reliquiae, meaning “remains” or “something left behind.” In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, relics are often associated with the physical remains of a saint (such as bones, hair, or blood) or objects that have come into contact with a holy person. They serve as tangible connections to those who lived virtuous lives in the service of Christ. The veneration of relics is deeply rooted in both traditions, as it is believed that the holiness of the saint continues to reside in their earthly remains or in the objects associated with them (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674; Orthodox Christian Information Center).

In Catholicism, a saint is a person who is recognized by the Church as having lived a life of extraordinary holiness and virtue. The process of canonization involves rigorous examination of the person’s life, miracles attributed to their intercession, and their faithfulness to Church teachings. Once canonized, the person is included in the Church’s official list of saints (the "Canon") and is held up as a model of holiness. Saints are considered to be intercessors in heaven who can pray on behalf of the living (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 828).
In the Orthodox tradition, saints are also venerated for their holiness, but the process of recognizing saints is less formalized compared to the Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church emphasizes the role of the entire Church community in recognizing and venerating saints (Orthodox Church in America).

Relics typically come from the remains of saints or holy persons after their death, and they are carefully preserved by the Church. In many cases, those close to the saint may preserve parts of the body or personal items. Historically, relics were often taken from saints who were considered particularly holy during their lifetimes. Today, relics are handled with great care and respect, often under the supervision of the Church. The veneration of relics was common from the early centuries of Christianity, especially among martyrs and early saints (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674; Orthodox Christian Information Center).

Yes, the Catholic Church classifies relics into three categories:

• First-class relics: These are parts of the saint’s body, such as bones, hair, or blood.
• Second-class relics: These are objects or clothing used by the saint during their      lifetime.
• Third-class relics: These are items that have come into contact with a first-class      relic or the saint’s tomb.
      

The Orthodox Church similarly venerates relics but does not formally categorize them in the same manner (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para.1674; Orthodox Church in America).

The Catholic Church believes that the body of a saint is a vessel of God's grace and holiness, deserving of reverence even after death. Dividing up a saint’s body for the purpose of veneration allows more people to encounter the physical presence of the saint. In contrast, the spreading of ashes after cremation is seen as an act that implies the body is no longer sacred or necessary, which contradicts the Church’s belief in the sanctity of the body and the resurrection of the dead (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 2300; Eternal Word Television Network).

The verification of relics involves a combination of historical research and ecclesiastical oversight. Modern relics usually come with certificates of authenticity issued by Church authorities, attesting to their provenance. Older relics, especially those dating back to early Christianity, often require more detailed historical investigation to establish their authenticity. In some cases, relics are authenticated through documentation from early Church records, while in others, they are linked to long-standing traditions within a specific Church community (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674).

Catholics do not worship relics; they venerate them. Worship is reserved for God alone. Veneration is a form of deep respect, not worship, and is given to relics because they are closely associated with the holy person. This respect extends to the saint who is believed to be alive with God in heaven. The veneration of relics serves as a reminder of the saint’s holiness and encourages the faithful to imitate their virtues (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674; Orthodox Christian Information Center).

The veneration of relics has ancient roots, going back to early Christianity. One of the earliest documented cases is the veneration of the relics of St. Polycarp in the second century. Christians gathered at his tomb to celebrate his feast day, marking the beginning of the practice of honoring saints on the anniversary of their death. The veneration of relics grew rapidly during the early Church, particularly in connection with the martyrs, whose bodies were often seen as powerful sources of intercession and miraculous grace (Orthodox Church in America).

Yes, the concept of relics can be traced to several passages in the Bible. For example, in 2 Kings 13:21, a man was revived after touching the bones of the prophet Elisha. In Acts 19:11-12, cloths that had touched St. Paul’s skin were used to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. These examples illustrate the biblical precedent for God working through material objects associated with holy people (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674).

In Catholic and Orthodox theology, relics are not inherently miraculous but serve as vessels through which God’s grace can flow. Miracles associated with relics are understood as God’s way of honoring the holiness of the saint. These miracles are seen as signs of God’s power and presence, not as magical occurrences. The faithful believe that God uses relics to perform miracles as a means of drawing people closer to Him and affirming the sanctity of His saints (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674; Orthodox Church in America).

Relics are often housed in ornate reliquaries to signify their sacredness and to protect them from theft or misuse. Historically, relics were sometimes stolen or misused for superstitious purposes. The 4th Lateran Council in 1215 formalized the practice of placing relics in reliquaries to prevent abuse and to encourage proper veneration. The beauty of the reliquaries also serves to highlight the importance of the relics and to inspire devotion among the faithful (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 1674).

The buying and selling of relics is forbidden by the Catholic Church, a practice referred to as simony. However, relics are sometimes bought and sold on the black market, particularly online. While technically the buyer is purchasing the container or reliquary, the Church strongly discourages the commodification of relics. Relics should be freely given as gifts or acquired through ecclesiastical channels (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, para. 2121).

Authentics

A document known as the "authentics" typically accompanies a relic, providing essential information about its authenticity. The key elements included are:

1. Ecclesiastic Authority: The top of the document names the ecclesiastic, such as the Postulator General or Vicar General, who authenticated the relic.

1. Latin Inscription: The main text, usually in Latin, roughly translates to:
   • "We, the Pro-Postulator in the Cause of (Beatification and) Canonization of [name], guarantee that a particle from [description] has been placed in a [description] case covered by crystal, bound by red thread, and sealed with the seal of our office."
   • Location and Signature: The document ends with the date, location (usually Rome), signature, and office seal.

1. Details Included:
   • The document includes the saint’s name, cause for sainthood, and their religious rank. It also describes the relic and its container, known as a locket or reliquary.
   • At the bottom, you’ll find the issuance date, registrar number, and signature of the authenticator.

1. Sealing Procedure:
   • The relic is secured in a locket by threads, sealed with red wax bearing the ecclesiastic’s insignia. The seal ensures the relic’s integrity and authenticity, and it should never be broken.
   • Even if the papers are lost, the seal can help regenerate new documentation in Rome, though it's challenging.

1. Latin Glossary for Relics:
   • arca mortuaria: mortuary box
   • arca sepulerali: coffin
   • breviario: breviary
   • coronæ spinse D.N.J.C.: crown of thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ
   • corporis: body
   • de velo: from the veil
   • ex bireto: from the biretta
   • ex capillis: from the hair
   • ex carne: from the flesh
   • ex cineribus: from the ashes
   • ex indumento: from the clothing
   • ex ossibus: from the bones
   • ex praecordis: from the stomach or intestines
   • ex pelle: from the skin
   • ex pluviali: cope (cloak worn for Benediction)
   • ex stipite affixionis: from the whipping post
   • ex tunica: from the tunic

1. Initials Following Names:
   • AP: Apostle
   • C: Confessor
   • D: Doctor of the Church
   • E: Bishop
   • EV: Evangelist
   • F: Founder of Order
   • Lev: Deacon
   • M: Martyr
   • PP: Pope
   • Reg: King/Queen
   • V: Virgin
   • Vid: Widow

Reference:  http://www.ichrusa.com/saintsalive/cert.htm