1990 Documented reliquary with relics of 6 Passionist Blesseds: BB. Bernardo Maria of Jesus, Pio Campidelli, Domenic Barberi, Isidore de Loor, St. Charles Houben & Lorenzo Salvi
Round glass-fronted yellow-metal reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of six Passionist Blesseds: Blessed Bernardo Maria of Jesus (Silvestrelli), Blessed Pio Campidelli, Blessed Domenic Barberi, Blessed Isidore de Loor, Saint Charles Houben, and Blessed Lorenzo Salvi. The relics are affixed to a red silk ground surrounded by silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on typeset cedulae labels. On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (commonly known as the Passionists), The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued in 1990 by the Postulator General of the Order responsible for the cause of beatification and canonization.
Blessed Bernardo Maria of Jesus, C.P. (†1911), born Cesare Silvestrelli to a noble family, was an Italian Passionist priest. He joined the Passionists in 1854, professed vows in 1857 alongside St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and was ordained a priest. Elected Superior General multiple times (1878–1907), he renewed the congregation, expanded missions worldwide, and promoted fidelity to its founding spirit. He was renowned for holiness, humility, and prayer. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 16 October 1988. His feast is 9 December.
Blessed Pio Campidelli (†1889) was a Passionist clerical student who entered the Passionists at age 14, receiving the name Pius of Saint Aloysius. Known for his deep prayer, obedience, joy, and devotion to Christ’s Passion, he advanced in studies but contracted tuberculosis before ordination. He offered his suffering for the Church and his troubled region, dying at 21. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 17 November 1985. His feast is 3 November.
Blessed Dominic Barberi, C.P. (†1849) was an Italian Passionist priest and theologian renowned for his missionary work in England. Born to a poor farming family and orphaned young, he joined the Passionists in 1814. Despite poor health and anti-Catholic prejudice, he established the first Passionist foundation in England in 1842. A humble, zealous preacher devoted to Christ’s Passion, he received John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church in 1845. Pope Paul VI beatified him on 27 October 1963. His feast is 26 August.
Blessed Isidore de Loor, C.P. (†1916), also known as Isidore of Saint Joseph, was a Belgian Passionist lay brother. Born to a devout farming family, he worked the land before entering the Passionists in 1907 at age 26. A quiet, cheerful religious, he served humbly as gardener, cook, and porter. Diagnosed with cancer, he endured intense suffering during World War I without complaint, offering it in union with Christ’s Passion. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 30 September 1984. He is patron of cancer patients.
Saint Charles Houben, C.P. (†1893), known as Charles of Mount Argus, was a Dutch Passionist priest famous for his ministry in Ireland. Born to a poor family, he joined the Passionists in Belgium in 1845. Ordained in 1850, he worked in England then transferred to Mount Argus, Dublin, in 1857. Shy and limited in English, he excelled in the confessional, spiritual direction, and comforting the sick, gaining a reputation for miraculous healings. He was beatified in 1988 by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on 3 June 2007. His feast is 5 January.
Blessed Lorenzo Salvi, C.P. (†1856), also known as Lorenzo Maria of Saint Francis Xavier, was an Italian Passionist priest. Born in Rome, he entered the Passionists in 1801, professed vows in 1802, and was ordained in 1805. Napoleon’s suppression of religious houses scattered the community, but he returned to preach missions, promote devotion to the Passion of Christ, and especially the Infant Jesus. A gifted preacher, spiritual director, and superior, he lived humbly amid political turmoil. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 1 October 1989. His feast is 12 June.