Silver Reliquary with a Rare Relic of Saint Catherine of Bologna

Silver Reliquary with a Rare Relic of Saint Catherine of Bologna (ex carne)

With Original Episcopal Authentication Document, 1888

Diameter: 4 cm

An exquisite 19th-century silver reliquary, housing an exceptionally rare relic (ex carne, from the flesh) of Saint Catherine of Bologna, one of the most venerated female saints of the Franciscan tradition.

The relic is carefully mounted on a gilded textile ground and identified by its original handwritten label. The reliquary remains intact and unopened, secured with its original red silk cords and episcopal wax seal, preserving the relic exactly as authenticated in the 19th century.

It is accompanied by its original Latin document of authenticity, issued in 1888 and bearing the official seal and signature of the Archbishop, confirming the relic’s provenance and ecclesiastical legitimacy.

The Saint Saint Catherine of Bologna (1413–1463)

Saint Catherine of Bologna was a Poor Clare nun, mystic, artist, and spiritual writer, revered for her holiness, humility, and profound interior life. She served as abbess of the convent of Corpus Domini in Bologna, where she became renowned for her visions, ascetic discipline, and deep devotion to Christ’s Passion.

After her death in 1463, her body was found to be incorrupt, a condition that persists to this day and can still be venerated in Bologna. She was canonized in 1712 and is regarded as a patroness of artists, painters, and those seeking purity of heart.

Relics of Saint Catherine—especially relics ex carne—are extraordinarily rare, due to the singular veneration and protection of her incorrupt body. Their presence outside major ecclesiastical treasuries is uncommon and highly significant.

The Ecclesiastical Authority Nicolaus Chiarardi

Archbishop and Apostolic Prelate

The relic was authenticated by Archbishop Nicolaus Chiarardi, who served as Archbishop and Apostolic Prelate, acting under the authority of the Holy See. His role included the canonical recognition, sealing, and authorization of sacred relics for public veneration.

Documents issued under his name represent the highest level of ecclesiastical scrutiny and approval, ensuring that the relic was examined, verified, and sealed according to strict Roman canonical norms. The intact wax seal and silk threads attest that the reliquary has never been opened since its authentication in 1888.

Significance

This reliquary represents a rare convergence of devotion, history, and canonical integrity.

• An intact silver reliquary with original seals
• A fully preserved episcopal authentication document
• Provenance rooted in 19th-century Roman ecclesiastical tradition

Such relics were intended not as decorative objects, but as focal points of prayer, contemplation, and intercession, embodying the living continuity of the Church across centuries.

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