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  • Published: 15 July 2011
  • ISBN: 9780307590732
  • Imprint: Christian/Forum
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $34.99

Saints Preserved

An Encyclopedia of Relics



A relic is an object connected with a saint (e.g., a part of the body or clothing or something the person has used or touched) and is venerated by the Church. Many are believed to have special and holy powers, and in this intriguing compendium, Thomas Craughwell takes us on an exhilarating, and sometimes downright strange, tour of the various articles that hold special meaning for Catholics.

A “fascinating” (HuffPost) tour of the sometimes surprising ancient relics left behind in the modern world, from the Crown of Thrones at Notre Dame to the skeleton of a Roman martyr enshrined in a cathedral in Los Angeles.

A finger, a lock of hair, a crucifix, a chalice—if such items belonged to a saint, they are considered to be relics and as such are venerated by the Catholic Church. Anyone who thinks that relics are remnants of the Middle Ages should log on to eBay. On any day of the week the online shopper will find a thriving business in the sale of these items, ranging from the dust from the tomb of Christ to splinters of the True Cross to bone fragments of countless holy men and women. In Saints Preserved: An Encyclopedia of Relics, author Thomas J. Craughwell takes us on an exhilarating journey through the life and death of more than three hundred saints and along the way enlightens us about the sometimes strange bits and pieces that the saints left behind.

Including entries on the famous (Saint Peter, Saint Francis, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux) and the not so famous (Saint Foy, Saint Sicaire, Saint Chrysogonus), Saints Preserved also features information on such notable relics as the Holy House where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph lived; the Holy Grail; and the seven places that claim to possess the head of Saint John the Baptist—among them a mosque in Damascus. Moreover, this book includes major relics that are enshrined in the United States.

From the extraordinary Aachen relics to the remains of Saint Zita, Saints Preserved is an indispensable compendium for spiritual seekers, history buffs, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith.

  • Published: 15 July 2011
  • ISBN: 9780307590732
  • Imprint: Christian/Forum
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $34.99

About the author

Thomas J. Craughwell

THOMAS J. CRAUGHWELL is the author of several books about saints. He’s appeared as an expert on CNN, the BBC, and Inside Edition and has written articles about saints for the Wall Street Journal, Inside the Vatican, and Catholic Digest, among other national publications. He lives in Connecticut.

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