Sacred Relics: Walk with the Holy Family in Rome

If you are unable to pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you can still venerate relics from the life of Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph in Rome!

The first disciples of Jesus would have naturally collaborated to make sure these sacred mementos from His life were preserved and looked after. Most of these relics were either brought to Rome as gifts to different popes over the centuries, or sought after by Christian emperors—like Constantine—who first legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

The Manger, Holy Crib, of Jesus

Pilgrims are invited to go into the crypt under the high altar in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore to venerate pieces of the sycamore manger in which the Infant Christ slept.

In Santa Croce in Jerusalem, you can venerate fragments from the cave of Christ’s nativity.

The Clothing of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Ponder the poverty and humility of the Holy Family as you venerate the cloak of St. Joseph and the veil of Our Lady in the Basilica of Saint Anastasia at the Palatine.

The Passion Relics in Rome 

Pieces of the True Cross—discovered by St. Helen mother of Emperor Constantine—are preserved in the Basilica of the Holy Cross, along with thorns from the Crown of Thorns. Here, you'll also find the tablet that was hung on Christ’s Cross that states “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”

The towel that Jesus used to wipe the feet of the apostles during the Last Supper is preserved in Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

Near San Giovanni Laterano, pilgrims also can walk on their knees upon "The Holy Stairs"—the same steps that Jesus tread as he approached his judgment from Pontius Pilate in Scala Santa.

The Pillar from the scourging of Jesus is preserved in one of the oldest churches in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Prassede.

In the Basilica of St. Peter, there is a piece of the lance that St. Longinus (the Roman soldier) used to pierce the side of Jesus as he hung on the Cross, through which blood and water gushed forth.