What Are Relics?
Simply put, relics are the the bones, remains, ashes, clothing, or personal possessions of the apostles, and other holy people that are held in reverence by the Church. Relics are sometimes associated with miraculous healings and other acts of God. Like other sacramentals, they are not the cause of these graces, nor are the magic. God is the only source of grace. Relics are divided into three different classes. The actual remains of saints are refered to as first class relics. Possessions are referred to as second class relics. Other objects that are brought into contact with either first or second class relics are referred to as third class relics. Most of the hundreds of relics in Father Dunne's collection are first class relics, followed by second class relics from ancient saints such those of the as the Blessed Virgin Mother. A few are third class relics.
Relics & Our Catholic Tradition
The veneration and use of the relics of saints have been part of the Christian faith and tradition since the earliest days when the faithful gathered at the resting place of Christian martyrs. We have documents as early as 156 describing the practice and place relics have in our worship of god when the bones of Polycarp were collected and placed in a suitable place for us to gather together.
…we took up his bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are able, in gladness and joy, and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom.
Re: Polycarp
While not absolutely required, virtually every Catholic Church’s altar contains, is constructed around, or is constructed over relics of a saint. Two famous examples are St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Basilica both constructed in such a way that their alters are directly above the original resting place of Peter and Paul. In 787 The Second Council of Nicaea decreed that relics should be used to consecrate churches.
The tradition in the Roman liturgy of placing relics of martyrs or other saints beneath the altar should be preserved, if possible. But the following should be noted: …The greatest care must be taken to determine whether the relics in question are authentic; it is better for an altar to be dedicated without relics than to have relics of doubtful authenticity placed beneath it. read more at adoremus.org
While we offer our worship to God alone, relics call to mind the holiness of a saint and his part in God’s work. They inspire us to consider a saint’s example, ask for their intercession, and pray that we may live the same kind of life. In the scriptures and throughout the ages God has chosen to perform many miracles in the presence of relics.
More To Come
Father Dunne's collection of relics is vast. The task of cataloging, researching, documenting, and photographing the dozens upon dozens of relics and history will take a while. I am not a historian, nor fluent in latin or greek, or even deciphering handwriting on old documents. If any of you are skilled in those things I am not, reach out as I am searching for assistance. My goal is to have new relics and the Saints they belong to completed every week. That may not be possible but please stay tuned and check back. Father Dunne's treasures is truly a treasure of the Church and we are lucky to have them preserved for veneration by generations that come after us.
Hopes
The hope of this effort is that it contributes in some tiny way to the US Bishop's three year mission of Eucharistic revival. The hope is that it brings those in our parish into deeper communion with Christ's mystical body on earth through the Saints relics right here in our midst. The hope is that a few feel called to celebrate Mass and receive the Eucharist more often through reflection and celebration of all our feast days. Hope that a few of us gather together on those feast days to venerate and be inspired by the Saints. The hope that stumbling across one of these Saints brings even one person in need to the Church and Christ's mercy and love.
I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
What is crooked cannot be made strait, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but chasing after wind.
For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.
—Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
…knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
—1 Corinthians 8:1
A Brief History of Our Parish
In 1808, the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware and part of New Jersey were subdivided from the Diocese of Baltimore by the Vatican; creating the Diocese of Philadelphia. The Archbishop of Baltimore granted the establishment of Elkton as a mission to St. Francis Xavier. Through the donations of seven local Catholic families, the cornerstone of the original church was dedicated in 1849. Originally founded on Bridge Street in Elkton (adjacent to Union Hospital), the parish site consisted of a church, rectory and cemetery. Later a school and convent were added on this small parcel of land. The stimulated interest at the time was in the doctrine of Mary conceived without sin …surely influencing the naming of our parish.
In 1868 under the Most Rev. Thomas A. Becker, the Diocese of Wilmington was created by the Pope to include all of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. That same year, Immaculate Conception Church became a separate parish in its own right and received its first resident priest, the Rev. Francis Blake.
Read more at the Immaculate Conception Parish site or read a more detailed history at the Diocese Of Wilmington Wiki.