A Guide to Relic-Shrines on Oahu

The veneration of Saints and their Sacred Relics is an ancient and spiritually beneficial practice in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.  This author, after having been closely involved with this devotion for 30+ years, can readily witness to the effective intercessory power of our Saints ... but rather than taking my word for it, read what an officially-recognized holy mystic - Bl. Anna Katharina Emmerick, a 19th century German nun and stigmatic - had to say about Saints and Relics.  Through a singular divine gift she could discern the validity of genuine relics and envisioned the impact this devotion had upon the Faithful ...

  "I saw how they (relics) once shone with light, how they shed around like benediction, but their veneration ceased with the decline of the Church. The churches erected over them are dark and desolate, the Saints under them are no longer honored.  I saw that their veneration and that of their relics had decreased in the same measure as the adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and then I was shone how evil a thing it is to receive the Holy Eucharist through mere habit.  Grievous sufferings were imposed upon me for this contempt.  In the spiritual Church I saw the value and efficacy of the holy relics now so little regarded on earth."

Bl. Anna Katharina continued ...

  "After this I saw multitudes of well-dressed people thronging around the church with marks of deep veneration.  They wore the various costumes of their times; of the present day, I saw but a few. They were people who honored the Saints and the relics as they ought to be honored, as members of the Body of Jesus Christ, as holy vessels of divine grace through Jesus, in Jesus.  On them I saw falling like a celestial dew the beneficent influence of those saints; prosperity crowned all their undertakings."

Enlightening words from one of the greatest visionary prophets in the history of the Church!  Note how the Blessed lamented the decline of reverence towards Saints/Relics.  In fact, she also once stated, "I have been told that the recognizing of relics has never been bestowed upon anyone in the same degree as God has given it to me, and this on account of being so sadly neglected, and because their veneration is to be revived."

For me, personally, I've never seen any luminosity pertaining to relics, but I have in their vicinity, sensed the tangible presence of Saints; smelt floral fragrances; witnessed escarchas appear; experienced multiple healings and saw others cured, too; and have had many prayers answered.  Consequently, I do believe Bl. Anna Katharina's mystical insights into the heavenly blessings emanating from the hallowed remains of our holy role-models.

So, to help foster and rekindle devotion to Saints/Relics, this ministry decided to compile a list of Oahu churches that have a relic(s) on display for public veneration.  The following parishes, as far as I am aware, have relics:

+ St. Ann Church, Kaneohe

This church, near the Windward Mall, has a 1st Class Relic of St. Damien of Molokai.  A small reliquary, enclosing what this blogger recalls is hair from the Saint, is present in the church vestibule/lobby, on the right wall, as one walks in.

+ St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua

Another windward parish, a shrine in the Lanikai wing, inside of the main church, holds a bone-relic of St. Anthony of Padua and koa wood from St. Damien's original coffin.  A candle stand is also situated at the shrine for those wanting to light votive candles (a minimum donation for candles is appreciated).

+ St. Augustine by the Sea Church, Waikiki

This church, in the heart of Waikiki, has the "Damien Museum" adjacent to it.  Various relics of our Saint, including 1st Class Relics from St. Damien's hair, are displayed.  A short, informative video about the life and legacy of Fr. Damien may also be viewed in the museum.  In addition, various shrines (e.g. Our Lady of Fatima) are in the church, itself, where candles may be lit.

+ Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

This mother-church of the Honolulu Diocese proudly houses the full bodily remains of St. Marianne Cope, and a heel-bone of St. Damien of Molokai.  Situated to the left of the Sanctuary, in a dedicated prayer space, two large reliquaries are surrounded by three votive candle stands for visitors to utilize.  Candles are available for $2 each from the Welcome Table near the side-entrance facing Beretania Street.

What may also be of interest are unusual images on a pillar, to the right of the Sanctuary, resembling figures of the Madonna and Christ Child, and the Holy Face of Jesus.

+ St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea

Near the Aloha Stadium, this church displays a reliquary-shrine with a 2nd Class Relic from St. Damien's original wooden coffin.  Located in the vestibule, to the left, as one walks in, is a small shrine where devotees can also obtain and light votive candles near the relic.

+ St. George Church, Waimanalo

Also a windward parish, this church has a reliquary-shrine near the Sanctuary to the right. In it are displayed 1st Class Relics from St. George Martyr (bone) and St. Damien of Molokai (hair strand), along with a memorial stone of St. Lorenzo Ruiz from the actual site of his martyrdom in Japan.

+ Holy Trinity Church, Kuliou'ou

Located near the bustling town of Hawaii Kai, this church has a reliquary-shrine in its vestibule housing at least 18 relics acquired by its priest.  Among the many Saints represented are St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. John Vianney, and St. Catherine (I am uncertain as to which "Catherine").

+ Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Pearl City

Located in the hills above Pearl City, this church maintains a reliquary-chapel where a 2nd Class Relic of St. Damien of Molokai is displayed and venerated.

Of greater importance is the parish's beautiful Perpetual Adoration Chapel where our Eucharistic Lord can be viewed and worshipped 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

+ Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Honolulu

Just a couple of blocks from Ala Moana Shopping Center, this parish has a vibrant shrine within its church that's located to the right of the altar.  There, one can venerate four Saints through bone-relics of the great Apostles - Sts. Peter and Paul; soil taken from within the Kalaupapa grave of St. Marianne Cope; and wood from St. Damien's original coffin.  Votive candles may also be lit for a minimal donation.

+ St. Pius X Church, Manoa

To the left of this church's Sanctuary, directly under a large relief sculpture of Pope St. Pius X, a glass-fronted rectangular case holds a relic of the Saint.  This blogger has seen the reliquary in-person, but the relic itself was wrapped in fabric; a parishioner told me it's a bodily relic of the Pope.

+ Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Orthodox Church, Kailua

     

Although not a Catholic Church, this quaint little church in Kailua is worth mentioning.  It has custody of many 1st Class Relics, including certain Saints our two denominations commonly venerate (e.g. St. Barbara the Martyr, St. George the Martyr, St. Patrick, and even from the True Cross of Jesus).  Some of the relics are publicly displayed on the walls (embedded in icons), while others are only displayed during applicable Feast Days.

Also of interest is an icon of the Theotokos of Iveron that has been inexplicably "streaming" a curative rose-scented "myrrh" for over a decade now.  The Russian Orthodox Church has officially deemed it a miracle ... and this very icon may be viewed and touched in its special shrine to the front-left of the church, during their liturgy and prayer services (this writer has personally venerated it many times while praying Vespers with the congregation).  Candles are available for purchase in their gift shop and may be lit at several votive candle holders.

Footage of the Iveron Icon dripping

myrrh, as filmed by this blogger.

Please be advised that one should dress more conservatively when visiting this church, in keeping with the congregation's traditions (e.g. the women wear veils and dresses; no one wears short pants).  For more information about the Hawaiian myrrh-streaming Theotokos of Iveron, click here .

** NOTE:  The Roman Catholic Church does not forbid its members from visiting Orthodox churches and/or praying with our Orthodox brethren - refer to this link on EWTN.

Bl. Anna Katharina Emmerick of

Dulmen, Mystic & Stigmatic

Study our Saints and honor them; allow their faith-examples to lead you closer to Jesus and enrich your own faith.  I close this post with two more intriguing remarks made by Bl. Anna Katharina: 

  "I see the blessing and the blessed object endowed with a healing and helping power.  I see them as luminous and radiating light; while evil, crime, and malediction appear before me as darkness radiating darkness and working destruction ..."

And this ...

  "I saw these neglected treasures confer blessings wherever they lie and ward off satan's influences.  I have seen certain places preserved from serious calamities by them while others of recent date suffered severely, because possessing nothing of the kind."