CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Just days after Easter and celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, the faithful have the opportunity to venerate the sacred remains of the Church’s heroes with the Treasures of the Church exposition travels through West Virginia.
Father Carlos Martins returns this April with an exhibit of more than 150 relics of saints canonized by the Catholic Church. It’s highlighted by one of the largest remaining relics of the True Cross in the world, as well as a piece of the veil that is believed to have belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary.Father Martins, CC, a Custos Reliquiarum (ecclesiastically-appointed curate of relics), begins each exposition with a 60-minute presentation and teaching on relics which provides the catechetical and spiritual basis for the Walk with the Saints that follows the talk. The point of the teaching is the presentation of the basic Gospel message of Jesus Christ: that God is here right now and wants to be encountered; He touches us through the lives and the sacred remains of His saints.
“God never disappoints … he always ‘shows up,’” said Fr. Martins. “There are healings at every exposition. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, have been reported to me. Spectacular ones. Attendees have reported cancer, heart disease, tumors, osteoporosis, physical deformities, etc., disappear immediately and completely.” Though a great number of miracles have been physical (his website lists a sample of these), he admits that the most spectacular is the healing of faith where a new and deeper relationship with God and His saints are formed in the faithful. “It is a most wonderful thing to see a parish, school, or prison renewed after an exposition. That is the basis for this ministry’s existence.”
Organizers said standing-room-only crowds are typical at each location Fr. Martin visits.
“Many who attend the expositions experience a renewal of faith and are deeply moved by their encounters with these treasures of the Church,” remarks Cardinal Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, who has had over 50 expositions in his diocese alone, adds, “As models and intercessors, the saints are our benefactors, aiding us with the example of their lives and by their prayers, something that Fr. Martins has worked hard to instill in every Catholic.”Since converting from atheism 18 years ago, Father Martins has amassed a collection of relics numbering several thousand through his ministry Treasures of the Church. He tours the world with the collection that includes St. Maria Goretti, St. Therese of Lisieux (the “Little Flower”), St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Ignatius Loyola, and St. Faustina Kowalska. Admission is free.
The locations and times of the scheduled expositions are as follows:
April 15 — 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Thomas, 304-463-4488April 16 — 7 p.m. at St. Brendan Church, Elkins, (304) 636-0546April 17 —7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Clarksburg, 304-622-8243
April 18 — 6:15 pm (following the 5:00 pm Mass), St. John University Parish, Morgantown, 304-296-8231
April 19 — 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, Weirton, 304-723-2054
April 20 — 7 p.m. at St. Michael Church, Wheeling, 304-242-1560
April 21 — 7 p.m at St. John the Evangelist Church, Bellaire, Ohio, 740-676-0051
Visit www.treasuresofthechurch.com for listings of expositions. Pastors and principals can submit requests for expositions via the web site.