What Is It?

For some time Ann has been listed in the “Maloney’s Antiques and Collectibles Resource Directory” as a resource person who will try and help people identify old Catholic religious articles. She found out about many of the little known sacramentals during her research for the Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotion and for the How To Book of Sacramentals. If you have a Catholic sacramental which you cannot identify, maybe Ann can help. E-mail her your question along with a photo. Many of these items are of interest to all and will be posted here.

1920's Last Rites Box

Q: A friend of mine has this old religious article, which he calls a Catholic Last Rites Wall Hanging. He thinks his father bought it back in the 1920s, and asked me if I could find out something about it. What is it? Does it have any collectible value, and if so roughly how much?

A: No one likes to be "not ready" for death. For Catholics, there is an anointing of the sick and the anointing when the person was just about to die was called extreme unction or last rites. Just in case the priest had to be called in a hurry to someone's home where a family member was dying (and back then most people did die at home) the family wanted to have on hand all that he would need. Some enterprising companies made "kits" to be kept in the home in this case. The kits usually contained two candles, the holy oils, a crucifix, and sometimes an additional item or two. These kits came in decorative wall boxes such as your friend has and, later, in a wooden crucifix box that had a lid that could be removed and had the candles and oils inside.

I do not give monetary valuations; I only attempt to help people know what they have. The box is definitely collectible and does have value. I believe you can find some prices on those which are shown for sale on the internet.

Relic of the Holy Face

Q: I found this old picture. Can you tell me what it is and why it has that red seal on it?

A: That is a picture of the relic known as the Vera Icon, or Veronica’s veil which is in Rome. The seal is to certify that the print has been touched to the relic.