"I have heard that there are so many relics of the Virgin Mary's body..."


Adapted from "This Rock," magazine, September 2008, by Michelle Arnold, Quick Questions section.

QUESTION:

"I have heard that there are so many relics of the Virgin Mary's body that, put together, there would be enough bones for more than one person!

"Is this true?"

MICHELLE'S ANSWER:

"No.

"The Catholic Church has solemnly defined that the Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul, which means that there are no bones from her body available to be distributed as relics.

"The Church does believe in the value of relics though, and for reasons based on Sacred Scripture.

"A tract out - lining the Church's understanding of relics can be found on Catholic Answers' Web site ( www . catholic . com )."