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All the United States Ohio Maria Stein Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics
AO Edited

Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics

One of the largest collections of holy relics in the country.

Maria Stein, Ohio

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Madiha Bataineh
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The Maria Stein Convent.   Wiki CC
The chapel from the inside.   Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics
St. Victoria in the altar at the Relics Chapel.   Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics
Displays of religious items, including many made at the Convent.   Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics
Thomas Aquinas relic   Rick Sheridan / Atlas Obscura User
Padre Pio relic   Rick Sheridan / Atlas Obscura User
Maria Stein grotto   Rick Sheridan / Atlas Obscura User
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The Maria Stein Shrine of Holy Relics is the second-largest collection of relics in the United States. It was founded in 1875 by Father J. M. Gartner, who entrusted his collection of relics to the Sisters at Maria Stein.

When news of the relics spread, pilgrims began to arrive by the hundreds to venerate them, and there was a need for a larger convent. In 1892, two chapels were dedicated to the relics: the adoration chapel, and the relic chapel. With 1,100 relics—of which 95 percent are “first class relics” (from the body of the saint, usually part of a bone)—the Maria Stein Convent was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The convent includes second-class relics (clothes and items that the saint used), and third-class relics ( things that a saint touched) as well. 

In addition to the permanent holy relics display, the shrine features a diverse store of expositions, which change annually and may include exhibits of the homes of the region, lace making, presentations by local artists and craftspeople, and a quilt collection.

Down a path from the main buildings of the shrine is a tiny church referred to as the "Chapel in the Woods," in which there is an altar, edged by angel-shaped lamps, depicting the damned writhing in flames. For over a century, Maria Stein Shrine has been the destination of devout pilgrims who have come by the thousands from all over the world.

Related Tags

Religion Saints Relics And Reliquaries Relics Architectural Oddities Sacred Spaces Architecture

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Added By

Madiha Bataineh

Edited By

joro, hxgabbard, Rick Sheridan

  • joro
  • hxgabbard
  • Rick Sheridan

Published

November 4, 2010

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Sources
  • Wikipedia: Shrine of the Holy Relics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_the_Holy_Relics
  • Ohio Traveler: Maria Stein Center: http://www.ohiotraveler.com/Venue%20Files/maria_stein_center.htm
  • http://www.mariasteinshrine.org/
  • http://www.mariasteinshrine.org/
Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics
2291 St. Johns Rd.
Maria Stein, Ohio, 45860
United States
40.415402, -84.475962
Visit Website
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