What does it mean to say a Catholic item is a first, second, or third class relic? Thank you!?

Answer 1

A first class relic is a piece of the body of a saint. These are contained in altars and are treated with special reverence because the reliquary ( container) is essentially a small grace.

A second class relic is comething that belonged to a saint during thei lifetime and was used by them. This could be clothing, rosary, bible, etc. A second class relic can also be a stone or earth from a holy place. I was given a second class relic from Gethsemane by a nun in Rome who actually assembles reliquaries.

A third class relic is something- usually cloth- that has been touched to either a first or second class relice. These are sometimes called 'touched relics'

Answer 2

A first class relic isa part of the body of a saint or anything connected with a saint, for which the church has great respect because of the holiness of the saint while on earth. That is usually bone; leg, finger, etc. However there is the True Cross, the lance that pierced Christ's side; Christ's burial shroud; though these are not 'body' parts, they have Christs body, blood on them

Second is something that this saint wore, necklace, clothing or owned and used.

Third is most common; it is something that touches the first class relic.

Also, these items are often on Ebay and saying 'such' and 'such' a relic. Use great caution and care. Furthermore; if an item is said to be blessed...let's say by a Pope; once that item is sold the blessing ceases. So...if you have an item that is blessed and wish to pass that blessing on; give it away!

Answer 3

1st Class is an actual body part. Bone, etc... of a Saint.
2nd Class is an object touched to a 1st Class
3rd Class is an object that has been touched to a 2nd.

Answer 4

What I would like to know is who thought this stuff up??
Talk about idol worship.