The following comes from a November 5 posting on the L.A. Times.
Parishioners at Mission San Buenaventura were stunned by their pastor’s announcement at Sunday Mass: Someone had stolen relics from the 230-year-old mission, including two bone fragments from California mission pioneer Junipero Serra and two from St. Bonaventure, the mission’s patron saint.
In all, nine items were missing, most of them scooped out of a shadow box that had been mounted on the wall of the church’s baptistery, a room set apart for baptisms and, at San Buenaventura, normally entered just twice a month.
A man in Ventura County Jail on other charges has admitted taking the items, police said.
None have been recovered. The relics were discovered missing on Saturday but surveillance videos showed they were stolen last month.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, “probably didn’t know what he was dealing with,” said Father Tom Elewaut, the church’s pastor. “They don’t have much of a street value.”
The tiny bone chips, traditional relics in Catholic churches, were set in ornate medallions. Though the collection was meant to be visible through the baptistery’s padlocked iron gates, church officials mistakenly thought the gates were secure….
Church officials have checked with local pawnshops but come up dry. Police said they were following leads provided by the suspect.
In addition to the relics of Serra and St. Bonaventure, other missing relics were of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Bernard, St. Catherine Laboure and St. Jude Thaddeus.
To read entire posting, click here.
As someone who visits this historic mission, established by the great Padre Junipero Serra himself, a couple of times a week and has gone to Mass there as a visitor for many years, I was heartbroken to learn about these outrageous crimes. I’ve been told that 8 of the 9 relics stolen have now been returned. You can understand why doors are locked these days in Catholic churches, which was unheard of until recent years. It is just so sad . . . the world is just not what it used to be. As someone now nearing 70, I can tell you that while we have made remarkable progress technologically speaking during my lifetime, what we have lost in terms of trusting and believing in our fellow man was far more precious. One of the many reasons my friends tell me they go to church is to be around good people. What a heartbreak stories like these are for people who really care about these relics and appreciate being among people whom we can trust to treasure them too. Our levels of security must go ever higher in this day and age, which is a tragedy but important to realize as these precious relics must be guarded and protected so carefully on our watch.
Most of them probably voted for the Obamanation, so why should they be shocked?
Viva Cristo Rey!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Kenneth, as you very well know, we are called to love our enemies. tsk tsk
Per the Ventura County Star this morning, all but one of the relics have been recovered and returned to the Mission.
Thank you. That is comforting to know. However, all they need is one relic for Satanic rituals. I know, I was at the center of the main West Coast satanic community and I can testify, before God, that it is all real. Please pray for the recovery of the remaining relic.
satanic rituals?
they have no power at all, especially compared to the risen and glorified CHRIST who is LORD of all and is present when two or more believers gather in HIS name.
these nutcases may steal consecrated HOSTS, and relics, and vandalize churches, but they have no power over GOD, his SON, the HOLY SPIRIT, and the people who bear the name CHRISTIAN.
we need to protect our holy places, and take precaustions that the BLESSED SACRAMENT is not desecrated, but if such a terrible thing should happen, the sin is on the perpetrator and cannot harm GOD.
HE’s bigger than these loonies — and has been in charge a lot longer than they’ve been alive!!!
BLESSED Serra was beatified in 1988, not that the LA Times wants to admit that, or even knows.
Wow another story of more relics being stolen….I recall this happened not too long ago.
For those who love the Latin Mass, the San Buenaventura Mission (more commonly known as the Ventura Mission) offers Latin Mass and is an active parish with an active school. Visitors to this vibrant mission in this old-fashioned seaside community are somtimes surprised to discover the small but fascinating museum adjoining the mission’s appealing gift shop, as well as the delightful Museum of Ventura County, filled with everything from historical artifacts to remarkably good art produced in Ventura, often described as “the poor man’s Santa Barbara.” Despite being surrounded by excellent eateries and hidden historical gems, the mood of the mission is still a serenely spiritual place to worship and as well as a welcoming point of historical interest to the visiting public.
You make me wish I were there, Maryanne. Sounds just great!!
Maybe some of the local radical loonies have declared these saints to have been bigots and against Inclusion of same sex marriage pretenders into the fabric of society.