Antique Jesuit reliquary with 12 perfectly identified relics, all of them linked to the Society of Jesus and to its spiritual, missionary and martyrial history. The most valuable aspect of this piece does not lie in the case that contains them, but in the extraordinary selection of saints brought together: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order; great missionaries such as Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Peter Claver and Saint John Francis Regis; young saints such as Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint John Berchmans and Saint Stanislaus Kostka; doctors, preachers, confessors and martyrs related to the expansion of the Jesuit faith.

It is a very powerful devotional ensemble, entirely centered on the spiritual universe of the Society of Jesus. The relics form a small synthesis of Jesuit holiness: foundation, mission, preaching, charity, youth, inner life, study, sacrifice and martyrdom. For this reason, it is an especially interesting piece for a collection of religious antiques, for a person devoted to Ignatian spirituality or for an institution linked to the Society of Jesus.

Relics it contains:

1. Ignatii de Loy. - Saint Ignatius of Loyola: Founder of the Society of Jesus in the 16th century. After his religious conversion, which began after the wound he received at Pamplona in 1521, he devoted his life to the defense and expansion of the Catholic faith. He is one of the most important figures of Christian spirituality and the origin of the Spiritual Exercises, the basis of Ignatian spirituality.

2. Joannis Berch. - Saint John Berchmans: Young Belgian Jesuit, remembered for his humility, his purity of life and his fidelity to small daily obligations. He is a saint closely linked to the ideal of youthful holiness within the order. His life shows a simple holiness, made of obedience, study, piety and daily dedication.

3. Aloisii Gonz. - Saint Aloysius Gonzaga: Italian nobleman who renounced his position and privileges to enter the Society of Jesus. He is one of the best-known Jesuit saints and patron of Christian youth. He died very young, infected while caring for the sick during an epidemic, becoming a model of purity, charity and sacrifice.

4. Franc. Borgia - Saint Francis Borgia: Duke of Gandía before entering religious life, he was a key figure in the early years of the Society of Jesus. His life represents the passage from worldly greatness to spiritual dedication. He became the third Superior General of the order and contributed decisively to its expansion and consolidation. The relic is loose or detached inside the reliquary.

5. Franc. Xaveri - Saint Francis Xavier: One of the first companions of Saint Ignatius and one of the great missionaries in the history of the Church. He evangelized in Asia and his figure became forever linked to the universal expansion of the Society of Jesus. His missionary work in India, Southeast Asia and Japan made him a symbol of the Jesuit evangelizing impulse.

6. M. M. Japon. - Holy Martyrs of Japan: Group of Christians persecuted and martyred in Japan, among them several members of the Society of Jesus. Their memory represents the heroic witness of faith in mission lands. These relics evoke the hardship of evangelization in Japan and the extreme fidelity of those who kept their faith until martyrdom.

7. Jo. Franc. Regi - Saint John Francis Regis: French Jesuit well known for his intense popular preaching and his dedication to the humblest. His apostolic work was especially important in rural areas of France. He was venerated for his dedication to the poor, the sick, prisoners and people far from religious life.

8. Petri Claveri - Saint Peter Claver: Jesuit missionary in Cartagena de Indias, famous for his dedication to the African slaves arriving at the port. He is one of the most admired figures of the order for his charity and human commitment. He devoted decades to spiritually and materially assisting the enslaved, being remembered as the "apostle of the slaves".

9. Petri Canis. - Saint Peter Canisius: Jesuit theologian, preacher and writer, who played an essential role in the Catholic renewal in Europe. He was a very influential figure in the doctrinal defense of the Church. His catechisms and educational work made him one of the great names of the Catholic reform in the Germanic world.

10. Alph. Rodriguez - Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez: Jesuit coadjutor, venerated for his humility, his obedience and his intense inner life. He is remembered as an example of holiness in simple and silent life. He served for years as porter of the Jesuit college of Montesión in Mallorca, turning a humble task into a path of union with God.

11. Franc. de Hier. - Saint Francis de Geronimo: Italian Jesuit famous for his fervent preaching and intense apostolic activity. He was especially known for his ability to move people towards religious conversion. He carried out great missionary and popular work in Naples, where he was highly venerated for his apostolic zeal.

12. Stanislai Kost. - Saint Stanislaus Kostka: Young Jesuit novice of Polish origin, highly venerated for his purity, his early vocation and his deep spiritual dedication. He is one of the most beloved youthful figures of the Society of Jesus. His decision to enter the order despite family opposition made him a model of vocational firmness and love of God.

The selection of relics functions almost like a small journey through the spiritual history of the Society of Jesus. Saint Ignatius represents the origin of the order; Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Peter Claver, Saint John Francis Regis and Saint Peter Canisius show its missionary, doctrinal and apostolic dimension; Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Berchmans embody youthful holiness; and the Martyrs of Japan recall the extreme sacrifice of evangelization in mission lands.

The ensemble is carefully arranged on a red background, with the relics placed in a circular form and accompanied by their corresponding labels. This presentation gives the reliquary a clear, orderly and attractive appearance, but above all allows the spiritual strength of the saints gathered together to be appreciated at a single glance.

The containing case is circular, made of silver-plated metal, sober but very well resolved, with an upper ring for suspension. The front is protected by glass and allows the interior arrangement of the relics on a red background to be clearly seen. Although the great interest of the piece lies in its devotional content, the reliquary preserves a careful and very attractive presentation.

The rear cover presents an especially symbolic decoration, with a central cross in relief, surrounded by a circular radiance and an outer border decorated with stars. This rear part gives the piece greater presence and reinforces its religious character, without taking prominence away from the ensemble of relics.

On the inner reverse it preserves the seal of the certifying office of the Society of Jesus, with the Signum Postulatoris S.I. S.I. corresponds to Societatis Iesu, that is, the Society of Jesus. The wax seal and threads remain intact, with no signs of opening or manipulation, something that always adds interest in this type of piece and reinforces the material confidence of the ensemble.

The general condition is very good within its nature. The only visible defect is that the relic of Saint Francis Borgia is loose or detached inside the reliquary. The relic is present, but as the reliquary remains sealed, it cannot be repositioned without intervening in the closure.

More than a simple antique reliquary, this is a small compendium of Jesuit holiness. Although its size is reduced, it has great content and great appeal for anyone who values Jesuit spirituality. In just 5.2 cm it brings together relics of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Francis Borgia, Saint Peter Claver, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and other saints of the Society of Jesus. A reliquary especially suited to someone who feels a close devotion to the Jesuit saints and wishes to preserve an antique piece that unites memory, faith and Ignatian spirituality.

Measurements: 5.2 cm (2.05 in) in diameter.