St. Jean Vianney: A Vial of His Blood–A 1st Class Relic

St. Jean Vianney, Vial of Blood, 1st Class Relic                                          

This 1st class relic, a vial of St. Jean Vianney’s blood is in a glass reliquary.  It contains a substantial amount of his (coagulated) blood, making it an unusual relic of this great saint.

The word, relic, comes from the Latin reliquiae, meaning remains.  Relics are the actual remains or an object associated with a saint or martyr.  These remains or objects are esteemed and venerated in many religious traditions because of their association with the person.

Relics are in classes. 1st class relics are the actual remains of the person being venerated.  2nd class relics are objects, for example, clothing, that have touched the person being venerated.  The reliquary is the container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept.

St. Jean Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, is deeply  loved by the Curator, and, as such, this is a relic of immense sacred value to his Collection.