Reliquary of Saint Desiderius
Born in Gaul during the mid-Sixth Century, Desiderius Lingoninois rose to become Bishop of Vienre. As bishop, he challenged existing laxity within the clergy and assailed the most powerful leaders in the land for their immorality. Incurring the wrath of Queen Brunhildis, Desiderius was removed from office, then banished. Later reappointed by Pope Gregory the Great, Desiderius became a staunch advocate for his people, who were suffering persecution by the neighboring Vandals. And he renewed his attacks upon the corrupt royal court. Tradition tells us that, in taking revenge, Queen Brunhildis and her grandson, King Thierry of Burgundy, had Desiderius set upon and cruelly strangled by their hirelings.
In years that followed, the beloved Desiderius was venerated as a martyr, his bone wrapped, sealed and preserved. And his feast day is still celebrated in Langres, France on the 23rd of May.
The reliquary itself is made of bronze and copper and originates from the Studios of the Architect Viollet-le-Duc, Paris 1820. It was placed under the side altar and carried around annually during main processions.
A brief history of relics...
The remains of a saint or holy person are called relics, from the Latin Reliquiae meaning remains.
After the crucifixion of Jesus, the persecution of His followers brought about the death of countless martyrs. They were buried in cemeteries called "catacombs", many of which later became treasuries of relics.
As missionaries put into practice the Lord's injunction to go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations, they would take what they held dear, including their honored dead.
As early as the fourth century, small pieces of bone, blood, or cloth that had come into contact with the body, were distributed. The division of these remains was not regarded as desecration, but an act of veneration. These minute pieces were believed filled with a spiritual force that could produce miracles through the intercession of the saint.
Soon the possession of these saintly remains became an obsession and a matter of jealous rivalry. Possession of an outstanding relic would increase the amount of pilgrimages to a church. A rival town could improve its fortunes by acquiring a precious relic, sometimes by bold theft. It became impossible to prevent certain abuses, such as distribution and fraud.
At present, the veneration and transfer of relics is governed by the Sacred Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship. We are reminded not to confuse sound spirituality with magic. Our prayers are not to the bit of bone but to the saints themselves.
What are classes of relics?
Relics are divided into three classifications.
First-class relics are part of a saint's body or an instrument of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Objects that have been sanctified by close contact with a saint, such as clothing or an item used by the saint, are categorized as second-class relics. In the case of a martyr, the instrument of their martyrdom is also considered a second-class relic.
A third-class relic is any object that has been touched by a first-class relic.
