When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Sacred-Relics…for over 27 years, your trusted source for Authentic Roman Catholic Relics and European Spiritual Antiques.
Free priority shipping in the USA!
Vatican Reliquary TRUE CROSS JESUS + COA Document 1840 Bible CATHOLIC RELIC Icon
SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC OR PRIVATE VENERATION.
From the former collection of a beloved 20th century French Archbishop, I offer for your consideration an incredible Ist cIass relic of Our Lord’s Passion, a piece of the actual wood of the True Cross he was crucified on, accompanied by it’s authenticate certificate, dated 1840, and issued by the Archbishop of Camarino, Nicola Mattei Baldini (1780–1843).
Across the document is found: "NICOLAUS EX COMITIBUS MATTEI", a Latin phrase that translates to "Nicholas of the Counts of Mattei" (in Italian, Niccolò dei Conti Mattei).
In historical and ecclesiastical records, this designation specifically refers to Archbishop Nicola Mattei Baldini (1780–1843), a prominent Italian Catholic prelate.
Camarino, which was part of the Vatican city states, found just east of Rome.
The sacred relic is housed in a European made glass dome shrine, which both protects the True Cross relic, and also allows it to be viewed from various angles.
The reliquary is labeled:
“Ex Lignum Sanctae Crucis D.N.I.C” translated as “from the wood of the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ”.
(D.N.I.C. - Latin abbreviation for Dominus Nostra Iesu Christi, there is no J in Latin and it is substituted with an I)
Surrounding the relic on the inside sides of the reliquary, one sees real gold threaded ribbon used as decoration. Wow!
The reliquary measures:
1 1/4” x 1” x 1/2”
The quality European glass dome display case measures 5” x 3 1/2” and comes complete with its solid hardwood base.
The document is dated 1840, and measures:
16” x 11 1/4”
The document is written in Latin and is printed on linen parchment. It translates into English as:
“We give our faith and witness to all and sundry who will inspect our present letters, that we have given as a gift the greater glory of Almighty God and the veneration of His Saints, and that we have acknowledged that the sacred particles of wood from the Cross of the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, extracted from authentic places, legitimately recognized and reverently placed in a golden container in an oval shape, the front part protected by crystal, well closed and tied with a silk cord of a red color and sealed with our seal, with the power to keep it with us, to give it to others, and to display and place it in any Church, Oratory, or Chapel for the public veneration of the Faithful. In whose faith we have ordered these testimonial letters, signed by our hand and protected by our seal, to be sent by our undersigned Secretary. Dated at Camerino, 1840”
The red wax seal on the relic is a perfect match to the second raised seal on the left side of the certificate.
Above the second seal is some Latin writing mentioning the month of September. The relic was officially opened for a probable repair or to collect a piece of the relic, and resealed by a Cardinal.
This is totally normal and expected, and a sign of authenticity.
The red silk threads are perfect and intact, secured by the red wax seal, ensuring the validity of the relic, and preventing tampering.
The certificate describes the reliquary as golden and oval. This is a brass reliquary that was once plated in gold, a remnant of which can be found under the bail. The brass has darkened over the years but could be polished carefully.
*This Relic and certificate were once part of the collection of a beloved 20th century French archbishop.
He was well known for his private relic and reliquary collection. I acquired this from his estate decades ago.
His name, photo, cost of arms and biography will be provided to the relic’s new custodian.
Free Priority Shipping in the Unites States.
I am a well known expert in the field of relic study. Feel free to contact me with an item number, and I will offer you my humble opinion as to its authenticity. The Internet is awash with counterfeit and fake relics…Please be careful.
This relic is a sacred item of Roman Catholic devotion containing holy objects associated with Jesus. It consists of splinters of wood. It does not contain anything considered protected.
The complete list of materials present is:
Wood, tin, paper, silk, glass, glue, wax and ink.
About me:
After my retirement, I had to downsize, and I no longer have the luxury of having an entire chapel in my home to display and store my collection. This relic is one of my treasures. I do not have room to display it, and I have stored this relic in a bank safety deposit box as I live in a possible flood zone. I've realized it's now time for others to become the guardians of these holy relics, and venerate them properly.
I guarantee this relic to be authentic and as described. Buy with confidence!
I have been an seller for 25+ years + 100% positive response
Please use caution when buying relics on line.
Counterfeit Relics are increasingly more and more common.
I have been collecting Relics and reliquaries for two decades. I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the field. I will happily have a look at any sale and let you if I feel the relic authentic. i.e. There is no such thing as an authentic "tube" reliquary, nor are ANY relics of John Paul, Edith Stein, St. Faustina. the Shroud of Turin, Padre Pio authentic...they are all counterfeit, guaranteed. If it is too good to be true...it is...
About FAKE or COUNTERFEIT RELICS
I am more and more distressed to see blatantly fake relics for sale on . It is a disgrace. Besides being dishonest, it is a shame to take advantage of people's religion to rip then off and make a buck...or euro. I have been a collector of relics for 35+ years, and am considered an expert. I would be glad to have a look at any relic you are thinking about...just send me the item number and I will give you my opinion. Remember, if it is too good to be true, it is!
For example:
-there is NO SUCH THING AS A TUBE RELIQUARY! All tube relics are counterfeit.
-Most of the folded paper relics are counterfeit.
-ANY certificate or wax seal with the Papal insignia of the crossed keys of St. Peter are counterfeit. The pope has better things to do than issue relics…all relics in the Vatican are ONLY issued by the Papal Custodian of relics, or individual Bishops/Cardinals. NEVER by ANY Pope.
I have never seen an authentic l st class relic of the following on the internet...they are all counterfeit, I guarantee:
- Pope John Paul 2
- Mother Theresa
- Edith Stein
- Padre Pio
- Max. Kolbe
- Faustina Kowalska
- Kateri Tekakwitha
- the blood of Christ
My cousin, a parish priest, and the pastor of his church, along with his bishop, have tried for years
to obtain a first class relic of Saint John Paul 2...to no avail, yet there always
seems to be many available on ....please beware!!
If it is too good to be true, IT IS!!!
