Relics from the Crucifixion

by James Charles Wall

Why, in 326, St. Helena could find the remains of the True CrossNotes the author of The Relics of Christ’s “It was the custom of the Jews to burn the crosses used by the Romans for the execution of malefac¬tors, but the haste observed on this occasion to get everything out of sight before the feast of the Passover readily accounts for these three crosses being thrown into the city ditch, or a hole, and buried from view, instead of the longer task of burning.”That preserved the actual crosses; memory of the events preserved their location. Disgusted with continued Christian veneration of the spot, in the year 136 the pagan Roman Emperor Hadrian erected on the crosses’ burial site a statue to Venus, hoping thereby to obliterate their memory.It didn’t work, which is why, once the Empire became Christian, the Emperor’s mother Helena went right to that spot to seek – and to find still buried there in the dry earth – the wood of the very Cross on which Christ died.The rest is history, told here in this fascinating 1910 work by the enterprising Catholic investigator J. Charles Wall, who scoured the writings of the ancients to draw forth from those pages an account of the many relics of the Passion found there by Helena and slowly dispersed throughout Christendom. Here you’ll read of the tree from which the Cross was made, as well of the Nails that bore his battered body, the Crown placed on his head, the Thorns, treasured by Christians for generations, and even the very blood of Jesus caught in vessels by those who loved Him and preserved down to this day.Too easily we skeptical moderns dismiss the authenticity of relics, particularly relics of the kinds that have often been forged. Author Wall here cites so many reliable sources about relics of Christ’s Passion that you will put down these pages with doubts about your doubts, and find in yourself a new and growing desire to look upon them yourself and to receive the many graces that – as Wall also reports here – regularly flow from them for the benefit of souls.Among the things you’ll encounter in these •The miracle that revealed to St. Helena which of the three discovered crosses was that of Jesus•The horse’s bit made from a nail of the True Cross, and the successes it brought the horse’s rider, and the Pope who swore an oath upon that very nail•The claim that there are enough relics of the cross to build a ship — and how it is easily proven outrageously false•Where, in 1492, workman accidentally discovered again the actual board on which was “King of the Jews” was written•The nails — and why there are so many in existence today•The crown of thorns, and where you can go to see one of the thorns•July 5, 1187: the tragic day that Christians lost the beam of the Cross, never to recover it again•The modest Frenchman who saved a holy nail from profanation during the French Revolution•A history of the fortunes the Crown of Thorns to those who held them, and a list of towns where thorns are found •Drawings of the spear of Longinus, and reports of its later use in battles•Relics of Jesus’s actual blood from the and why it makes sense that some still exists•The veil of Veronica, Christ’s seamless robe, and much more!

Genres: Catholic, Religion, History

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2015

Reviews

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 2015 version is a reprinting of the 1910 book in which the author covers the many relics (Cross, Nails, Crown of Thorns, Blood, The Robe, Veronica’s Veil, Shroud of Turin) and traces the history of the legends and places where these items were treasured and venerated. While acknowledging the difficulty of proving authenticity, the author points out the profound influence that these items have on the faithful.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprint of a 1910 book. Rather short for the amount of information in it, some of which is dated, however it's a good history lesson, and a lot of interesting information you've likely never heard before.

[Steve Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating study of religious relics from Christ crucifixion and the history of their origin.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting treatise on where the relics of Christ's Passion went. It's filled with little tidbits that make the history of early Christianity come to life. Did you know that Emperor Constantine had one of the Nails from Christ's Cross made into a bit for his horse?

While the book had great little gems like these and provides an extensive history lesson, the 1910 vocabulary was really starting to get to me. The book was originally written in that year, and it's a perfect example of how Victorian speech was very flowery and drawn out. While that has it's place in the English language, it makes for a distracted reading experience. I found it somewhat difficult to concentrate, but the information at the heart of the book is certainly worth pursuing!

[kesseljunkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an interesting book, but really more of a primer than a complete work of historical scholarship. Some things are revelatory, but then left dangling. There’s an honest treatment of the fact that some things are basically historical hearsay; but the author keeps moving instead of delving further into the why of the matter.

It’s clear he’s speaking to those already of the faith and isn’t intending his work to convert the doubting. That’s fine, but it limits the impact of the work. The overall feeling is that of a fun discussion with a learned friend.

[Jeremy Bonnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book that was written over 100 years ago, I found it easy to read and follow. I did have to keep reminding myself several times during the reading that back then, they didn't have the technology that we do today with which testing / dating could be done to give us more information about these relics. It is incredible that we have so many of these objects from 2000 years ago, but it's not hard to understand how it's possible, at least not to a believer. Quick, interesting read.

3.4 out of 5 stars

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like reading a doctoral thesis

This could have been a great book and invited people into further relationship with both God and the Saints- instead it was dry, uninspired and off putting. Too bad.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information, both verifiably factual and also the "legends" identified as unsubstantiated. It's an older account so it doesn't include any of the modern analysis of relics like the Shroud, but it more than makes up for it with historical information you don't often come across.

[Reynaldo Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Greatly informative and enjoyable historical accounts of relics long forgotten. Fascinating work which illustrates how far reaching Christian faith spread supported by the devotion to these instruments of our Lord's passion, death and resurrection.

[Patryk Kaczmarek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardzo ciekawa książka prezentująca wiedzę, choć na etapie początku poprzedniego wieku.

[Target242 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an update of a book originally written in 1910 regarding the many legends regarding the relics of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It includes many accounts of the history and whereabouts of these various relics associated both with the Bible and Sacred Tradition, including the cross, the nails, the crown of thorns, burial shroud etc.
It is more or less a cataloging of the various sources from which these legends (and relics) have originated. Sometimes the author will comment on the likelihood as to whether a relic could be a fake or forgery and some of the logical inconsistencies. It is dated in parts, but I find it quaint.
It is written more for Catholics and believers than skeptics, for those who doubt in the authenticity of some of these relics are not likely to be convinced by reading this book!

[robert miecznikowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding information

Relics are interesting for many reasons. Some use them as aids for prayer and others as historical items of the past. The book is full of stories that describe how many of these relics came to our attention and if they are still available for viewing. As with any history it is up to the individual to decide what he believes is the truth..