{"product_id":"rare-antique-relic-of-saint-catherine-of-siena-19th-century-reliquary-episcopal-authentication","title":"Rare Antique Relic of Saint Catherine of Siena | 19th-Century Reliquary \u0026 Episcopal Authentication","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA rare and deeply historical Catholic relic associated with Saint Catherine of Siena, accompanied by an original 19th-century ecclesiastical authentication document.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the centre of this small devotional reliquary is a preserved fragment identified by its original label as belonging to \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Catherine of Siena (Santa Caterina da Siena)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most important mystics and saints of the Catholic Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relic is enclosed beneath glass within an ornate circular metal reliquary, surrounded by delicate gold-tone openwork and beaded decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this piece particularly remarkable is that it is accompanied by its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal ecclesiastical document\u003c\/strong\u003e, handwritten and signed in the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Latin document identifies the relic as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“ex reliquiis Sanctae Catharinae Senensis, Virginis”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand records that the relic was reverently placed in a \u003cstrong\u003eround metal theca\u003c\/strong\u003e, securely closed and sealed for ecclesiastical custody and devotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document bears the episcopal identification of \u003cstrong\u003eIgnatius Maria Sellitti, Bishop of Melfi and Rapolla\u003c\/strong\u003e, together with an embossed episcopal seal and original signatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relic itself retains its original aged appearance, with visible signs of time, patina and wear to the metal setting. The reverse of the reliquary also preserves its aged surface and markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not simply a devotional object, but a fascinating surviving piece of \u003cstrong\u003e19th-century Catholic devotional and ecclesiastical history\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving both the relic and the historical documentation connected with its custody.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSaint Catherine of Siena\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was a Dominican tertiary, mystic and influential spiritual writer. She became one of the most revered women in Christian history and was later declared a \u003cstrong\u003eDoctor of the Church\u003c\/strong\u003e by Pope Paul VI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer relics continue to be venerated in Rome and Siena, including important relics preserved in the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e✦ INCLUDED\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAntique reliquary containing the identified relic fragment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal 19th-century ecclesiastical authentication document\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal handwritten Latin identification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpiscopal seal \/ embossed seal visible on the document\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical signatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal aged metal reliquary setting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e✦ CONDITION\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliquary is offered in its \u003cstrong\u003ehistoric, unrestored condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt shows natural signs of age including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epatina;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esurface wear;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eoxidation\/discoloration;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003escratches and small imperfections;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eage-related changes to the paper and metal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original document is also naturally aged, with discoloration, folds, handling marks and signs of time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacra Relics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58647909204303,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/5556\/3855\/files\/photo_2026-09-02_20-07-13.jpg?v=1788369269","url":"https:\/\/sacrarelics.com\/products\/rare-antique-relic-of-saint-catherine-of-siena-19th-century-reliquary-episcopal-authentication","provider":"Sacra Relics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}