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Mary Help of Christians: Relics

What Are Relics?

Welcome to Mary Help of Christians, a Catholic center administered by the Salesians of Don Bosco. We are blessed at Mary Help of Christians to have a large collection of relics of the saints. With over 700 relics here in our church and in our chapel, we invite you to spend some time “in the communion of the saints”.

You can search for a saint or for a patronage below:
 

St. Simon

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-simon-the-apostle/ Patronage : Curriers, fishermen, sawmen, sawyers, tanners, woodcutters, Cartigliano, Italy, Marostica, Italy, Monterchi, Italy, Worshipful Company of Shipwrights Feast Day : 10/28
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A11

St. Philip

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-philip-the-apostle/ Patronage : Special Forces Feast Day : 05/03
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A12

St. Jude Thaddeus

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jude-thaddeus/ Patronage : police officers, hospital workers, lost (or impossible) causes Feast Day : 10/28
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A13

St. Bartholomew

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bartholomew-the-apostle/ Patronage : leatherworkers, plasterers, tanners, trappers, curriers Feast Day : 08/24
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A14

St. James the Lesser

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-james-the-lesser/ Patronage : pharmacists Feast Day : 05/03
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A15

St. James the Greater

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-james-the-greater/ Patronage : veterinarians, equestrians, furriers, tanners, pharmacists Feast Day : 07/25
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A21

St. Peter

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-peter-the-apostle/ Patronage : fishermen, net makers, and ship builders Feast Day : 06/29
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A22

St. John

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-the-apostle/ Patronage : editors, authors, art dealers, tanners, and theologians Feast Day : 12/27
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A23

St. Matthew

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-matthew-the-apostle/ Patronage : accountants, tax collectors, bankers, bookkeepers, joiners, custom agents, security guards, perfumers Feast Day : 09/21
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A31

St. Thomas

Bio : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-thomas-the-apostle/ Patronage : architects, politicians, land surveyors Feast Day : 07/03
Building : Church Cabinet Location : A32
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What are relics?

The word relic comes from the Latin reliquiae, which translates into “remains”. Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with the saints or with Our Lord.

There are three different types of relics:

  • First-Class Relics are items directly associated with the events of Christ’s life (the manger, the cross, etc.), or the physical remains of a saint (a bone, a hair, a limb, etc.)
  • A Second-Class Relic is an item which was worn by a saint (such as a shirt or a glove), or which the saint owned or frequently used (such as a crucifix or book).
  • A Third-Class Relic is an object that is touched to a first- or second-class relic. Most third-class relics are small pieces of cloth.

Schedule a tour

Please email relics@mhctampa.org to schedule a guide to the relics. You are also welcome to come and venerate the relics during the hours the church is open.

Contact Us

Hours of operation

You’re welcome to  have a self guided tour when open

Mary Help of Christians Parish Church is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays, and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends. Please call the parish before visiting, as we have many retreats and events that my close the church temporarily. The parish number is 813-626-7588.

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