The Reality of Saints

By Daniel

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While I was raised Catholic, I have not always connected with the unique aspects of Catholic theology in my faith experience. I’ve thought saints are nice and obviously great role models, but they never struck me in the same, awe-inspiring way they do so many Catholics. Being on this trip and seeing the tombs and relics of so many of these amazing saints, people I’ve always seen as distant, historical heroes has made me recognize this aspect of theology in a much more tactile sense. The presence and reality of the saints are transmitted through their relics and I can feel their spirit and influence much more directly. It has helped me understand why Catholics not only venerate saints in the manner they do but also why relics are such an important part of the faith. They make the distant present and remind me of the faith that people had in the past.