Most of us are completely unaware how many relics of the Passion really exist. Truthfully, it is really amazing how many we have. A list and where they are today:
The Crown of Thorns: today it is in the Cathedrale of Notre Dame in Paris, though originally it was housed in the Saint Chapelle, an incredibly beautiful chapel built by the King of France.
The Shroud of Turin: known as the burying sheet, it is kept in Cathedral in Turin, Italy. It remains a subject of much study given that it shows the body of Jesus in its fibers.
The Titulus: The sign over the crucifixion. Kept in the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem in Rome.
The sudarium: (sweat cloth), put upon the face of the dead Christ. Kept in a chapel in Oviedo, Spain.
The Holy lance: (used to stab Christ in the side). Kept in the monastery of the Holy Cross outside of Vienna.
Veronica’s veil: Kept in St. Peter’s in Rome.
Wood of the Cross: Various pieces are kept in churches around the world. The Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham has a small piece. There are many places that have fragments of the Cross.
The holy nails from the Cross: sadly, there are many nails in cathedrals across Europe purporting to be the “true” nails.
Many of the relics came as a result of Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, who made a journey sometime around 326. She was able to find many of the relics that we know about today.
As for their authenticity, the Vatican has certified all the relics listed except for the nails as true relics. Their provenance is not questioned. So, we have many physical relics from the Passion. They are deep reminders of the truth of the Passion.