Xavier students recently had a once in a lifetime opportunity to deepen their faith and experience a part of Catholic history. A rst class relic of Pope John Paul II was brought to Xavier on Wednesday, September 6. The relic was brought by the Florida Religious Institute, Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and it traveled around the Cedar Rapids and Des Moines areas throughout the weekend.
The rst class relic of Pope John Paul II was a vial of blood drawn inthelastmonthsofhislife.The relicisoneof vefromthesaint, and is the only one that travels to di erent communities. For a relic to be deemed rst class it must be a direct part of the body of a saint. A second class relic is any object that was used by the saint in the course of their life, such as a personal clothing item or journal. Third class relics are any item that has touched a rst class relic.
Sister Grace Marie, a Xavier graduate in ‘04, thought bringing the relic to Xavier after learning it would be making its way to the Midwest. When being held by Sr. Grace Marie’s community, the relic travels all across the United States and Latin America. It has already been
to Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, and other countries. “I immediately thought of Xavier, because John Paul had such a love for young people,” Sr. Grace Marie said. “It would be greatforhimtocometotheyouth as he always did during his life.” The students and community members who visited the relic were able to learn more about Pope John Paul II and venerate the relic themselves. They were able to lay their own personal objects, including bibles or rosaries, on the vial, creating their own third class relics. “I really want to echo John Paul’s words ‘Don’t be afraid to follow the Lord’s will whatever that may be,’” Sr. Grace Marie said. “That is truly where you will nd the most satisfaction and the greatest ful llment.”