A Singular Collection
Among the most remarkable features of Saint Mary of Victories is its extraordinary collection of sacred relics. Embedded within the magnificent high altar and housed in reliquaries throughout the church, these relics connect the faithful of Saint Louis directly to the communion of saints across two millennia of Christian history.
What Are Sacred Relics?
In Catholic tradition, relics are the physical remains of saints — bones, pieces of clothing, or objects that touched their bodies — that are venerated as signs of the saints’ holiness and as intercessory contacts with heaven. The Council of Trent affirmed the ancient practice of venerating relics, and the presence of a relic in an altar is a requirement for a consecrated altar in the Roman Rite.
The high altar of Saint Mary of Victories contains hundreds of sacred relics — an exceptional number that makes this altar one of the most significant reliquary altars in the entire Archdiocese of Saint Louis.
A Living Connection to the Saints
For the faithful who pray before these relics, they are not mere historical curiosities. They are tangible connections to men and women who lived heroic Christian lives, who now enjoy the beatific vision, and who intercede before God on behalf of those still on pilgrimage in this world. The relics at Saint Mary of Victories invite the faithful into this living communion.
Visiting the Relics
Visitors to Saint Mary of Victories are welcome to view the relics during church tours and at times of public worship. We encourage all who come to approach them with the reverence and devotion they deserve as sacred signs of God’s grace at work in human lives.