The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1903-06-13
ARE BEYOND PRICE
RELICS OF THE CROSS OF NAzAR'
ETH IN AMERICA.
WelI-Auth enticatcd Fragment Is in the
Cathedral at New York-Archbishop
RYAN Tells of Pains Taken to lnves-
tigate Relics.

That well-authenticated relics of the
true cross Of Nazareth are treasured in
New York is not generally known. 1t
is. however, a fact. The cathedral au-
thorities have long possessed one of
the largest pieces of the true cross in
this country. 1t is a mere splinter, not
much larger than a cabric needle.
In speaking of the matter Rev. DR..
Lavelle, pastor of the cathedral, said:
when Mark Twain, in his limo
cents Abroad made the assertion that
he had found enough relics of the true
cross to build a ship, he made most
ridiculous blunder and betrayed an al
most objectionable ignorance"
The reliquary which holds these sa-
cred relics is usually from II to IL
inches high. The precious specimen is
rarely more than mere thread or
wood. It is placed in a large ostensor-
Jun, in order that the multitude may,
on occasions when the relic is dis
PLAYED, be able to distinguish it's posi-
ton upon the altar.
The relic which the cathedral cher
fishes was brought to this country by
Cardinal McCloskey. Before this one
or the other priests had, as his private
possession, small relic of the cross.
Archbishop Hughes also possessed one
of these tiny treasures. The relic at
the cathedral is incased in costly
jewel studded reliquary, standing
about IA inches high. 1t shows an
cient Roman repousse work in gold
and silver. 1t is brilliant with dla-
monds and sapphires.
In the center of this ostensorium is
a small medallion, covered with bev-
eled crystal and showing beneath an
ivory cross of exquisite workmanship.
Set in the center of this is the relic
Iof the cross of Nazareth.
! Cardinal Gibbons has a piece of the
true cross in his pectoral cross. Upon
being requested to give his opinion as
to the authenticity of these relics of
the passion, he replied:
"As far as we can judge, we have
every reason to believe in the genu-
ineness of the relics which are pre-
served in Rome, particles OF which
have been distributed in almost every
part OF the Christian world. Arch
bishop Ryan, who has gone more deep:
~ into the study OF this subject than
any other prelate in this country, has
said:
Every Christian, of no matter
what creed, can appreciate the venera-
hioh tho rn1iPC
Savior Even as the patriot preserves
souvenirs of heroes, so have the Chris
tians in all countries held in rever-
ence relics of the NaZarene.
1.-The true cross has been an object
of especial generation ever since its
discovery, in the year 326, by Empress
Helena. Many pieces of it have been
distributed among the faithful, but
these have not been larger than a
small strand of hair. Thus a small
piece of the wood affords thousands
of relics.
"'There is congregation of canons
appointed to investigate sacred relics
and authenticate them. 1t is one of the
most difficult things in the world to
obtain such Authorization. The seal
of the church is never given to doubt
full relics. There are, however,
great many duly authenticated rel
ics.'"
Archbishop Ryan has small por-
Ition Of the true cross. The Francis
eans in New York have relic Of the
cross in small silver case, which is
kept in the part of the monastery re-
served to the monks.
The abbey of Gethsemane, in Ken
lucky, treasures as it's most valued
possession a relic of the cross. Two
splinters are laid in cruciform on an
ivory disk. This is covered with
crystal and placed in the head OF
crosier. This pastoral staff was the
life work of Trappist monk at the
abbey.