n Heaven and the faithful on earth help the souls in
Purgatory.

Q. 1203. How can we best honor the Saints, and where shall we learn
their virtues?
A. We can best honor the Saints by imitating their virtues, and we shall
learn their virtues from the written accounts of their lives. Among the
Saints we shall find models for every age, condition or state of life.

Q. 1204. {340} Does the first Commandment forbid us to honor relics?
A. The first Commandment does not forbid us to honor relics, because
relics are the bodies of the saints or objects directly connected with
them or with our Lord.

Q. 1205. How many kinds or classes of relics are there?
A. There are three kinds or classes of relics: (1) The body or part of
the body of a saint; (2) articles, such as clothing or books, used by
the saint; (3) articles that have touched a relic of the body or other
relic.

Q. 1206. What is there special about a relic of the true cross on which
Our Lord Died, and also about the instruments of His Passion?
A. The relics of the true Cross and relics of the thorns, nails, &c.,
used in the Passion are entitled to a very special veneration, and they
have certain privileges with regard to their use and the manner of
keeping them that other relics have not. A relic of the true Cross is
never kept or carried with other relics.

Q. 1207. What veneration does the Church permit us to give to relics?
A. The Church permits us to give relics a veneration similar to that we
give images. We do not venerate the relics for their own sake, but for
the sake of the persons they represent. The souls of canonized saints
are certainly in heaven, and we are certain that their bodies also will
be there. Therefore, we may honor their bodies because they are to be
glorified in heaven and were sanctified upon earth.

Q. 1208. What care does the Church take in the examination and
distribution of relics?
A. The Church takes the greatest care in the examination and
distribution of relics. (1) The canonization or beatification of the
person whose relic we receive must be certain; (2) the relics are sent
in sealed packets, that must be opened only by the bishop of the diocese
to which the relics are sent, and each relic or packet must be
accompanied by a document or written paper proving its genuineness; (3)
the relics cannot be exposed for public veneration until the bishop
examines them and pronounces them authentic; that is, that they are what
they are c