In the “Apostles’ Creed,” after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, the Creed says, “He descended into hell.” Why would he have done that? What was the purpose of Jesus visiting hell?

Great question! The phrase is rather mysterious, isn’t it? In the deepest of senses, the phrase communicates a great mystery, and will not be fully understood until heaven. Still, what is very important to remember is that the “hell” that the Apostles’ Creed references is not the hell of the damned, but what has also been called “Abraham’s Bosom,” a place of waiting designated for the souls of the just who had died before the coming of the Messiah. Jesus did not only die for those who came after him. He also died to save all those who had served YAHWEH faithfully before his arrival, but who could not yet access the vision of God because of the fall of our first parents.

There is a very powerful religious icon of Christ breaking through the barrier between earth and the realm of the dead, and of Christ extending his hand to Adam and Eve to bring them into God’s presence. This is at least part of the mystery proclaimed by the phrase “He descended into hell.” Upon his death, Christ first proclaimed his saving death and resurrection to Moses, Noah, David, Sarah, Miriam and all the other faithful of the Jewish people, known and unknown, who had waited for his coming. And after descending into the mysterious realm of the dead, called within the Creed “hell,” Christ brings them all with him into the presence of God. Alleluia!!!!

What is the spiritual significance of viewing relics?

Relics remind us of the reality of the saints — they were real people, made of flesh and bone. When we venerate relics, we, first of all, remember that God chooses to work through such frail stuff to make his presence known. We venerate the relic of a saint to honor God who has done, and continues to do, great things for his people, through his people. Relics aren’t magic and they don’t have any power in and of themselves. They are holy because they bear the “fragrance” of God’s action. And they are reminders and inspirations to us to be relics of God’s presence ourselves.

Father Erickson is pastor of Transfiguration in Oakdale. Send your questions to [email protected] with “Why Do Catholics Do That?” in the subject line.