The Veneration of Relics

This picture, from the 2001 visit of Thérèse's relics to Ireland, shows people bringing flowers to the relics of the saint. It is a practice that accords with all our human instincts: think of how people often bring flowers to the grave of one they love. In a sense, the visit of the relics fulfils the same need: people will travel to visit Thérèse and show love and respect for her. Many people today (especially outside the Church) might view the veneration of relics as strange or outdated. In fact, it is a practice that has an unbroken history both in the Church and in secular society. Want to know more? You can download a new resource: "The veneration of relics: a practice for today" by clicking here (pdf) or click here to see it as a standard webpage.