Why We Venerate Relics?

At The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, relics of Saints are displayed daily in the Apparition Oratory, offering a quiet space for prayer and reflection. On each Saint’s feast day, their relic is brought out for public veneration, allowing the faithful a special opportunity to seek their intercession and be inspired by their example.

Relics are sacred, physical connections to holy men and women in Heaven. Through them, we are reminded that sainthood is not distant or unreachable, but a real calling for each of us. To venerate means to show deep respect and honor. Veneration is not worship; rather, when we venerate relics, we honor what God has done in the life of the saint. Just as a masterpiece reflects the greatness of its artist, the saints reflect the greatness of God. In honoring them, we ultimately give glory to Him.

Relics also have a strong biblical foundation. In 2 Kings 13:20–21, a man is brought back to life simply by touching the bones of the prophet Elisha. In Acts 19:11–12, cloths touched to St. Paul bring healing. These passages show that God can work through physical objects connected to His holy ones, just as He continues to do through relics today.

The Church recognizes three classes of relics. First-class relics are physical remains of a saint, such as bone. Second-class relics are items a saint used during their life. Third-class relics are objects that have been touched by a first-class relic, extending that connection. At The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, all relics on display are first-class relics, preserved with proper documentation to ensure their authenticity and reverence.

In a world that often feels disconnected from the sacred, relics remind us that God works through both the spiritual and the physical. They invite us into a deeper faith, encouraging us to follow the path of holiness walked by those who have gone before us.

Kids looking at Relics at Champion Shrine

Champion Shrine Relic Collection

RELIC VENERATION

St. Patrick

Relic Veneration

St. Mark

Relic Veneration

St. Philip the Apostle

Relic Veneration

St. James the Lesser

Relic Veneration

St.Matthias

St. Barnabas

St. Anthony

St. Peter

St. Paul

St. Thomas

St. Maria Goretti

St. James the Greater

St. Helena

St. Pope Pius X

St. Bartholomew

Mother Teresa

The True Cross

St. Matthew

St. Francis

The Journey of the Relics

Over the years, priests, pilgrims, shrines, and generous benefactors have entrusted sacred relics to the care of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. These gifts bring the mortal remains of great saints to Our Lady’s Shrine, a fitting home under the care of the Queen of Heaven, who lovingly draws her children closer to her Son through the witness of the saints.

The Shrine began with no relics, yet through God’s providence, more and more have found their way here. Each relic that is donated is carefully verified for authenticity before being reverently placed on display for public devotion. Today, these sacred treasures are available to the nearly 200,000 pilgrims who visit the Shrine each year, offering them a powerful opportunity to bring their prayers to the saints and seek their intercession.

This growing collection also supports the Shrine’s mission of catechesis, teaching the faithful about the lives, sacrifices, and holiness of these great men and women of the Church. Through relics, pilgrims encounter not only history, but living examples of faith that continue to inspire.

If you are interested in donating a relic to the Shrine, you are invited to contact the Shrine directly. Through such generosity, the legacy of the saints continues to grow, helping countless souls deepen their faith and devotion.