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”.
St. Hedwig
St. Peter Canisius
St. Louis IX
St. Ferdinand III
St. Oswald
St. Hermengild
St. John
St. Canute
St. Frances of Rome
St. Catherine Laboure
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.
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.