Q. I receive in the mail a number of prayer cards and religious medals that say “touched to a third-class relic.” Some even contain a piece of cloth which they claim to be a third-class relic. I have so many of them and need to know how to properly dispose of them. What should I do?
A. I appreciate your question because it’s probably on the minds of many people. These mailings are very common and are often accompanied by the request of donations. Know that you are never obligated to send donations to organizations that send these free gifts.
It’s good to recall the purpose of relics. A relic is an example of a sacramental, which is not a sacrament, but bears resemblance to them. A sacramental is a sign that is instituted by the Church for the spiritual benefit of Her members.
The word relic comes from the Latin reliquiae, meaning “remains.” In the early Church, Mass was celebrated over graves containing the remains of martyrs, those who shed their blood for Christ. As time went on, fragments of the martyrs’ remains were embedded in altars throughout the Christian world.
There are three different classes of relics. A first-class relic is the blood, piece of bone or any part of a saint. Second-class relics include any object sanctified by close contact with a saint or Jesus. Third-class relics are objects that have been touched to either first- or second-class relics.
It’s important to note that the Church promotes the veneration of the relics of saints, not just anyone. The saints have been canonized by the Church, declaring them to be with God in all His glory. Relics remind the faithful of the reality and attainability of holiness, with the grace of God.
In regard to the disposal of relics, they should be respected as all sacramentals are respected. Canon Law, a code of Church laws governing the Church, states “sacred objects, which are designated for divine worship by dedication or blessing, are to be treated reverently and are not to be employed for profane or inappropriate use even if they are owned by private persons” (Can. 1171).
The guiding principle of disposing of sacred objects including third-class relics is that of reverence. Church law does not regulate the disposal of a statue, a broken rosary, or what is believed to be a third-class relic. It would be appropriate to give a blessed object due reverence in its disposal. There is a traditional, pious custom of burning or burying objects that have been blessed so that these objects won’t be subjected to profane use. However, this is a pious custom and not a requirement of Church law. If one is able to show reverence in this manner, it would be laudable.
This question was answered by Father Nicholas Kipper, moderator of the curia. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
