Relic Repairs

One facet of our work at Sacra is repairing sacred relics. Anything with glue eventually needs fixing, and relics, however holy, are no exception. Repairing old cloth, or even bones, takes the utmost care, and is no trivial task.

A reliquary that is foggy and in disrepair. The relics are not easy to recognise or pray with.

Relics in our time need lots of work. Half a century or more of neglect, or even mistreatment, leaves many reliquaries tarnished, covered in dirty or dust, or left in disrepair. Sacred vessels made from precious metals should be stored in cool, dry places, and regularly kept up. A well-kept sacristy or capella can ensure minimal repairs are needed, but this has too often not been their treatment in recent years. Relics (and their documentation, a topic we shall treat in another series) left in disarray in a drawer or safe-box can become dirty or break. Even in the case of careful treatment over the centuries, some upkeep is necessary.

A relic that is in good repair and has been cleaned can make a difference in the lives of the faithful, too. A relic which is more easily visible and is not surround by grime is easier to pray with, less off-putting, and can draw us into the wonder and respect necessary for veneration. Relics that are unclear or dodgy looking can be an obstacle to devotion or a distraction.

Old glue and weathering can damage the relic and its cedula (label) and can present a distraction to devotion. Resetting and cleaning can help the faithful to more easily make a connexion. Beautiful elements in presenting a relic are fitting to their sacred nature.

Sacra repairs all manner of relics and reliquaries, whether the metals on the exterior need attention, or the relics themselves have become broken or dislodged on the inside. This last is a condition particularly grave, since a loose relic can rattle round and disintegrate over time.

Any repair is accompanied by a process of research of the relic’s origin and provenance, and an equally extensive documentation of the repairs made. It is imperative that any change to the condition or housing of a relic be documented properly, so that repairs or changes do not give rise to suspicions of inauthenticity in future.

Sacra recently cleaned and repaired a large collection of relics for a parish. Many had lost documentation, and the majority of them had undergone severe water damage.

A good clean can make a real difference. Let our outward care of these relics give increase to the devotion in our souls.