According to Daily Caller, thieves allegedly stole a cherished bone fragment of Saint Mary Magdalene from the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City early Wednesday morning.
The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake Police Department are actively seeking leads to recover the relic and have announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to its return or the thief's arrest.
A cathedral staff member discovered the theft around 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The shrine, which housed the bone fragment, was found shattered and discarded on the floor beneath the sanctuary’s crucifix.
The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City announced the theft on Friday. The relic holds significant spiritual value for the local Catholic community and has been part of the cathedral for over a century.
The stolen bone fragment is a tangible connection to Saint Mary Magdalene, revered as the patron saint of Utah’s Catholics. Bishop Joseph S. Glass brought the relic to the cathedral in 1918, and it is traditionally displayed for veneration on Easter Sunday and July 22, the Solemnity of Saint Mary Magdalene.
The Diocese, along with local police, is actively investigating leads to recover the relic. As part of their efforts, they have offered a $1,000 reward for information that could lead to the relic’s safe return or the apprehension of the thief.
The Very Reverend Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral, believes that the thief was likely looking for something valuable to sell. “This was a person looking for something of value to sell,” he stated.
Rev. Diaz suggested that the thief initially picked up the reliquary but found it too heavy to carry.
It is likely that he picked up the reliquary, but once he got it off the shelf could not hold it, as it is very heavy. Once it was broken open, he took the one thing that appeared sellable.
The relic’s significance extends far beyond its material value for the Catholic community. Rev. Diaz emphasized that relics serve as a physical reminder of saints who have led lives dedicated to God and charitable deeds.
“For us, it’s our connection with Saint Mary Magdalene who, of course, walked with Jesus and was the first one to announce the resurrection,” Rev. Diaz remarked. He noted that the relic represents a link to 2000 years of Christianity.
Local authorities and the Diocese remain hopeful that the relic can be recovered. They urge anyone with information to come forward.
Early on Wednesday, the revered relic of Saint Mary Magdalene was stolen from the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Cathedral staff discovered the broken reliquary under the sanctuary's crucifix at around 7 a.m. The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, in collaboration with local authorities, is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to the return of the relic. Rev. Diaz stressed its significant religious value and reassured the community of their unwavering commitment to faith and service.
