The Relic of the Communion of Saints

“The Relic of the Communion of Saints” is a work which seeks to create an object that may one day be made into a relic by means of the participation of members of the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant. The object itself will take form as a unique monumental scale ceramic rosary infused with prayer and sacrifice.

Once the object is created it will be put on public display where individuals may view and touch (and ergo contribute to) the “Relic of the Communion of Saints”. As part of its display a logbook of prayer intentions and a list of those who have contributed to and touched “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” will accompany the object.
*Disclaimer* Please Read:
Despite the working title of this piece as “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” the object being created is not a relic as understood by the Church under neither the authority of the Congregation for Causes nor the local ordinary of the Archdiocese of Denver. Any reference to the term “relic” pertaining to this work is simply meant to be an artistic reference and not as a descriptor of the essence of this object.


Details:
- “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” will be a monumental scale object to accentuate the communal nature of prayer among the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant, especially through devotion to Our Lady’s rosary.
- The artist/maker will be in a state of prayer and fasting during the creation of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” as the first step of “infusing it with prayer” and as an artistic and spiritual nod to the efficacious tradition of creating holy images most notably icon writing
- Physical slips of material upon which prayer intentions are inscribed will be gathered, prayed for by the artist/maker and fired with/in the object as the second stop of “infusing it with prayer” and so as they are incinerated they may “rise as incense” before God’s throne
- A request will be made to have the local bishop bless “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” as a holy image in a third step of “infusing it with prayer” and as a sign of obedience and fidelity to Holy Mother Church and her indispensible role in the salvation and sanctification of souls.
- Instructions will accompany “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” that the intentions “infused” in the firing process, as well as the intentions and sanctification of all those who have ever prayed with or touched “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” be included among the intentions anytime it is used to pray as an ongoing step of “infusing it with prayer” and a reiteration of the intimate communion among the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant.
- A log book will accompany “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” to serve as a progressive history of all of those who have prayed with and/or touched the object, as an act of hope that perhaps some certainty about its eschatological connections may arise over time as individuals on the list are canonized


How you can be a part of the creation of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”:

1- Let us pray for you – The central purpose of the creation of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” is to have it be a vessel which contains the physical and spiritual essence of those whom God calls to be saints (every soul). Because of this, please inscribe your prayer intentions and send them to the artist/maker so that he may pray for them, share them with the other contributors so that they may pray for them and finally that they may be symbolically infused into “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” by means of being fired into the object.
2- Pray for others- As an inseparable quality of living a life of holiness, prayer must be always in our minds, upon our lips and in our hearts. Please pray for the success of this work, for the intentions of all those who contribute to it, and for the salvation of all souls. In union with prayer you are encouraged to join the artist/maker in offering small sacrifices (notably fasting).
3- Be a saint - Because the intention of the creation of this object is that it may someday become a relic the pinnacle of participation in “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” is to obediently live out your first vocation: the call to holiness. This object will only truly become a relic if those who interact with it become saints themselves. As St. Paul reminds us in his first letter to Timothy, our holiness is indeed the most profound manifestation of the will of God.


Why:
A woman once attempted to steal a rosary from St. Padre Pio, He resisted and rebuked the woman who in turn responded “but Padre, I just wanted a relic” to which St. Pio admonished her saying “then make your own!” As beloved creations of our Loving Father we were all created to become saints and dwell with Him in heaven for eternity. The intent of the creation of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” is to remind all people of our call to sainthood and to create an outward physical sign of the participation that the entire Communion of Saints; the Church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant, has in aiding us in our goal of eternal life united with God and the members of His Church.

What:
All kinds of prayers will be accepted, may they be prayers of intercession, thanksgiving, petition or simply devotion to our Merciful and Loving Father. Inscriptions of common prayers (Our Father, Magnificat, Anima Christi etc.) as well as personal prayers are welcome. Prayers with particular intercessors (Mary, St. Joseph, St. Roch, Guardian Angels etc.) are also encouraged as they are already participating in the union between the Church Militant and Triumphant. Please note that anything sent in that is sinful, heretical or scandalous is by its very nature not prayerful and will not be included on the list of intentions or in the infusion of the work.

Who:
Everyone is encouraged to contribute to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”. Certainly the conversions, repentance and sanctification of those with even the most discreet relationship with God are not unheard of throughout salvation history. Oscar Wilde (who despite a life of sin, himself converted to the Faith on his deathbed) once said, “Indeed, that is the charm about Christ, when all is said: He is just like a work of art. He does not really teach one anything, but by being brought into His presence one becomes something. And everybody is predestined to His presence. Once at least in his life each man walks with Christ to Emmaus.” Because “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” is meant to be life changing as a work of art as well as grace bestowing as a holy image we encourage anyone who has even the slightest compulsion to contribute to this work that they may grow closer to God and His people and one day become a great saint.

How:
Prayer intentions may be inscribed by any means (ink, graphite, thread, collage, etc) in any style (print, cursive, various languages, drawings, images etc.) upon any combustible material (paper, cardboard, wood, cloth etc.) The intentions will be cataloged in the log book as well as posted on “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” blog. The most beautiful, poignant or compelling (drawings, embroidery, collage, calligraphy etc) of the prayer intentions will be photographed and posted as images. If you choose to have your intentions kept private you may either include a small note asking them not to be posted/logged or enclose them in a sealed envelope with instructions for not even the artist/maker to view them. Even if kept private the intentions will be prayed for and included in the log as simply “and all other intentions of those who participated in the creation of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints.” Please note that if, during the creation of this work, your prayers are answered in a visible way please notify us that we may share the good news and add new prayers of thanksgiving.

When:
The creation of this work by means of fabrication of the object as well as prayer and fasting will begin at 9:00am May 31, 2010 the feast of the Visitation, whereby we commemorate the first time Christ’s presence within someone was shared with another. It is only fitting that Mary, the Queen of All Saints, would be the one who instigated such a profound manifestation of such a communion among God’s people. So that these prayers may rise to the throne of God as Our Blessed Mother had before them, all inscribed prayer intentions must be received by no later than August 15, 2010 the feast of the Assumption, to be included in the firing process. However, prayer intentions will be accepted indefinitely to be added to the prayer list of the artist/maker and the logbook which will accompany “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”.

Where:
The inscribed prayer intentions may be mailed individually or in groups to:

“The Relic of the Communion of Saints”
1438 S. Vaughn Circle
Aurora, CO 80012

Prayers may also be dropped off in marked drop boxes at various parishes around the Archdiocese of Denver once permission is granted by the Bishop and the individual Pastors (more information to come)


Progress on this work as well as a progressive list of prayer intentions and images of inscribed intentions may be viewed through “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” blog http://therelicofthecommunionofsaints.blogspot.com/

Donations to offset the cost of the fabrication of this work are welcome. (paypal link to come)

For questions, more information or interview requests please email: RelicOfTheCommunionOfSaints@gmail.com

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