Relics

Arm of Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Francis Xavier

Rome, Italy

The right forearm of Saint Francis Xavier, the arm with which he baptized an estimated 30,000 converts across Asia. It was separated from his body in 1614 and sent to Rome.

Blood of Saint Padre Pio

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

Vials of blood and the gloves stained with blood from the stigmata wounds of Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), one of the most famous stigmatists in Church history.

Body of Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Francis Xavier

Old Goa, India

The remarkably preserved body of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), the great Jesuit missionary known as the 'Apostle of the Indies,' is enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India.

Bones of St. Charles Garnier

Midland, Canada

Bones of St. Charles Garnier, one of the eight Canadian Martyrs, who was martyred in 1649. The relics are housed at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario.

Bones of St. Gabriel Lalemant

Midland, Canada

Bones of St. Gabriel Lalemant, one of the eight Canadian Martyrs, who was martyred in 1649. The relics are housed at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario.

Bones of the Magi

The Three Magi (Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar)

Cologne, Germany

Relics believed to be the bones of the Three Wise Men (Magi) who visited the infant Jesus. They are housed in the magnificent Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral.

Cave of the Holy Innocents

Bethlehem, Palestine

Located beneath the Church of the Nativity, this cave contains the remains of infants believed to have been martyred by King Herod in his attempt to kill the newborn Jesus.

Chains of Saint Peter

Saint Peter the Apostle

Rome, Italy

Two sets of chains believed to have bound Saint Peter during his imprisonments — one in Jerusalem (Acts 12:6-7) and one in Rome's Mamertine Prison before his martyrdom.

Complete Remains of St. Victoria

Maria Stein, USA

The complete skeletal remains of St. Victoria, a 3rd-century Roman martyr. The body is covered in wax and clothed, and is encased in glass at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

Girdle of the Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Thomas the Apostle

Prato, Italy

The Sacred Girdle (Sacra Cintola) is a belt or sash believed to have belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, she gave it to the Apostle Thomas at her Assumption.

Head of Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist

Amiens, France

The head of Saint John the Baptist, who was beheaded by order of King Herod Antipas. Multiple churches claim to possess the authentic relic, with the most prominent being the Amiens Cathedral in France.

Holy House of Loreto

Blessed Virgin Mary

Loreto, Italy

The Holy House (Santa Casa) is believed to be the house of the Virgin Mary in Nazareth, where the Annunciation took place. It is now enshrined within the Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto, Italy.

Holy Nails of the Crucifixion

Jesus Christ

Milan, Italy

Nails believed to have been used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Tradition holds that Saint Helena discovered them along with the True Cross in Jerusalem around 326 AD.

Holy Prepuce

Jesus Christ

Calcata, Italy

The relic of the circumcision of Jesus, one of the most unusual and contested relics in Christian history. Multiple churches claimed to possess it during the Middle Ages.

Holy Stairs (Scala Pilati)

Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate

Rome, Italy

The 28 marble steps believed to be from Pontius Pilate's praetorium in Jerusalem, which Jesus climbed during his trial. They are now housed in the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs in Rome.

Image of Edessa (Mandylion)

Jesus Christ, King Abgar V of Edessa

Edessa (modern Urfa), Turkey

The Image of Edessa, also known as the Mandylion, is a holy relic consisting of a cloth bearing the image of Jesus' face, believed to be an acheiropoieta (image not made by human hands).

Incorrupt Heart of Saint John Vianney

Saint John Vianney

Ars-sur-Formans, France

The incorrupt heart of Saint John Vianney (1786-1859), the Curé of Ars and patron saint of parish priests. His heart was found perfectly preserved when his body was exhumed in 1905.

Jesus' Manger Relic

Bethlehem, Palestine

A small wooden fragment from the manger where Jesus was laid at birth. After more than a thousand years in Europe, the relic was returned to Bethlehem in 2019.

Milk Grotto

Bethlehem, Palestine

A shrine in Bethlehem where the Holy Family is said to have taken refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents. Tradition holds that a drop of the Virgin Mary's milk fell on the ground, turning the rock white.

Our Lady of La Naval de Manila

Quezon City, Philippines

A 16th-century ivory and wood statue of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, venerated in the Philippines. The statue was canonically crowned by Pope Pius X in 1907 and is enshrined in the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.

Pillar of the Nativity

Jesus Christ, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph

Bethlehem, Palestine

The columns and structure of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built over the traditional site of Jesus' birth. The grotto beneath the church is considered the actual birthplace of Christ.

Precious Blood of Christ (Mantua)

Jesus Christ, Saint Longinus

Mantua, Italy

Earth soaked with the blood of Christ, believed to have been collected by Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced Jesus' side with a lance. It is the principal relic of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea in Mantua.

Relic of Pope Saint Victor I

Leptis Magna, Libya

The relic of Pope Saint Victor I, the first pope of African origin. He reigned from 189 to 199 AD and played a significant role in the early Church.

Relic of Saint Cyprian

Carthage, Tunisia

The relic of Saint Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage who was martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258 AD. He was a great defender of the faith.

Relic of St. Carlo Acutis

São Paulo, Brazil

A first-class relic of St. Carlo Acutis, a fragment of his skin, is housed in the Saint Carlo Acutis Parish in São Paulo, the first parish in the world dedicated to him.

Relic of St. Damien of Molokai

Maria Stein, USA

A first-class relic of St. Damien of Molokai, the Belgian priest who ministered to people with leprosy in Hawaii, housed at the Maria Stein Shrine.

Relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha at Martyrs' Shrine

Midland, Canada

A first-class relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous North American saint. The relic is housed at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario.

Relic of St. Peregrine Laziosi

Maria Stein, USA

A first-class relic of St. Peregrine Laziosi, the patron saint of those suffering from cancer, housed at the Maria Stein Shrine.

Relic of the True Cross

Christchurch, New Zealand

A fragment of the True Cross, discovered by St. Helena in Jerusalem, is part of a collection of relics in Christchurch, New Zealand. The collection was assembled by Bishop John Joseph Grimes in the late 19th century.

Relic of the True Cross (Jerusalem)

Jerusalem, Israel

A fragment of the True Cross, discovered by Saint Helena in the 4th century, is preserved in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Relic of the True Cross at St. Anthony's Chapel

Pittsburgh, USA

A fragment of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, housed at St. Anthony's Chapel.

Relics of Saint Augustine

Hippo Regius (Annaba), Algeria

The relics of Saint Augustine of Hippo, a Doctor of the Church and one of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity. His writings have had a profound impact on Western thought.

Relics of Saint Charles Lwanga

Namugongo, Uganda

The relics of Saint Charles Lwanga, one of the 22 Uganda Martyrs who were executed for their faith in 1886. He is the patron saint of youth in Africa.

Relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Lisieux, France

The bones and personal effects of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Doctor of the Church, whose 'Little Way' of spiritual childhood transformed modern Catholic spirituality.

Relics of Saints Perpetua and Felicity

Carthage, Tunisia

The relics of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, who were martyred in the arena at Carthage in 203 AD. They are venerated as saints by the Catholic Church.

Relics of St. Bridget of Sweden

Vadstena, Sweden

The relics of St. Bridget of Sweden, one of the six patron saints of Europe, are enshrined in the Vadstena Abbey. Her body was returned to Sweden after her death in Rome in 1373.

Relics of the Fatima Children

Maria Stein, USA

First-class relics of St. Jacinta and St. Francisco Marto, two of the three shepherd children who witnessed the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The relics are housed at the Maria Stein Shrine.

Relics of the True Cross at Maria Stein Shrine

Maria Stein, USA

Three fragments of the True Cross of Jesus Christ, housed at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

Remains of St. Concordia

Maria Stein, USA

The nearly complete skeletal remains of St. Concordia, a 3rd-century Roman martyr, housed at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

Robe of the Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary

Chartres, France

The Sancta Camisa, believed to be the tunic or veil worn by the Virgin Mary at the time of the Annunciation or the birth of Jesus. It is the principal relic of Chartres Cathedral.

Skull of Saint Agnes

Saint Agnes of Rome

Rome, Italy

The skull of Saint Agnes of Rome (c. 291-304), a virgin martyr who was killed during the Diocletian persecution at the age of 12 or 13. She is one of the most venerated early Christian martyrs.

Skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf

Midland, Canada

The skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf, one of the eight Canadian Martyrs, who was martyred in 1649. The relic is housed at the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, Ontario.

Staff of Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph

Rome, Italy

A wooden staff believed to have belonged to Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. According to tradition, it miraculously flowered to indicate that Joseph was chosen to be Mary's husband.

Stone of Anointing

Jerusalem, Israel

The Stone of Anointing, located at the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is believed to be the spot where the body of Jesus was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea.

The Blood of San Gennaro

Saint Januarius (San Gennaro)

Naples, Italy

Two vials of dried blood attributed to Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), the patron saint of Naples. The blood reportedly liquefies three times a year during special ceremonies.

The Bones of Saint Peter

Saint Peter the Apostle

Vatican City, Vatican City

Bones discovered beneath St. Peter's Basilica, identified by Pope Paul VI in 1968 as those of Saint Peter the Apostle.

The Column of the Flagellation

Jesus Christ

Rome, Italy

A short column believed to be the one to which Jesus was tied during his scourging.

The Crown of Thorns

Jesus Christ

Paris, France

A circle of rushes bundled together and held by gold threads, measuring 21 cm in diameter. The thorns were distributed separately over the centuries — about 70 thorns were divided between Byzantine emperors and French kings.

The Finger of Saint Thomas the Apostle

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Rome, Italy

A finger believed to be the one that Saint Thomas placed in the wounds of the risen Christ (John 20:27).

The Head of Saint Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena

Siena, Italy

The perfectly preserved head of Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church.

The Holy Blood of Bruges

Jesus Christ

Bruges, Belgium

A phial containing a cloth stained with what is believed to be the blood of Christ, brought to Bruges during the Crusades.

The Holy Chalice of Valencia

Jesus Christ

Valencia, Spain

An agate cup mounted on a gold stem with handles, recognized by the Vatican as a 'historical relic' though not officially authenticated as the cup used at the Last Supper. The upper cup is a 1st-century Middle Eastern agate vessel.

The Holy Coat of Trier

Jesus Christ

Trier, Germany

The seamless garment of Christ for which soldiers cast lots at the Crucifixion (John 19:23).

The Holy Lance

Jesus Christ / Saint Longinus

Vatican City / Vienna, Vatican City / Austria

The spear used by the Roman soldier Longinus to pierce the side of Jesus on the cross (John 19:34). Multiple lances claim to be the authentic relic.

The Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta)

Jesus Christ

Rome, Italy

Twenty-eight white marble steps believed to be from Pontius Pilate's praetorium in Jerusalem, ascended by Jesus during his trial.

The Incorrupt Heart of Saint Teresa of Ávila

Saint Teresa of Ávila

Alba de Tormes, Spain

The preserved heart of Saint Teresa bearing a wound consistent with her account of transverberation — the mystical piercing by an angel's lance.

The Incorrupt Right Hand of Saint Stephen of Hungary

Saint Stephen I of Hungary

Budapest, Hungary

The perfectly preserved right hand of Saint Stephen I, the first King of Hungary, who Christianized the nation.

The Incorrupt Tongue of Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony of Padua

Padua, Italy

The perfectly preserved tongue, vocal cords, and jaw of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the greatest preachers in Church history.

The Shroud of Turin

Jesus Christ

Turin, Italy

A linen cloth measuring approximately 4.4 by 1.1 meters bearing the faint, yellowish image of a man who appears to have suffered physical trauma consistent with crucifixion. It is the most studied artifact in human history.

The Sudarium of Oviedo

Jesus Christ

Oviedo, Spain

A bloodstained cloth measuring 84 x 53 cm, believed to be the cloth wrapped around the head of Jesus after death, as mentioned in John 20:6-7.

The Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgin Mary / Saint Juan Diego

Mexico City, Mexico

A cloak made of cactus fiber (ayate) bearing the image of the Virgin Mary, given to Saint Juan Diego in 1531. The tilma should have deteriorated within 20 years but has survived nearly 500 years.

The True Cross Fragments

Jesus Christ

Rome, Italy

Fragments of wood claimed to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Hundreds of fragments exist across Europe.

The Veil of Manoppello

Jesus Christ / Saint Veronica

Manoppello, Italy

A thin veil bearing the image of a face, claimed to be the Veil of Veronica — the cloth used to wipe the face of Jesus on the way to Calvary.

Thorn from the Crown of Thorns at St. Anthony's Chapel

Pittsburgh, USA

A thorn from the Crown of Thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ, housed at St. Anthony's Chapel.

Tooth of Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, France

A tooth and other relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, preserved in the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in Provence, France, along with what is believed to be her skull.

Tooth of St. Anthony of Padua

Pittsburgh, USA

A tooth of St. Anthony of Padua, a Doctor of the Church. This is the only particle of his skull not in Padua, Italy, and is housed in St. Anthony's Chapel, which has the largest collection of relics outside of the Vatican.

Veil of Veronica

Jesus Christ, Saint Veronica

Vatican City, Vatican City

A cloth said to bear the image of Jesus' face, imprinted when Saint Veronica wiped His face during the Way of the Cross. It is one of the most famous acheiropoieta (images not made by human hands).

Veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary at St. Anthony's Chapel

Pittsburgh, USA

A fragment of the veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary, housed at St. Anthony's Chapel.