The Feast of All Holy Relics | The Power, History, and Meaning of Relic Veneration in the Church

About this sermon

Why do Catholics venerate relics? This homily for the Feast of All Holy Relics explores the biblical foundations, ancient traditions, and hope in the resurrection behind honoring the remains of the saints. From Elisha’s bones to objects associated with St. Paul, Scripture provides the starting point for a reflection on God’s work through His holy ones. The sermon discusses early Christian devotion to martyrs, relics in altars, pilgrimages, and insights from St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Damascene. It also addresses objections concerning the True Cross and St. John the Baptist, recalls the Council of Trent’s rejection of superstition and financial abuses, and calls us to recover respect for our fathers in the faith. The central message: honoring the saints ultimately directs our devotion to God, who sanctifies them. 00:00 Introduction: The Feast of All Holy Relics 00:43 What are relics? 01:20 Death, holiness, and the New Testament 01:50 Biblical examples of healing 02:24 Early Christians and the martyrs 02:58 Relics in altars and the tombs of saints 03:22 Elisha’s bones: an Old Testament example 03:50 St. Thomas Aquinas on honoring those we love 04:15 St. John Damascene on holy relics 04:56 Christ’s victory and hope in the resurrection 05:39 Pilgrimages and sacred places 06:35 The feast and local traditions 07:32 Neglected reliquaries and lost devotion 08:38 Objections about saints’ relics and the True Cross 09:34 Abuses, superstition, and the Council of Trent 10:04 A modern anecdote about selling a relic 11:22 Respect for the dead and our fathers in faith 12:25 Relic veneration ultimately honors God 13:04 Resurrection, devotion, and closing exhortation #HolyRelics #CatholicFaith #Relics #Saints #VenerationOfRelics #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicChurch #AllSaintsDay #CatholicHistory #Miracles #StJohnDamascene #StThomasAquinas #CatholicTradition #LatinMass #FaithAndReason #CatholicSermon #Holiness #CatholicDevotion #ChristianFaith #PowerOfRelics 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Holiness
• Church & Fellowship
• The Church