- 7 pm Talk "St. John Paul II: Witness to Love" -
8 pm - Holy Rosary 

This is the official pilgrim relic of St. John Paul II. It contains an ampule of (still!) liquified blood that was
drawn for medical testing in the days before he passed away when he was so sick. One of the nurses who
was attending him was a religious and recognizing that he was a holy man saved 2 vials of blood after he
passed away with the foresight of preserving them as relics when he was recognized as a saint. There
are many relics of St. John Paul II’s blood, but very few with this quantity and with blood that is still
liquid.

This particular relic is one of 5 in the world, and the only one that travels. The other relics of this kind
are in places of significance to the life of John Paul II – for example a small town in Italy where he went
skiing and his hometown in Poland. One was also given to the Cardinal of Madrid.

This particular relic, being the official pilgrim relic of St. John Paul II, is ordinarily kept by the postulator of the
cause of his canonization, Monsignor Slawomir Oder. (The postulator for a saint’s cause of canonization is the
person, in this case a priest, who gathers all the information necessary and conducts the investigation into the life,
virtue, and teachings of the person whose cause for canonization has been opened.) The Mother Foundress of our
religious community, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Mother Adela, SCTJM, has known
Msgr. Oder for many years and they have grown to be friends, united in a common love of St. John Paul II. The
Lord has called Mother to keep the legacy of St. John Paul II alive and to continue to teach it as younger
generations may not remember him or the richness of his life and teachings. Msgr. Oder has recognized the
beauty and fruit of the pilgrimages of the relic when he has entrusted it to Mother Adela, so he has now made her
the official custodian of the relic whenever it travels to the United States and Central and South America. Our
religious family has been entrusted with the relic for different lengths of time over the last 9 years, during which
Mother sends teams of sisters to travel with the relic, guide the times of veneration, and teach and communicate
the legacy of St. John Paul II throughout the US, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America.

For those of you who recall the funeral of St. John Paul II, you will remember that it was a very windy day in St. Peter’s Square. The wind swept through the pages of book of the Gospels that was laid open on his coffin, eventually closing even the cover. For many, this was seen as an iconic moment as the life of St. John Paul II was totally imbued and in many ways enfleshed the Gospel. It was a symbolic moment of the “closing” of the earthly life of this beloved pope. The artist who designed the reliquary had this moment in mind. The glass ampule of blood is set in the form of this book, whose pages are lifted at the corners symbolizing the wind that passed through the pages of the Gospel the day of his funeral. On the left side you will see the name of John Paul in Latin, as well as his papal crest and motto “Totus Tuus”, which is taken from St. Louis de Montfort’s total consecration to Mary, meaning “Totally Yours”.

You can begin to gather your thoughts and intentions as you wait in line, so that you can take full advantage of the opportunity you have when you approach the relic itself. Many people who encountered John Paul II during his lifetime, recall their encounter and almost feel as though they are seeing him again…but simply live the moment of grace the Lord is providing! When you approach, you do not need to kneel before the relic. Some people prefer to do so, which is ok if the line is not too long. You will be given a holy card of St. John Paul II which you can place on the relic and place your hands on top of while you ask for his intercession. You may also hear the sisters who are accompanying the relic and assisting during the time of veneration interceding with you for your intentions. If you brought any religious articles (eg. Scapulars, rosaries, holy cards, etc.) that you would like to be touched to the relic, please give them to one of the sisters who will then touch them to the relic.

Please also be aware, that as St. John Paul II had such an affection for those who were infirm or suffering, that we will also be attentive to those who are not able to stand for long periods in line. If you have this difficulty, please let one of the ushers know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please be patient if you see people being escorted towards the front of the line. Everyone will have a chance to venerate the relic, so please do not get upset or feel anxious when you see this happening. Also, if you are pregnant, please let the sisters beside the relic know so we can say a special prayer for the baby as well.

If you desire more time of prayer after venerating the relic, you are welcome to stay and pray in some of the pews made
available for this purpose.

Relics are typically classified into 3 “classes” – first class, second class, and third class.

• A first class relic is anything that is part of the body of a saint or anything that is part of the Passion of Jesus.
• A second class relic is anything that a saint used during their lifetime (for example: clothing, rosaries, books, etc.).
• A third class relic is anything that has been touched to the remains or the tomb of a saint, or something that has been touched to a first-class relic.

We often think of the saints as our older brothers and sisters in the faith, those who are examples for us on our path
of holiness. The saints are those who are recognized to be already rejoicing in God’s presence in heaven, which is
why they are such powerful intercessors. Relics are a way to bring the presence of that saint closer to us as we ask
their powerful intercession. Although the analogy is limited, we can liken relics to treasured family heirlooms or
things that belonged to beloved family members who have passed away that somehow make us feel closer to them.

There are stories in different places of the Old and New Testament that give support to the practice of the veneration
of relics as we know it today. For example, in 2 Kings 2:9-14 after the prophet Elijah is taken to heaven in a flaming
chariot, his successor, Elisha, takes the cloak that his mentor left him and uses it to strike the water of the Jordan
river, just has Elijah had done to cross it initially. The river parted, just has it had when Elijah had struck it with his
cloak. Another passage involving Elisha’s tomb (2 Kings 13:20-21) tells of a deceased man being brought back to life
when carried and touched to Elisha’s bones. A New Testament reference is from the Acts of the Apostles (19:11-12)
that recounts how people were healed and delivered of evil spirits when cloths that had touched Paul were laid on
them.

What is important to note with these passages is that the objects through which the miracles were obtained belonged
to holy people who lived faithfully. Because of their cooperation and fidelity, God was then free to work through them in life. The objects are a link to the holy people who allowed themselves to be used as God’s instruments during their lifetime and continue to do so in eternal life.

No, venerating relics is not idolatry. That being said, we have to understand that any grace or miracle obtained through the intercession of the saint whose relic we are venerating is granted by God. The saint helped make our petition known to God, but it was God who granted the grace. From an outside perspective, the veneration of relics may appear to be a superstitious practice, but we are simply reminded of the holiness and fidelity of the saint whose relic is before us, and implore them to intercede on our behalf. This is part of the beauty of the communion of saints – we are connected with heaven! The important disposition we should have during veneration is faith – faith in God and His love. It is not the material relic we see before us that obtains the grace or miracle (working something as a talisman or superstitious object), but God who has chosen to work through the saint whose relic is before us. We worship God, but recognize His work in and through His saints whom we venerate and whose relics we venerate.