THE ALL SAINTS RELIQUARY CHAPEL

The All Saints Reliquary Chapel was erected in 1998 and was opened the same year by the Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine. The Chapel contains 735 relics of the saints, of which 536 carry certificates of authentication. It is one of the biggest collections of relics in any one place outside of Rome.

The Reliquary Chapel can be visited each weekday after the 1pm Mass until 2.30pm, and on Sundays between 2pm and 4pm, or by arrangement with Father McGachey.

A view of the All Saints Reliquary Chapel

 Another view of the Reliquary Chapel

THE RELIQUARY OF SAINT THERESE

The Reliquary of St Therese was designed by Monsieur Dupont and crafted by Monsieur de'Have. The rose on the lid of the Reliquary is carved from an ivory billiard ball. The relic, possibly an ankle bone, was presented to Father Taylor by the Saint's sister, Mother Agnes. The reliquary was completed in October 1939.

THE RELIQUARY OF SAINT URSULA

This large relic of Saint Ursula a British princess who, in the Fifth century, fled to the Continent with eleven companions when the Saxons invaded Britain. On reaching Cologne they were martyred by the Huns. Their remains lie to this day in a chapel which miraculously escaped damage during the Second World War. A large relic of the saint was taken to India by a missionary bishop who gave a portion to Mother Ursula when she retired, in recognition of her wonderful missionary work. Her home was in Bruges and she was a friend of Monsieur Dupon who had designed nearly all of the masterpieces in the All Saints Reliquary at Carfin. Monsieur Dupon brought Mother Ursula to Carfin, and she was so impressed that she offered to part with her precious relic. "It will be the largest relic here," said Monsieur Dupon, "I propose that we make for it a copy of the famous reliquary, designed, carved and painted by the great Bruges artist, Memling." The relic is the cheek bone or mastoid, of the Saint.

THE RELIQUARY OF SAINT BARBARA

Because of the miners association with the Grotto, Father Taylor felt it necessary to obtain a relic of St. Barbara, a Fourth century saint of the near East. It was carried regularly in procession by the miners.