WATERVILLE — The Rev. Carlos Martins said he witnessed a man paralyzed for 65 years get up from his wheelchair and walk.

Martins, a member of Companions of the Cross, a community of Roman Catholic priests, said he also saw a 9-year-old girl cured of a cancerous tumor.

Additional Photos

DISPLAY: Ida George, 90, of Waterville inspects a collection of relics from Saints or Our Lord at Saint Joseph's Maronite Church in Waterville Sunday. The relics are physical objects that have a direct link with the saints or Our Lord. Relics can be broken down into three classes. First class relics are the body or fragments of a saint. Second class relics are at one time a possession of a saint such as a book or piece of clothing. Third class relics are those items that a saint touched. Relics are not magic but a tool for saints or Our Lord to be used for healing. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE: The Rev. Carlos Martins brought a collection of relics to Saint Joseph’s Maronite Church in Waterville on Sunday. Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

The man and the girl were both healed after having contact with a relic, or sacred object, Martins said.

Martins brought more than 100 relics to St. Joseph Maronite Parish on Sunday morning.

Relics are bits of a saint’s bones or flesh, or objects owned by a saint.

Martins said he enjoyed giving people an experience with a living God through saints’ relics.

Relics are not magic, he said; rather, they are God’s way of drawing attention to saints as models.

Martins referenced relics in the Bible, including 2 Kings 13:20-21.

When the body of a man was lowered into a tomb with the prophet Elisha “and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet,” the passage says.

For miraculous healing to occur, Martins said, people must open their hearts to God.

“God requires our permission to enter into our heart,” he said. “If you give God your heart today, you’ll experience the power of God today.”

Martins told the gathering of 50 people that he was an atheist until about 16 years ago.

To completely give one’s heart to God, Martins said, people must attend Sunday Mass, regularly confess sins to a priest, confess all their known sins and forgive those who have hurt them.

“God will accept murderers and rapists at his table, but he has said he will not tolerate someone who is unable to forgive,” Martins said.

“The Holy Spirit will show up today; he always does. Your job is to let him in.”

Ida George, 90, of Waterville, said she was hoping to have contact with a relic of St. Peter, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

bstaples@centralmaine.com

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