Relic of cross recovered in Vermont

A splinter of wood that Catholics consider to be a relic of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and that had been stolen from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross earlier this summer, has turned up in rural Vermont, the Archdiocese of Boston and the Vermont State Police confirmed today.

The relic, one of the Archdiocese of Boston's oldest and most treasured possessions, was stolen sometime between 10 a.m. on June 30 and 8 a.m. on July 1 from the base of a crucifix that hung in the cathedral's Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

It is still not clear who stole the relic or why, and the person most likely to know has disappeared. But archdiocese officials say they are thrilled and that they will hold a special service on Wednesday to welcome the relic back to Boston.

"Our prayers have been answered," the archdiocese said in the statement.
[Source: Boston Globe]