Relics: What They Are and Why They Matter

An excellent introduction to relics. It is sad that today's Church puts so little emphasis and importance to these sacred reminders of our past. Too many clergy today look on relics as morbid and try to sweep them under the rug. I own a number of books by Ms. Cruz and find them to be valuable references.

Joan Carroll Cruz has kept a good perpective on the relics belonging to the Church. The most important of course, is the buriel cloth of Christ-The Shroud of Turin. Since her printing of this book very relative information has come out regarding the French weave the nuns used in actually blending new yarn into the fabric of this cloth and this portion is what was tested in the 1980's carbon dating which placed the Shroud to be of the Middle-Ages. Also, there is stunning new visuals that were evidenced through modern technology and even leading to substantiation of Quantum Physics 'Event Horizon' a point of zero gravity. Particle Physicist beleive the Shroud relic will prove Science. The cloths holographic image reveals an amulet of metal across Christ's neck area displaying the Hebrew letters Alef Beta Alef which reads ABBA or FATHER. Further information can be obtained from the dvd Fabric of Time produced by Grizzly Adams productions.Back to this book, Cruz covers the Loretto house which was supposedly built by John the beloved for Mother Mary, BVM's vielo, and fascinating Eucharistic Miracles like Lanciano.Joan Carol Cruz delves into the most intriguing and important relics belonging to the Church.

Joan Cruz once again does an excellent job in her book RELICS. She is able to catagorize the relics in such a way that one can go through the chapters in the order they occur; or go to whatever one is interested in, and read them randomly,without getting lost. Her research continues to be thorough, and well documented. All i can add is that it would be nice to have an update on some of the relics in their current conditions and locations.

"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (Acts 19:11-12) Of course, I don't think that ALL the relics are genuine but perhaps what is important is the faith of the person using the relic. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says that even a little faith can move mountains whereas a lack of faith will produce no miracles (Matthew 13:58). I love the late Joan Carroll Cruz's books on this and other topics of interest to inspire Catholic/Orthodox Christians like myself.

This is the definitive book on relics, how they came to be and where they are today. Frankly, I didn't know so many still existed around the world. My wife has read this too is of the same opinion.

In terms of written content and documentation this is a 5 star book. The only reason I took away one star was because most of the pictures are in black and white and very difficult to see (because of the lighting, the distance from the object being photographed, etc.). BUT, all that aside, the stories, historical documents to back up each claim and sheer detail in each story that can be further verified is amazing. It's a crying shame that the entire Christian world does not know the stories of these saints and their sheer miraculous preservation, some several hundred years old with not even a single sign of corruption - no rigor mortis, soft, pliably skin etc. It's incredible, which is why the scientific documentation, pictures and such are so important.

Beautiful, interesting book. I had hoped for more photos.Extremely happy that Saint Sharbel Maklouf is included! His relics are currently touring America.

Careful scholarship and photos help the reader see and marvel at the relics left for our edification. The author does not exclude mentioning areas where the authenticity of relics are questioned with the passage of time, helping the reader to get a clear picture of their importance and a sure barometer of their genuineness.