Relics and Reliquaries of Saints

Skulls and bones of holy people on display in churches

Greetings Gold and Silver Level Templar Knights! Let me take you on a grisly trip to view some saints’ relics!

Many of us have a ghoulish interest in the relics of saints displayed in Roman Catholic churches. These bones and other items are often housed in ornate, glittering reliquaries. They may even have their own chapel. I have catalogued some of the best examples and below, share some of the images I've taken on my camera and iPhone. Enjoy!

Full body relics

Full body relics of saints always capture the attention. I visited the church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome and saw the body of Saint John Leonardi (1541-1609), founder of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca. This church, incidentally, was built on top of a pagan Roman temple to Jupiter.