July 22 - Catholics Line Up To See Cross And Veil Relics

Catholics are lining up to see one of the largest alleged pieces of Jesus Christ's cross and a piece of the Virgin Mary's veil. The Catholic relics are on display at St. Francis De Sales Oratory in south St. Louis.

Hundreds of St. Louisans gathered to see and touch more than 150 relics linked to saints. They waited in long lines for the chance to say a prayer and touch a personal item to the relics specifically linked to the crucifixion and to St. Mary.

"The more significant relics that are here is a fragment of the veil of Our Lady of the Cloth, worn by the mother of God on her head, and wood from the cross on which Jesus died," explained Father Carlos Martins, who travels all over the country with these relics.

He says every exposition is a special experience for the people that come to see and touch them, "People have that experience, that encounter. And it's great to be a part of that. It's great to be able to be an instrument God uses to provide this for his people."

Rosaries, prayer cards, and necklaces were just a few of the many objects people waited in line to touch up against the relics on display Friday night.

Some, like Jane, came with very specific groups of people in mind to pray for, "I just thought it was a great moment to besiege all the saints to keep our youth in their intercession, and that was my prayer."

For Canon Michael Weiner, having St. Francis de Sales act as host of this exposition was special, “This visit of 150-plus Saints is a great blessing for our community, for the whole church, and this part of town."