Reliquary with important relic of St. Simplicius of Rome, Martyr (brother of SS. Faustinus & Beatrix)

A rectangular glass-fronted brass box reliquary housing substantial ex ossibus (bone) relic of Saint Simplicius of Rome. The relic comprised of an intact bone is affixed to the ground of silk and identified in Latin on manuscript cedula label as S. Simplicii Mart. (Saint Simplicius, Martyr). On its back, the reliquary is secured by two seals of red Spanish wax with an imprint of a coat of arms of Cardinal Augusto Theodoli (†1892) Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria della Scala in Rome (1886–1892).

Saint Simplicius of Rome († c. 303) was a Roman Christian and brother of Saints Faustinus and Beatrix (Beatrice). He was arrested with Faustinus during the Diocletian persecution. The two brothers endured cruel tortures, including savage beatings with clubs, for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods. They were finally beheaded; their bodies were thrown into the Tiber River. Their sister Beatrix recovered and buried them honorably before her own martyrdom. Her Feast Day is commemorated on 29 July.