Theology on the Rocks Akron program attendees learn about, view relics

“Relics: Are Catholics Weird or Merely Human?” was the intriguing title of a presentation delivered by Father John Valencheck, pastor of St. Sebastian Parish in Akron, at a recent Theology on the Rocks Akron program.

Father Valencheck also brought several relics with him to help illustrate his talk.

He explained what a relic is, noting they fall into different categories or classes. First-class relics are the most important since they are the physical remains of a saint, such as a bone, hair, skull, blood, or flesh. They also can be items directly connected to the life and Passion of Jesus, such as a piece of the true cross. Father Valencheck said the relics undergo a rigorous verification process before being certified as authentic. They should be entrusted to the care of a church/parish or religious entity to ensure they are properly cared for. It is a violation of canon law to buy or sell a first-class relic.

“The diocese has an authentic first-class relic,” he said, referring to the skeleton of St. Christina, a martyr of the early Church. Her skeleton was gifted to the diocese more than a century ago. Normally, she is in Resurrection Chapel at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. However, due to extensive renovations in the cathedral, the relics were moved to St. Sebastian Parish until the cathedral work is done.

All relics are not equal, Father Valencheck said, explaining that second and third-class relics are more common. A second-class relic is usually something worn or used by a saint, like a piece of clothing, while a third-class relic is something that was touched by a saint.

Father Valencheck showed a wooden box containing the cremains of his dog, Sebastian. “This is not a relic,” he quipped. Then he showed several other reliquaries that contain relics of saints, including St. Sebastian, the parish patron saint. Others displayed included a relic of the true cross, a piece of the purple cloak Jesus wore during his Passion, St. John Vianney, St. Padre Pio and St. Maria Gorretti.

Altars in Catholic churches often contain relics, he said, noting relics of St. Donatus, a 4thcentury Italian bishop and martyr known as a dragon slayer, and St. Innocent, were placed in many churches of the diocese. If an altar contains a relic, it should be from a martyr, Father Valencheck said.

He displayed a photo of him meeting Pope St. John Paul II when he was in Rome not long after his 1998 priestly ordination. “I was invited to celebrate Mass with the pope. When he greeted me, he gave me a rosary he had blessed. That is now a third-class relic,” he said. He also showed a photo of him with the late pope.

“Cleveland has a secular version of a repository for relics – the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum,” Father Valencheck quipped.

He said sometimes mementos of people are cherished. For example, in Victorian times, it was common to keep a lock of someone’s hair. The deceased person’s hair might be kept in a locket, a pin or another piece of jewelry in order to keep a loved one close. However, these are not relics.

Father Valencheck also explained that Catholics do not worship relics. Rather, they are venerated.

After his presentation, Father Valencheck answered a few questions and invited attendees to view the relics he brought to the program.

He invited the group to attend a special candlelight Mass at 7 p.m. on All Souls Day, Nov. 2, at St. Sebastian. Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, will be the celebrant. St. Christina’s relics will be displayed by the altar.