Relic Descriptions

Latin Relic Descriptions

• applicasse et Lanceae Domini cuspidi - touched to the Holy Spear
• applicasse et Sudarri Veronicae - touched to the Veil of Veronica
• applicasse et vivicae Crucise - Touched to the True Cross
• arca mortuaria - mortuary box, container
• arca sepulerali - coffin
• Beatae Mariae Virginis, B.V.M. - Blessed Virgin Mary
• breviario - breviary
• coronse spinse D.N.J.C. - crown of thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• [cravio] corporis - body
• de velo - from the veil
• Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, D.N.J.C. - Our Lord Jesus Christ
• ex domo - from the house
• ex bacula - from the staff
• ex bireto - from the biretta
• ex calce sepulchri - from the cement of the tomb
• ex capillis - from the hair
• ex capsa - coffin, also see capsa funeralis
• ex carne - from the flesh
• ex cineribus - from the ashes. Same as ex exuviis
• ex coronae spinae - from the crown of thorns
• ex crinibus - from the hair
• ex crucis - from the cross
• ex cute - from the skin
• ex exuviis - from the ashes or dust of the body remaining after decomposition.
• ex Funi. Flag. - from the flagellation ropes
• ex Inncunabuli - from the swaddling clothes
• ex indumentis - from the clothing. Sometimes refers to pieces of cloth that have touched a first- or second-class relic.
• ex lanceae - from the lance
• ex ligneo pulvere, mixto pulveri corporis, quem residuum continebat prima capsa funeralis - from the remains of the wood, mixed with the dust of the body, the residue of which was contained in the first box [or sarcophagus]
• ex lignum crucis - from the wood of the cross
• ex linteo attacto ossibus - from the cloth that touched the bones (third class relic)
• ex loco Annunciationis Beatae Mariae Virginis - from the site of the annunication of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• ex ossibus - from the bones
• ex pallio - from the cloak
• ex panno a stigmatibus cruentato - from the bandage that covered the stigmatic wound
• ex pelle - from the skin
• ex pluviali - from the cope [cloak wore for Benediction]
• ex praecordis - from the stomach or intestines
• ex praesepis - birthplace of D.N.J.C.
• de pulvere corporis - from the dust of the body following decomposition
• ex pulvinari lapideo - from the stone pillow
• ex purpurae - from the purple robe
• ex sanguine - from the blood
• ex scal.Pilati - from Pilate's staircase
• ex sepulerali - coffin
• ex spongia - from the sponge
• ex sportula - from the little
• ex stipite affixionis - probably means "from the whipping post"
• ex strato - from the covering [blanket]
• ex subucula - from the tunic
• ex tegumentis - from the skin
• ex tela serica quae tetigit cor - from the silk cloth which touched the heart
• ex Titulus Crucis - from the title board of the cross
• ex tunica - from the tunic
• ex velo - of the veil
• ex veste carne imbuta - from the vestment imbued with the flesh
• ex mensae coenae D.N.J.C. - the room where the Last Supper took place
• ex sindone D.N.J.C. - from the burial shourd of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• ex sudarii - from the sudarium or face cloth

Following the name of the saint or blessed is an initial or abbreviation that speaks to the saint's or blessed's state in life.

• AP. (or A.) - Apostle
• C. - Confessor
• D. - Doctor of the Church
• D.N.J.C. - of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• E. (or Ep.) - Bishop
• E. (or Ev.) - Evangelist
• F. - Founder of Order
• Lev. - Deacon
• M. - Martyr
• Mil. - Soldier
• Poen. - Penitent
• PP. - Pope
• Sp. - Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Reg. - King or Queen
• V. - Virgin
• B.V.M. - Blessed Virgin Mary
• Vid. - Widow