Q. 1. I heard that anyone can make a Third Class Relic. Is that true? If so, how is it done?

A. 1. Yes, it is true that anyone can make a Third Class Relic. In order to understand how it is done, it is necessary to understand what is a 1st and 2nd Class Relic.

A 1 st Class Relic consists of a part of the Saint, such as a bone, hair, etc..., and the instruments of Christ's Passion.

A 2 nd Class Relic consists of something that was owned by the Saint or instruments of torture that was used against a martyr.

A 3 rd Class Relic consists of something that has touched a 1 st or 2 nd Class Relic. Anyone can make their own 3 rd Class relic by touching an object (such as a piece of cloth) to a 1 st or 2 nd Class Relic, including the tomb of a Saint.

While anyone can make 3 rd Class Relics, there is no official document to support the fact that the Relic is actually a 3 rd Class Relic. When the Catholic Church produces official Relics, it also produces an Official Document that states the item is a Relic, the item usually being in a reliquary (a container that holds a relic).