RELICS OF THE DEAD

After dinner, I went to make the station of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. How sad it was to see such a beautiful basilica ruined by flames!…

This church, which commemorates the burial place of Paul, had been partially destroyed in a fire. Nearly thirty years later, Eugene was present when the Pope re-dedicated the restored basilica. His name is on a commemorative plaque in the sanctuary.

In one of the side chapels not destroyed by the fire, they have preserved the miraculous crucifix, which they say spoke to Saint Bridget. In the same chapel they showed me Saint Paul’s handcuffs. Actually, it is a piece of chain which is similar to the chains on our suitcases.

Roman Diary, 29 January 1826, EO XVII

In this comment one encounters how Eugene was always low-key about extraordinary religious experiences and careful about objects of devotion that were of doubtful origin.

 

“Any relic of the dead is precious, if they were valued living.”   Emily Bronte

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2 Responses to RELICS OF THE DEAD

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I have not had a lot of experience with relics. But I do remember what it was like when I visited Aix to see and touch a few of the things that belonged to Eugene during his lifetime. Just as I walked the streets that he had walked and went to the places he had visited, looking at them through eyes of memory, I touched the vestments that he wore, I touched the small kneeler that was his in the small room leading to the ‘Foundation Room’. In Rome I touched what was his desk (some say his altar). It was not to gain any special grace or holiness, it was really a small caress of connection, a small way to physically connect somehow with Eugene. Not so much emotion and feeling, but more of an experience. Similar to my touching the cross I wear around my neck – it is something that is experiential and intimate, a physical connecting.

  2. Jack Lau, OMI says:

    Thanks Frank
    The founder while living in a era of piety and devotion was balanced and realized that it was not the relic/devotion that was to be touted but the purpose and focus is what was important. How it connected us the the History of Salvation and Divine Relationship.

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