Treasuring the link to many saints

Catholic relics are an ancient tradition, and some create great excitement—like the Arm of St. Jude, which was venerated last year at Most Precious Blood Parish, or five relics of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, which will come to Corpus Christi on May 2 and 3 to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles. However, most altars in Catholic Churches contain a relic linking to the early church's practice of celebrating Mass in the tombs of martyrs and reminding the faithful to witness the faith.
 
Our Lady Star of the Sea, though, is home to not only one but over 300 relics. Collected over decades, they are sometimes displayed as a “Saint of the Week.” But who knew how many different relics the parish owned? Debbie Burnett, a parishioner, started a project three years ago to examine every relic, catalog it and pair it with the correct authenticating document.
 Fr. Roy J. Kalayil gives a book to Bishop Michael MulveyNow, this project has turned into a beautiful book that describes every relic and provides information about the saint it belongs to in alphabetical order, from Saint Adelina to Saint Zita. “When I began this project three years ago, I had no plans to create a book,” Debbie shares. Her work led to writing bios of each saint and sharing them with the congregation in the church bulletin.
 
“Eventually, God opened the doors for me to compile everything into a book. Sharing our holy relics with others has been a beautiful blessing,” says Debbie. The book is available for $20 at the church before and after weekend Masses, or you can reach Debbie at (361) 960-9955.