A Community's Heartfelt Plea
Father Martin Diaz, a voice for the Cathedral of the Madeleine, has shared the community’s deep sense of loss. “The relic, I believe, is not recoverable. It is lost,” he said.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Efforts to recover it, including searches through local trash, have proven fruitless.
Shattered Sanctuary
The theft came to light when the church’s staff discovered the broken remains of the reliquary—the special box holding the relic—on the cathedral floor.
Source: Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City
This breach has sparked a serious conversation about the security measures safeguarding sacred items.
Disposal of the Sacred
Father Diaz offered a guess to DailyMail.com about the relic’s fate, suggesting, “The best understanding is that the person who took the relic once outside realized it was not worth anything so discarded it in a garbage bin or onto the grass.”
Source: The Cathedral of the Madeleine/Facebook
This act demonstrates
The community remains hopeful that these efforts will aid in the relic’s recovery.
a tragic misunderstanding of the relic’s true value.
Reward for Return
In an attempt to recover the stolen relic, the church has notified the police and is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to its return.
Source: The Cathedral of the Madeleine/Facebook
The community remains hopeful that these efforts will aid in the relic’s recovery.
A Century of Significance
The stolen relic has been part of the cathedral’s heritage since 1918, delicately placed within a red cloth adorned with a fleur-de-lis pattern and secured in a robust bronze and glass reliquary.
Source: Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City
The Salt Lake Tribune highlights the long-standing historical and spiritual importance of this artifact.
The Weight of Faith
Father Diaz explained to ABC 4 that moving the substantial reliquary normally requires two people.
Source: The Cathedral of the Madeleine/Facebook
He emphasized its lack of monetary value, pointing out its immeasurable spiritual significance instead.
Echoes Through the Community
The loss has deeply resonated within the local community. “In that sense, it’s both worthless and priceless at the same time,” Father Diaz said.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
His words capture the profound emotional and spiritual impact of the theft.
Legacy of Bishop Glass
Brought from France in 1918 by Bishop Joseph Glass, this relic, alongside another from Christ’s cross, has been a cornerstone of faith for the cathedral’s congregation.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The community feels a profound sense of loss with its absence.
Irreplaceable Sacredness
Discussing potential replacements, Father Diaz expressed the unique challenge of replacing such a rare artifact.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The rarity of relics of Saint Mary Magdalene makes finding a substitute particularly difficult.
A Cathedral Unlike Any Other
The Cathedral of the Madeleine stands out as the only cathedral in the United States dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
Source: The Cathedral of the Madeleine/Facebook
This name honors the significant biblical figure who witnessed many of the pivotal moments in the life of Jesus.
Looking Forward with Hope
The church is considering reaching out to the Vatican for a new relic of Saint Mary Magdalene, as Father Diaz mentioned to DailyMail.com.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
This step is crucial in the church’s journey to heal and restore the spiritual continuity disrupted by the theft.