The phrase ''ex indumentis'' is
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
for "from the clothing", most commonly used when referring to Second Class holy
relics
In religion, a relic is an object or article of religious significance from the past. It usually consists of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint or venerated person preserved for purposes of veneration as a tang ...
of
saints or blessed individuals.
[Moore, Malcolm, "Clamour for free Pope John Paul II relics", ''The Telegraph'', September 24, 2007]
/ref>
In proper ecclesiastical phraseology, ''ex indumentis'' should only be used when referring to an article or fragment of clothing that was owned or used by a saint (or similarly blessed individual).[
In recent years, numerous contemporary manufacturers of relic medals, holy plaques, saint statues and religious trinkets have begun to label their items as being ''ex indumentis''; rather, they are merely pieces of inexpensive cloth or canvas that have been touched to an actual relic of the saint, then stamped out en-masse to be attached to their souvenir medals or statues. As such, they are 3rd-class relics and not 2nd-class relics, as the phrase ''ex indumentis'' implies.
True examples of genuine ''ex indumentis'' relics are considered to be treasures of the faithful and should be venerated in accordance with ]theological
Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the s ...
laws. Unauthentic examples of ''ex indumentis'' relics have no sacramental
A sacramental in Christianity is a material object or action (in Latin ''sacramentalia'') ritually blessed by a priest to signal its association with the sacraments and so to incite reverence during acts of worship. They are recognised by the Cat ...
value as such.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ex Indumentis
Christian relics
Christian saints
Latin religious words and phrases