The Relics of St. Thérèse and the True Cross were obtained by Msgr. Arnaldo Catalan (Apostolic Nunciature in Kuwait) from the Vicariato di Roma in Italy, the official repository of all the relics of the saints on behalf of the Vatican, some twelve years ago when he was still a priest student in Rome. Those who obtain these relics do not become their “owners” but are mere “custodians”. Msgr. Catalan presented the relics to the Parish of St. Thérèse on the occasion of its first Feast on 2 October 2006, and in doing so transferred the custodianship to the Parish Priest on behalf of the faithful.
THE THECA (The Relic Container) – The relic container or “theca” is in the form of a crucifix that is about half a centimeter thick. It has two parts, a cover and a hollow space. The cover of the theca slides open to reveal the hollow part where the relics are placed. The two parts are secured by means of a screw but the relics inside are still visible through the glass covered holes at the reverse side of the crucifix.
THE RELIC OF ST. THERESE – The small relic of St. Thérèse is a first class relic since it contains ashes of the saint. It is visible through the hole at the top cross bar of the theca. The inscription “S.Theres J.Inf.”, the Latin abbreviation for St. Thérèse of the Infant Jesus, visible at the horizontal holes of the theca, identify this relic.
THE RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS - At the center of the theca is a circular hole where two tiny wood splinters in the form of a cross are visible. This is the first class relic of the True Cross and is identified by the inscription “S.S.Crucis D.N.J.C”, the Latin abbreviation for the Most Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, visible at the vertical hole of the theca.
The mark of authenticity for these relics is the unbroken red wax seal of the Vicariato di Roma that holds them together.
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