Many people may be surprised to know that Bandel Church possesses a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This relic is a small piece of the veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The relic is kept inside an oval brass case with a crystal front, securely tied with red silk and sealed. This case was placed at the centre of an old silver cross of artistic workmanship, which has long been preserved at Bandel Church as an object of antiquity.
Although it was known that the cross contained a relic, it could not be exposed for public veneration because the official authentication document was missing. According to Church law, a relic cannot be publicly venerated without proper proof of authenticity.
Quite recently, while examining the old belongings of Bandel Church, the original authentication document written in Latin was discovered in good condition. This document is dated 2nd February 1791 and was issued and signed by the Apostolic Nuncio at Lisbon, a representative of the Holy See.
After examining this original document, the Bishop of Mylapore officially authorised the exposition of the relic for public veneration. The original document confirms that the relic is genuine, taken from a true source, and may be kept, transferred, or exposed for public veneration in any Church, Oratory, or Chapel.
This relic stands as a precious spiritual and historical treasure of Bandel Church and a sign of its deep Marian heritage.
