Adopt A Relic Initiative.
Preserving Pieces of Heaven on Earth.
Welcome to the Adopt A Relic Initiative!
We are honored that you are interested in learning more about the Adopt a Relic Initiative! Our Relic Committee at St. John Gualbert’s Diocesan Relic Shrine has dedicated their time and efforts into making this webpage informative, inspiring, and helpful as you learn more about our beloved relics housed within our church’s walls. In order to fully understand the impact this relic initiative will have, we encourage you to read the entirety of this page in the hopes that you will become as excited as we are for this new chapter of relics in Buffalo.
We honor (dulia) the relics, statues, and images of the saints with a veneration that is directed toward the saints themselves, and in honoring the saints we honor Christ whose members they are (1 Cor. 12:27)
- Catholic Answers
The St. John Gualbert Diocesan Relic Shrine located in Buffalo, NY stands as a beacon of faith and devotion. Drawing pilgrims from near and far to experience a profound connection with the saints, visitors have been able to grow in their faith and deeply connect with holy men and women who have stood as pillars in our Church.
Since the shrine was dedicated in 2016 by the Diocese of Buffalo, it has remained a home to one of the most cherished and awe-inspiring collections of Christian relics in the United States and remains as the 2nd largest relic shrine in the United States. The collection was established by Father Michael Burzynski, whose vision was to create a permanent place where the faithful could come face-to-face with tangible remnants of 1st class and 2nd class relics of saints.
Within the shrine, visitors encounter a treasure trove of over 1,250+ sacred relics—fragments of bone, clothing, and personal items belonging to saints from across the centuries. These relics offer a profound opportunity for prayer, reflection, and spiritual enrichment.
The collection serves not only as a window into the rich history of Christianity but also as a source of inspiration and hope for all who come to venerate these holy men and women.
For local Buffalonians and visitors from across the globe, St. John Gualbert’s relic shrine has become a place of pilgrimage—a sanctuary where the faithful can seek healing, solace, and a deeper connection to the faith. Whether you come to honor a particular saint or to be enveloped in the peace of this sacred space, the shrine is a living testament to the enduring power of faith and the intercession of the saints.
Here, in the heart of Buffalo, the faithful continue to find spiritual renewal, making this shrine not just a physical place, but a place where the spirit is nourished and transformed. As St. John Gualbert continues to house relics from saints across the world, the shrine is also honored to give relics, who previously belonged to parishes that closed in Buffalo, a permanent home.
The relics that are housed in the shrine piece together a beautiful picture of not only local Catholic history, but also history from our Catholic faith. As the Diocese of Buffalo continues with their program, Road to Renewal, St. John Gualbert remains a place of solace and stability for parishes who are merging or closing.
Relics that have been in altars, or have had a home in one of those parishes have placed their special relics in this shrine for their parishioners to visit. The shrine contains relics from parishes locally, and those collected from sites around the world.
The Need For A Shrine
Ever since the relics were permanently placed in the shrine, they were put behind a gate due to safe keeping and preservation. This current state has made it difficult for the relics to be seen by pilgrims and visitors throughout the country. To fulfill the vision of creating a more profound and enriching pilgrimage experience, we are launching the “Adopt a Relic” Initiative.
Through this initiative, we plan to fund the display of these precious relics, enhancing the experience of all who visit the church, and provide the required security and maintenance needed. With the support of our parishioners, the Buffalo community, and generous donors from around the country, our hope is to bring these holy treasures out from behind the gates and place them on beautifully lit pillars, enclosed in protective glass. Each relic will tell its story of sanctity, martyrdom, or devotion, helping to deepen the faith of those who come to seek intercession and spiritual nourishment
About the Adopt A Relic Initiative
How This Initiative Works
St John Gualbert is offering several levels of adoption for individuals, families, or organizations to sponsor a relic or group of relics. Each donor will be associated with a specific relic, which will be displayed with a place card or plaque acknowledging their generous support.
The sponsorship levels are based on the category of relic, the size of the display, and the cost of providing the necessary lighting, glass enclosures, and signage.
Sponsors may choose to “adopt” a relic at a level that fits their ability to contribute.
FAQ’S
There are many ways to support this initiative, including spreading the word about our beautiful Diocesan Relic Shrine, visiting and touring the relics, and, most importantly, making a financial contribution to support its ongoing care and preservation. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors, whose gifts make it possible to maintain our shrine, honor the saints, and preserve this sacred place for future generations. Your support, in any form, helps us continue this important mission and share the beauty and richness of our Catholic faith with all who visit.
How can I support this initiative?
1
A Catholic relic is a sacred object associated with a saint, such as bodily remains or personal belongings, that serves as a tangible reminder of the saint’s holy life and witness to Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of venerating relics as an expression of faith and devotion. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains in paragraph 1674, the Christian faithful have long expressed their religious devotion through practices including “the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions” and other forms of piety. Catholics do not worship relics, but honor the saints they represent and seek to follow their example of holiness, love, and faithfulness to Christ. Through the veneration of relics, the faithful are reminded of the communion of saints and encouraged to grow closer to God.
What exactly is a relic?
2
No! Relics are sacred and cannot be bought or sold. The Adopt-A-Relic Initiative was established to provide a meaningful way to support the preservation of our relic collection and make the relics more accessible for public veneration. Through the various sponsorship levels, individuals and families have an opportunity to develop a deeper connection with the saints while supporting the spiritual mission of our local church. Your adoption of a relic or sponsorship at any level helps fund the ongoing care, preservation, and display of our relics, ensuring that these sacred reminders of our faith can continue to inspire and strengthen the faithful for generations to come. This initiative is not about purchasing a relic, but about helping preserve the legacy of the saints and making their witness to Christ more accessible to all.
Would I be buying a relic by participating in this initiative?
3
Can I adopt a specific relic of a saint?
4
Yes! Through our Adopt-A-Relic Initiative, you have the opportunity to sponsor a specific group of relics or an individual relic, depending on the sponsorship level selected.
If you have a particular saint in mind that you would like to sponsor or with whom you would like your name to be associated, we would be happy to discuss the available opportunities and answer any questions you may have.
For more information, please contact David Killian at 716-994-5439. We would be delighted to help you find a meaningful way to participate in this special initiative.