By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

A relic of the true cross that has been on display in Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross for more than 200 years has been stolen.

According to The Pilot, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, the relic was on display in a reliquary embedded in the base of a crucifix in the cathedral’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It is believed to have been stolen sometime between the evening of June 30 and the morning of July 1 when it was discovered missing.

“It was clear it happened while the chapel was open,” said Father Jonathan Gaspar, co-director of the archdiocese’s Office of Worship and Spiritual Life and priest-in-residence at the cathedral. “There were no signs of breaking and entering. Someone clearly came in with the specific decision to steal the relic.”

The Boston Police Department was notified immediately and spokeswoman Jill Flynn says the investigation is ongoing.

“I ask Catholics throughout the archdiocese to pray for those involved, that this precious relic would be returned to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross where it has been enshrined and venerated for over two centuries,” Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley said.

The relic has been in the possession of the Cathedral since the 1800’s when it was given as a gift by the Cathedral’s first pastor, Father Abbe de la Poterie.

“The real sorrow for us in the archdiocese is that in addition to the spiritual significance and value of this sacred relic, there is also an historical significance,” Father Gaspar said.

Meanwhile, saddened Cathedral parishioners have been praying for the relic’s return, he told The Pilot.

“There’s also a sense of violation. All Catholics in general feel violated. We take for granted our sanctuaries are safe places.”

He added: “To think someone could come in and vandalize or destroy our sacred space brings a tremendous sense of sadness that someone would destroy a sacred space.”

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