• A Brief History From Our BROCHURE
The Remembrances of the Saints
The National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics was founded in 1875 when Father J.M. Gartner entrusted his collection of relics to the Sisters at Maria Stein.
Housed in a beautiful chapel built in 1892, the collection, with over 1000 relics on display, represents the second largest collection of its type in the United States (after St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburg). The Shrine was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The primary display of relics is in an altar that was hand-carved especially for this purpose. Four beautiful stained-glass windows imported from Munich, Germany and hand- carved woodwork also adorn the Relic Chapel.
A Ministry of Service
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum and the National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics serve as the focal point for the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the early settlers to America's original frontier.
Owned and operated by The Sisters of the Precious Blood, the Museum and the Shrine exist as a part of the Sisters' overall ministry of service to the community.
Preserving a Culture for Future Generations
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum opened in 1982 and is designed to interpret the early settlement of southern Auglaize and Mercer counties in Ohio.
Settlers to this area were largely of German descent and of the Roman Catholic faith. The displays in the museum reflect their way of life in the mid to late nineteenth century.
Special attention is given to the history of the Sisters of the Precious Blood and their contribution to the cultural development of these early pioneers.
A Research Tool for Scholars
The museum is located on the second floor of the former convent building at Maria Stein Center. This structure was placed on the National register of Historic Places in 1979 as part of The Land of Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio.
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum serves as a research tool for scholars and educators. Students from Wright State University, The University of Dayton, and Capitol University have conducted research in various fields of study.
The museum's genealogical, cultural, and architectural history is of interest to visitors from throughout the world.
Special Displays
In addition to the permanent displays, the Maria Stein Heritage Museum features exhibits which change annually.
A few examples of these expositions include: early homes of the region, lace making, presentations by local artists and craftspeople, and a quilt collection.
Such exhibitions make each visit to the Maria Stein Heritage Museum a new and exciting experience.
The Remembrances of the Saints
The National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics was founded in 1875 when Father J.M. Gartner entrusted his collection of relics to the Sisters at Maria Stein.
Housed in a beautiful chapel built in 1892, the collection, with over 1000 relics on display, represents the second largest collection of its type in the United States (after St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburg). The Shrine was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The primary display of relics is in an altar that was hand-carved especially for this purpose. Four beautiful stained-glass windows imported from Munich, Germany and hand- carved woodwork also adorn the Relic Chapel.
A Ministry of Service
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum and the National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics serve as the focal point for the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the early settlers to America's original frontier.
Owned and operated by The Sisters of the Precious Blood, the Museum and the Shrine exist as a part of the Sisters' overall ministry of service to the community.
Preserving a Culture for Future Generations
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum opened in 1982 and is designed to interpret the early settlement of southern Auglaize and Mercer counties in Ohio.
Settlers to this area were largely of German descent and of the Roman Catholic faith. The displays in the museum reflect their way of life in the mid to late nineteenth century.
Special attention is given to the history of the Sisters of the Precious Blood and their contribution to the cultural development of these early pioneers.
A Research Tool for Scholars
The museum is located on the second floor of the former convent building at Maria Stein Center. This structure was placed on the National register of Historic Places in 1979 as part of The Land of Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio.
The Maria Stein Heritage Museum serves as a research tool for scholars and educators. Students from Wright State University, The University of Dayton, and Capitol University have conducted research in various fields of study.
The museum's genealogical, cultural, and architectural history is of interest to visitors from throughout the world.
Special Displays
In addition to the permanent displays, the Maria Stein Heritage Museum features exhibits which change annually.
A few examples of these expositions include: early homes of the region, lace making, presentations by local artists and craftspeople, and a quilt collection.
Such exhibitions make each visit to the Maria Stein Heritage Museum a new and exciting experience.
History of the Sisters of the Precious Blood
The Sisters of the Precious Blood came to the United States from northern Switzerland in 1844 and settled in Peru, Ohio. In 1846 the Sisters, Brothers, and Fathers of the Precious Blood came to Maria Stein. This is the site of the first permanent Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Sisters have prayed and ministered here at Maria Stein without interruption since 1846. In the early years their life was quite simple - a life of prayer and manual labor; the Sisters and Brothers did all the practical things to keep a large community flourishing which freed the Fathers to devote themselves to the spiritual care of the German speaking people of the area.
In 1923 the Motherhouse was moved to Dayton, Ohio for two main reasons. First, it had long been the desire of the Sisters to have perpetual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, but Archbishop Moeller of Cincinnati was reluctant to give his permission unless the adoration chapel would be located near a denser population area so the laity could join the Sisters for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Second, by now the Congregation had taken on a number of schools in the area and it was necessary for the Sisters to receive higher education (which they received from the University of Dayton). Dayton seemed to meet both needs.
Maria Stein remains even today a symbol for the Sisters of the Congregation's roots in perpetual adoration and simple living. A museum on the second floor of this building traces the history of the Congregation's settling in Ohio and its subsequent growth. While it is true that the number of Sisters has diminished in recent years, the over 250 members of the Congregation still maintain today that they were founded for a spirituality - Eucharistic devotion and devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus - and a remain strong in that commitment. Now ministering in varied locales and countries, they "commit [them] selves to be passionate disciples of Jesus, the Christ, as [they] dare to be a reconciling, life-giving presence in [this] fractured world" (Mission Statement of the Congregation).
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How the Sisters acquired these relics
Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner (the Missionary of the Precious Blood who brought the Sisters to America) was an ardent collector of relics. On his very first voyage to America he brought along the reliquary containing the body of St. Concordia (the largest reliquary in the bottom of the altar case housing the Fr. Brunner Collection). He was the one who was instrumental in bringing over the remains of Sts. Innocent, Cruser, and Rogatus and the body of St. Victoria. In 1845 Sisters Lucy Joos and Johanna Gruenfelder brought over the large collection of 600 relics (located in the upper part of the altar case housing the Fr. Brunner Collection) representing each of the saints on the liturgical calendar at that time and presented these to Fr. Brunner as a gift. These relics have always been at the Motherhouse of the Sisters. When they moved into a smaller building in Dayton this altar case was brought to Maria Stein and placed in the sacristy where it remained for almost a quarter of a century. With the 2002 restoration of the chapels the altar case was placed in the Sacred Heart Relic Chapel so the relics could be venerated by the many pilgrims who journey to Maria Stein Center. The majority of the relics placed in the three altars were acquired in this way. In December, 1872 Rev. J.M. Gartner was in Rome on business for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee during which time he acquired a wonderful collection of about 175 relics. He intended to distribute them among several churches when he returned to the United States, but Cardinal McCloskey of New York encouraged him to keep them together as a collection. He carried the relics to several cities for public veneration for three years. Finally, in 1875, he chose Maria Stein as the permanent home for his collection. At first the relics were kept in a small room adjacent to the Sisters' chapel (in the original building here at Maria Stein, marked by the quadrangle walls of the courtyard). Soon news of the relics spread and pilgrims began to arrive to venerate them. There was need for larger convent and chapels. On June 11, 1890 Archbishop Henry Elder laid the cornerstone and on November 22, 1892 the two chapels were dedicated: the adoration chapel under the patronage of Mary, Help of Christians and the relic chapel under the patronage of the Sacred Heart.
For over a century Maria Stein Shrine has been the destination of devout pilgrims who have come by the countless thousands from all over the world. In this veritable "holy land" people can find rest and peace, solace and prayer.
All of this rich history has only one purpose, expressed so aptly in the German inscription on the front of the Communion rail in the Sacred Heart Relic Chapel:
Gepriesen sei Gott in seinem Engel und Heiligen;
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.
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Why do we venerate saints’ relics?
From the very beginning of the Church the martyrs have been held in especially high esteem because they so perfectly conformed their life to Christ, even to death. At first it became customary to gather at a martyr's tomb for the celebration of Eucharist. Since the Eucharist memorializes Jesus' self-sacrifice, it is fitting also to remember the martyrs self-sacrifice by the celebration of this sublime sacrament. Eventually, when possible, churches were built over the tombs (St. Peter's in Rome is a well-known example). Finally, when building over a tomb was not possible, relics of the saints would be imbedded in an altar stone. It is still customary today, when possible, to place the relic of a saint beneath the altar tablet provided the relic is large enough to be recognized as a part of a human body.
The saints are those who have lived exemplary Christian lives and can serve as models of Christian virtue. The relics - especially first class relics that are of the body - are reminders that we are a sacramental Church, the body of Christ made visible. These relics are visible, tangible signs to us that we are called to lives of holiness and self-sacrifice, that we are all members of the communion of saints, and that those who have gone to heaven before us remain with us in some way and always intercede for us before God almighty. The company of saints represented by the relics in this holy chapel call us to deeper faith, greater surrender to living the gospel, and faithful practice of faith, hope, and charity. May all who come here find peace in the communion of saints.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints!
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Some facts about the Maria Stein Relics
1. The display case on the back wall of this Sacred Heart Relic Chapel includes some brief information about relics and under what circumstances a relic may be displayed for public veneration.
2. This collection includes (as of October, 2002) 945 reliquaries and 1175 relics. The single reliquary containing the most relics in the collection is #865, the large oval to the right of the St. Gaspar statue in the St. Gaspar Shrine; it contains seventy relics. This was Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner's personal reliquary.
3. 95% of the relics in the Maria Stein collection are first class relics; that is, they are from the body of the saint (usually part of a bone). Second class relics are things (e.g., clothing) that the saint used. Third class relics are things that are touched to saint or to a first class relic of a saint.
4. This is the second largest collection of relics open for veneration by the public in the United States.
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About the chapels
Romanesque in style with its great round arches and barrel vaults, these two small chapels are real jewels. Several unique features distinguish each of them.
Mary, Help of Christians Adoration Chapel. Built as the Sisters' chapel, this sacred space is marked by its simplicity (compare, for example, the stained glass windows and the wood carvings with those in the relic chapel).
The most striking features about this chapel include the double vault (highlighted by two shades of blue) and the ceiling oil painting of the chapel titular, Mary under the title Help of Christians. This painting is signed by P. Trost (Father Trost was a Missionary of the Precious Blood) and dated 1924; he included in his signature the Latin inscription Ut in omnibus hononficetur Deus! ("so that God may be glorified in all things"; 1 Peter 4:11).
The German and Latin inscription painted on the arch is translated "St. Anthony, pray for us" (St. Anthony is one of the Precious Blood Congregations' patrons) and "the blood of Jesus, [God's] son, cleanses us" (l John 1:7).
Notice how the main altar in this chapel looks cut off. The story handed down is that the altar arrived before the workers were ready to place it in chapel and the weather ruined it! These altars and the ones in the relic chapel were crafted by Schroeder Bros. of Cincinnati and are made of native quarter-cut white oak.
Color for the rose window comes from an outside window constructed behind it. The shades of yellow/gold are highlighted by the light that streams through on a bright, sunny day and reminds one of the Son of Justice to whom the adorers give honor.
The fleur-de-lis motif in the windows was chosen for the stenciling which was added below the ceiling molding during the 2002 restoration. Literally translated as "flower of the lily," it is a traditional symbol for Mary. All chapels of the Sisters of the Precious Blood have been dedicated to Mary under one of her many titles.
Some of the original double-seat pews have been maintained for their historical value. The decision to furnish with chairs rather than the pews was a practical one: because of the increased number of people using the chapels the Sisters needed to increase the seating capacity.
The original balcony/choir loft has been walled in and is now a conference room named "Sr. M. Cordelia Gast Gallery"; visitors are invited to go to the second floor to see it.
The Sacred Heart Relic Chapel. Many outstanding features contribute to the awesome beauty of this chapel, the most striking of which are its central dome with the Holy Spirit stained glass window, ornate wood carving, stained glass windows (from Munich, Germany), and, of course, the beauty of the reliquaries which bring all who come to a hushed reverence.
The oil painting on the back wall of Maria-im-Stein (Mary of the Rock) is believed to be the one the Abbot of the Benedictine Klostermariastein in Switzerland gave to Fr. Brunner before his first trip to America.
In the 2002 restoration the Fr. Brunner Collection was fittingly moved into this chapel and represents the oldest and first collection of relics placed in the Sisters' care. The three altars were constructed specifically to house the Fr. Gartner collection entrusted to the Sisters in 1875. Most striking is the glass enclosure beneath the Sacred Heart altar which contains the body of the martyr St. Victoria. The Sisters fashioned the wax body and the bejewelled clothes before the case was sealed in 1892. The rings on her fingers were placed there as acts of piety. The position of the right hand is a typical one used in ancient burial customs denoting a person of nobility; martyrs join the ranks of Christ's noble company of saints.
The red and gold stenciling in the side St. Gaspar Shrine was discovered during the 2002 restoration process when the panel of relics was removed; it is believed to be original stenciling. Conservators replicated the pattern and colors and added stenciling around the lower part of the chapel. Conservators also carefully stripped away layer upon layer of paint to discover the grapevine pattern around the windows and so this stenciling was added.
Since all the relics were removed, catalogued, cleaned, and repaired during the restoration, this was an opportune time to make some choices about the placement of relics. Matching reliquaries were placed in the altars and are believed to be the original collection. Central in this collection is the beautiful reliquary above the main altar tabernacle which contains a relic of Our Lord's true cross. The tabernacle contains two relics: one of the true cross which is used to bless pilgrims and one of St. Peregrine who is the patron of cancer patients (this latter relic is often requested by pilgrims so it is kept in the tabernacle to be handy). The relics on either side of the St. Gaspar statue are of Precious Blood patrons. The panel to the right of the center, St. Gaspar panel contains relics of beloved saints (e.g., Sts. Theresa of the Child Jesus and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque) and the large cross contains a relic of the true cross. The far right panel includes reliquaries with multiple relics. The panel immediately to the left of the center, St. Gaspar panel includes saints of the Americas.
Because of the addition of the Fr. Brunner Collection, a new relic directory had to be made because the old Directory of Relics on the back wall was not large enough to list the 600 + relics that were added. The case became the ideal place to include a brief explanation of under what circumstances relics maybe venerated and enable pilgrims to see up close documentation and seals.
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