MISSING RELICS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12772, 25 May 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

MISSING RELICS.

NEW YORK CHURCH DESPOILED

In religious circles m New York commotion and even bitter criticism has been caused by the reported disappearance of important relics from St. John's Roman Catholic Church, New York, which has been the resort of pilgrims, and the scene of alleged wonderful cures. Americans generally seem interested because, outside Wall street, they have not many shrines, and the relics now described as strangely missing gave . an Odor of sanctity and medievalism to a district which sadly lacks these attributes. Here is a list of the relics which are missing :— Piece of cloak worn by; St. Joseph. ' Pieces of bones 'from 55 saints of the Holy Catholic Church, including all the Apostles, St. Stephen the' Martyr, St. Patrick, St. John the Baptist, St. Anthony, St. Benedict the Moor, St. Cecilia, and St. Agries.

• Piece of the true cross . on which Christ was crucified.

Piece of the 'Saviou's cloak. Small parts of the table used for the Last Supper.

Parts of the sepulchre m which Christ was laid.

Piece of the rope used m His scourging.

. The relics came here originally from the house of a ' 'noble family m Rome about eight years ago," and were guaranteed genuine by a Papal document executed during the reign of Pope Gregory XVI., m 1842. The priest m charge of St. John's , Church is griefstricken by the disappearance of the holy objects, and refers ,all questioners to Monsignbr Lavelle, secretary to Cardinal Farley. The latter refuses to discuss the matter, saying "it is none o,f the public's business."

■It is claimed' that - the, missing relics effected cures Vas wonderful as those we read about being worked at Lourdes. Sores were' healed, swellings reduced, deformed limbs made normal, and weak eyes strong.- The relics wero reputed to be equally effective m curing spiritual infirmity, r * ':'..>'.,■'. ,".