Small oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing a relic of Saint John Francis Regis. The relic is affixed to a silk ground surrounded by silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as S. Jo. Fr. Reg. (Saint John Francis Regis). On the back, under a protective cap, the theca is secured with a perfectly-preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Monsignor Costantino Patrizi Naro (†1876), Dean of the College of Cardinals and the Vicar General of the Roman Curia (1841-1876).
Saint John Francis Regis (+ 1640), was a French priest of the Society of Jesus, recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1737. A tireless preacher, Regis is best known for his work with at-risk women and orphans. He is the patron saint of lacemakers, medical social workers, and illegitimate children.