RELIQUARY OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

This 18th-century reliquary, associated with the church of Mantua, preserves a fragment of sacred cloth mentioned as having been in contact with the Most Precious Blood of Christ . The Latin inscription attests to its connection with the wound in Christ's side, inflicted by the lance of the centurion Longinus during the Crucifixion. Mantua has claimed possession of an ampoule containing this blood since the Middle Ages, and this cloth may have been impregnated with it. Its authenticity makes it a piece of great spiritual and historical value.

The Latin inscription "De Sacro Gossipio in quo colitur Sanguine Pratiossissimo Lateris Eccl. Mantua" immediately sheds light on the nature of the relic. By breaking down the sentence:

• "De Sacro Gossipio" → This is a piece of sacred cloth (the word "gossipium" can be associated with linen or cotton).

This ancient reliquary preserves a fragment of sacred cloth, whose Latin inscription sheds light on its origin and profound meaning. The expression "De Sacro Gossipio" refers to a holy cloth, the term "gossipium" designating a fabric, often linen or cotton, which would have been used in a religious context. This word is important because it evokes the idea of ​​a cloth having absorbed or carried a sacred substance, which reinforces its venerable character.

• "in quo colitur Sanguine Pratiossissimo Lateris" → This fabric is venerated because it contains or has been in contact with the "Most Precious Blood of the Side" (a direct allusion to the wound inflicted on Jesus by the lance of the Roman soldier during the Crucifixion).

The addition of "in quo colitur Sanguine Pratiossissimo Lateris" provides a crucial clarification: this fabric is venerated for having been in contact with the Most Precious Blood of Christ , more precisely that which flowed from his side during the Crucifixion. This reference to the wound in Christ's side is not insignificant. According to the Gospel of John (19:34), a Roman soldier, traditionally identified as the centurion Longinus , pierced Christ's side with a lance after his death, and from this wound blood and water flowed, interpreted as symbols of the Eucharist and baptism. This event gave rise to a deep veneration of the Blood of Christ , which has been considered one of the most precious relics of Christianity.

• "Eccl. Mantua" → The relic is said to come from a church in Mantua, Italy.

The inscription ends with "Eccl. Mantua" , indicating that this relic is associated with a church in Mantua , Italy. This detail is of major importance because Mantua is one of the most emblematic places of the cult of the Precious Blood of Christ . According to an ancient tradition, the centurion Longinus , after having pierced the side of Christ, collected some of the sacred blood and brought it to Italy. Since the Middle Ages, the church of St. Andrew in Mantua has claimed possession of an ampoule containing this blood , discovered in the 4th century under the emperor Theodosius. This relic is exhibited during liturgical celebrations and is one of the most venerated spiritual treasures in Italy.

We are therefore faced with an object of exceptional rarity, which claims to preserve a material trace of the Blood of Christ , directly linked to one of the most striking scenes of the Passion. The wound inflicted on Christ's side by the lance of the centurion Longinus is a fundamental symbol of Christian theology, representing the ultimate sacrifice and redemption of souls. This reliquary, through its inscription and its link with the church of Mantua , is part of a long tradition of veneration of the Most Precious Blood , considered a source of divine grace. Its contents, a fragment of sacred fabric, could have been impregnated with this blood, reinforcing its spiritual importance. More than a simple object of piety, it bears witness to the perpetual quest to materialize the divine through sacred relics.

The red wax seal affixed by the Church not only guarantees the authenticity of the relic, but also that the reliquary has not been opened and that the relic has not been handled since it was closed. It thus ensures its intact preservation, providing complete certainty as to its provenance and integrity.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSIONS : 4 cm X 3.3 cm
SIZE : 1.6" X 1.3"