Today, many people believe that relics are a thing of the past with no relevance to today’s world. I disagree since many of us still utilize prayer cards, rosaries, and other touchstones from our upbringing that comfort us today. They serve as a means or doorway to deeper spiritual reflection for many of us.
Recently a woman wrote to the Archives office asking if she might return a prayer card that is a secondary relic of Saint Katharina. It was found among her grandmother’s possessions after she passed away, and the family wanted to return it to its “rightful” home. She then sent it with an accompanying note. Her grandmother was a nurse and the prayer card enabled her to have a connection with Saint Katharina. While reflecting on the card, closer alignment with the charism of Saint Katharina reminded her of a vocation with a higher purpose.
I keep a prayer card for Saint Anthony in my purse. He is my “go to” person for something lost. Daily, he serves me well in this capacity as I recite: “Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony please come around, that which is lost must be found.” Not always, but often he answers my prayer by helping me with lost items. On many days, this little ritualistic saying keeps me sane!
If you have been following the story about Sister Wilhelmina in Gower, Missouri that has made the news, you know that thousands of believers have visited her incorrupt body over the Memorial Day weekend and brought items to touch to her physically in the hope that maybe some of her spirituality will overflow onto them. Such things as rosaries are the common items used to hold her blessing. Whether condoned or not, believers gain comfort from this practice.
I think that the world lacks the essence of belief that strengthens hope and faith. These practices can and do create opportunities for believing that the world can be a better place through one relic, one saying, one affirmation, or whatever it takes to focus a person’s mind in the right direction. Psychologically or not, if it works, use it. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless that contribute to pointing a person in a positive direction.