The very first online relic library, called The Relic Project, is a new initiative out of Spokane, Washington, that seeks to make accessible the sacred legacy of the saints to a new digital generation.
The mission of The Relic Project is to establish a comprehensive online library of first and second class relics, and thus share the blessing of relics, particularly those that may be obscure, unknown, or forgotten. The ultimate goal of the project is to preserve sacred relics and share the stories of the saints whose lives bear witness to the faith.
The Relic Project’s two fitting patrons are St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen items, and Bl. Carlos Acutis, who created a database of the world’s Eucharistic miracles and is set to be canonized on September 7th of this year.
Founder and Executive Director, Anthony Di Mauro, was initially inspired to begin this initiative when his own parish, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane, had been gifted a relic of St. Peregrine, patron saint of those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses. Anthony noted that this relic was only displayed a few times a year, leading him to wonder where the relic was stored when it was not on display, and whether there were other “hidden” relics in storage at the cathedral. Speaking to his parish priest, Anthony discovered that there could possibly be up to 50 relics stored in various places throughout the cathedral, including a tiny piece of St. Joseph’s tunic, and a dusty and damaged reliquary containing the relics of St. Maria Goretti.
Anthony quickly realized that this was not an isolated or regional issue, and there were relics in churches all over the world that were neither displayed nor archived and had been, essentially, forgotten. This led to the inception of The Relic Project, whose aim is to ignite a digital revolution in sacred tradition by advancing what it calls a “Relic Renaissance” through the creation of a comprehensive online catalog that allows people to discover, find, and grow in the devotion to the saints that inspire them.
The Relic Project follows a three-step process in the collection, preservation, and sharing of relics. First, curation begins once a relic is submitted. Its authenticity is verified and all data is collected, including contact information, photos, and descriptions. Once the relic is vetted and properly formatted, it is published in the database. In addition, The Relic Project may periodically publish articles highlighting certain relics (such as on corresponding feast days) or important announcements, which are available on their blog or on social media. Finally, the faithful are encouraged to visit the relics in person.
“As The Relic Project continues to grow, our hope is to help build a future where relics are properly authenticated, restored, and brought back into places of honor around the world,” says Anthony, who sees the initiative as not only significant, but also urgent, given the nature of relics themselves.
The Relic Project came to the attention of Angela Christianson, a Regnum Christi member currently living in Spokane. Since learning of the initiative, she and her husband, Bob, have been offering counsel and prayer support to Anthony and other members of The Relic Project.
For Angela, The Relic Project is particularly important in this time when the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is being threatened. “I have experienced the reality of The Relic Project as an invitation to people to come to know their dignity, in the very dramatic reality of the saints’ physical remains calling us to reverence,” says Angela. “It is such an important historic moment for Catholics to be more deeply rooted in our calling, in our mission for the world, of helping people to be identified with their dignified nature and to be integrated into that nature. And I think The Relic Project helps with that.”
Angela commutes between her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Spokane, where four of her six children, and her grandchildren, currently live. Angela has been a member of Regnum Christi for over 30 years, and throughout this time, she has served in an enormous variety of roles, including team leader, section assistant, section leader, and the head of Clear Water Academy, a Regnum Christi school in Calgary which all of her children and grandchildren attended. She has also been a delegate for the Regnum Christi international conventions. Angela has served as a spiritual director for nearly 30 years, and received her certificate in spiritual direction at Divine Mercy University; she continues to provide spiritual direction both in person and virtually.
To find out more about The Relic Project, visit their website at therelicproject.org. The Relic Project is always looking for volunteers in a variety of roles, including mission ambassadors who help to spread the word and uncover relics within local communities, social media managers to grow awareness online, and curators to help catalog relic data. Visit therelicproject.org/get-involved or therelicproject.org/help-us-grow to learn more about how to help or to support this urgent mission.
