Relics of Franciscan Saints in the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco

A detail from a painting by Giovanni Cimabue, in the lower level of the Basilica at Assisi.

The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco

Relics of Franciscan Saints
in Saint Francis of Assisi Church

The Catholic Church, echoing the doctrine of Moses, proclaims that worship is due to God alone. For Scripture says, “You shall not have other gods besides me” (Dt 5:7; Ex 20:3), and Our Lord Himself affirms, “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve” (Mt 4:10).

Worship, called latria in Latin, demands our whole-hearted acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty in our lives.

To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the “nothingness of the creature” who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name. The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world (Cat. 2097).

The Veneration of the Saints, however, refers to the respect and honor which the Body of Christ accords to its own members who, having faithfully run the race while keeping their eyes fixed on Christ (cf. Heb 12:1ff), persevered to end so as to merit everlasting glory with Him. From the Church the Christian

receives the grace of the sacraments that sustains him on the “way.” From the Church he learns the example of holiness and recognizes its model and source in the all-holy Virgin Mary; he discerns it in the authentic witness of those who live it; he discovers it in the spiritual tradition and long history of the saints who have gone before him (Cat. 2030).

Called dulia in Latin, veneration in the secular sense refers to honor, the sort of honor given, for example, to a judge as a representative of justice in court. In its ecclesiastical sense, dulia, or hyperdulia when referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary, refers to the honor we accord to the saints as evidence of God’s glory at work in human lives. We honor the saints for being instruments of divine grace and peace.

The “holy bodies of holy martyrs and of others now living with Christ ... are to be venerated by the faithful, for through these [bodies] many benefits are bestowed by God on men”

Council of Trent (Sess. XXV)

Accordingly, the relics of saints have no magical power; they are neither charms nor talismans. They simply place us in the presence of God’s graces that work through these holy men and women. They teach us to trust lovingly in God. As the life and witness of Saint Francis of Assisi proclaimed, when we trust in God, we need nothing more.

Saint Anthony of Padua

Relics of Saint Anthony of Padua. Photograph by Paul Flores.

The relics of Saint Anthony, Saint Francis, and Saint Clare rest in the two old side altars of Saint Francis Church.

The photos to the left show the reliquary of Saint Anthony, on the west side of the church.

Devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua
O Holy Saint Anthony, gentle Saint, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess wondrous gifts. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask of you to intercede for me and obtain my special requests.

[Mention your special intention.]

O gentle and loving Saint, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, offer my petition to the Lord and Savior. He chose you to be his powerful intercessor. May He now hear your prayer on my behalf and grant me the grace to lead a good and faithful life. Amen.
Saint Anthony of Padua,
Pray for us. Amen.

Saint Francis and Saint Clare

Relics of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. Photograph by Paul Flores.

Devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi
O beloved Saint Francis, gentle and poor, your obedience to God and your simple, deep love for all God’s creatures led you to the heights of heavenly perfection and turned many hearts to follow God’s will. Now, in our day, pray also for us, in our ministry to the many who come here searching for peace and intercede for us as we come before the Lord with our special requests.

[Mention your special intention.]

O blessed Saint of God, from your throne among the hosts of heaven present our petitions before our faithful Lord. May your prayers on our behalf be heard and may God grant us the grace to lead good and faithful lives. Amen.
Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi,
Pray for us. Amen.
___________

SAINT FRANCIS & SAINT CLARE

Your mutual love for the Lord
expressed itself in the tenderness
of your regard for God’s creation.
Inspire me to walk more gently
and respectfully on the earth
and in my daily encounter with all around me.
Assist me to see the presence of the Lord
in all whom I meet
so that my daily journey
may be humble and joyful,
trusting more and more
in the providential care of the Lord.

Bless all who, like me, visit this
National Shrine of Saint Francis.
Help us to be more mindful
of the needs of others.
Amen.