Are they really what they claim to be?

And does it matter?

CathBlog - Magi relics in Cologne Cathedral

Along with many things in the Church, as long as they're not abused and don't become a focus of people's faith, belief in certain things, such as relics, act to deepen believer's faith in God and in God working in this world, something that isn't bad in itself. It falls into error when the objects (apparitions, prophecies, relics, etc.) become the focus of people's faith, and not simply signposts pointing to God...

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That's two

'Good Grief' articles for one day. I'm on a roll!

On the religious roots of celebrity worship

I'm not saying the article is wrong, I'm just saying "a genuine religious phenomena."? I wouldn't have thought that.

They must have a room reserved for me at Bedlam...

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He claims

to have found Giotto's signature in the shroud. Now we just need to see the evidence.

Turin Shroud by Giotto: Book

Just saying...

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They can't guarantee the authenticity

but they're taking it on faith...

Shroud of Turin to be major tourist draw: officials

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I'm not trying

to be impious or anything, but I always take these with a grain of salt...

Relic of St. Mary Magdalene to visit U.S.

It's much like relics of the 'true cross'. I can accept relics from the 13th, 145h, 15th, etc. centuries. The Church was established and was deliberately saving relics at those times, but I struggle with relics from the time of Jesus. I can't believe that anyone, during those times and before the establishment of the structure of the Church, would have thought to save these items because of their connection to someone who was just another person in the life of Jesus or that even the exact location of the grave was known. It would be a miracle...

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But

the Church really does treat the shroud as if it is a holy relic.


Italian scientist reproduces Shroud of Turin

Still, I'm from Missouri on both counts. I don't know that the cloth is authentic. I also don't know if I trust the scientist's process. I'm not convinced either way. Both sides have too much of an agenda with the shroud. I'll just keep treating it the way I have and not get too excited about it one way or the other...

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Today

Ash Wednesday

Feel free to fast and abstain from meat today...

A new exhibit

Turin Shroud to go on public display

"The Turin Shroud is to go on public display for the first time in a decade, sources at the Vatican have indicated, coinciding with a new set of tests on its age."

As new techniques develop new tests will continue to be done, I suppose...