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800-Year-Old Blood Relic Stuns San Francisco
9 Nov
Summary
- An 800-year-old relic, believed to contain St. Francis' blood, is on display.
- This is the first time the relic has been exhibited outside of Italy.
- The artifact is on view at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption until Nov. 28.
Christians have a unique chance to view an 800-year-old relic purported to hold the blood of St. Francis of Assisi. This artifact is on display at San Francisco's Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, marking its inaugural exhibition outside of Italy. The display runs until November 28, commemorating the 800th anniversary of the saint's passing in 1226.
The exhibition features a painted panel of St. Francis, but its centerpiece is the Bandage Relic of the Stigmata. This cloth, believed to contain the saint's blood, still exhibits a vibrant red hue after eight centuries. Its presence in San Francisco holds special significance, as the city bears the saint's name.
Experts note the enduring popularity of St. Francis, who transformed from a wealthy youth to a devoted servant of the poor and patron saint of animals. The relic is tied to the stigmata he reportedly received, mirroring Christ's crucifixion wounds, which spiritually linked him to Jesus.
Questions about relic authentication arise, as some items attributed to St. Francis have proven to be later creations. While other relics have undergone dating, the bloodstained bandage has not been scientifically tested. The reason for the blood's enduring color remains a mystery, speculated by some as miraculous, though unverified.
