A Rare Relic: Saint Crescent
Inside the altar lies the bones of a young boy that have been encased in wax. The boy is known as Galesburg’s Saint Crescent, which has been serving the city of Galesburg since its arrival in 1887.
The young boy was put to death in the late third century at nine years of age in Rome during the persecution of Christians. The body is inhumed in the catacombs until the 19th century when Italian priest and philosopher Father Rosmini is entrusted with the body to be placed somewhere in reverence. Initially, he places the body on a glass altar in his chapel in Italy, until a follower of Rosmini and priest, Father Costa purchased land in Galesburg Illinois, reserved for the erection of Corpus Christi Church. Father Costa traveled back to Italy from the states to assume responsibility for the boy’s body and the altar. Miraculously, the memorial has received practically no damage during its journey. On August 27, 1887, St Crescent’s legacy begins in Galesburg and is cemented to be the city’s rare relic as only 10 saint bodies reside in the United States. Today, legend has it that the saint protects the city from tornadoes and many believe it to be the case as a tornado calamity has not happened since its advent! Moreso, the anniversary of St Crescent’s arrival is the designated feast day and the altar still stands on the north side of the Corpus Christi Church to this day available for the public to see.