Touching the Sacred: Why Catholics Reach for Holy Images

During Lent, our senses are drawn into deeper silence, deeper sacrifice, and deeper longing. It's often in this season that I notice more people lingering before statues of Christ or the saints—some kneeling, others gently touching the feet of a crucifix, or wiping a cloth along the hem of a Marian statue’s robe. It’s a sight that might confuse or even trouble some, especially those outside the Catholic tradition.

“Isn’t that idolatry?” a well-meaning commenter asked recently, referring to these expressions of devotion. “Aren’t people putting their faith in statues instead of God?”

It’s an important question—and one that deserves an honest, thoughtful answer rooted in both Scripture and the lived tradition of the Church.

Not Worship—But Reverence

Let’s begin here: Catholics do not worship statues. We worship God alone—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Statues, images, and icons are not divine. But they do help point us to the Divine.

In the same way someone might hold a photo of a loved one who has passed, or kiss the image of a child during war—these physical gestures express something deeper. They're acts of love, memory, connection. When a Catholic touches the image of a saint, it’s not because we believe the stone or paint has power—but because we believe God works through His holy ones. We are reaching, not for the object, but for the presence behind it.

Biblical Foundations of Tangible Faith

The Bible itself is filled with this understanding of physical contact as a conduit of grace:

• In Acts 19:11–12, God worked miracles through handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul.

• In Mark 5:27–29, the woman with the hemorrhage was healed simply by touching the cloak of Jesus.

• In 2 Kings 13:20–21, a man was brought back to life when his body touched Elisha’s bones.

• Even in the Old Testament, God instructed the making of cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18–22)—visible signs that invited reverence, not idolatry.

Clearly, God understands the human need for the physical, and at times, chooses to use it for His glory. The incarnation itself—God made flesh—is the ultimate affirmation of that.

Why Do People Touch or Wipe Cloths on Statues?

When someone wipes a handkerchief on a statue of a saint or touches a relic, it is often an act of hope—a prayer in gesture, asking God to work through His servant. It reflects a belief in the Communion of Saints—that those who are in Heaven are alive in Christ and united with us in prayer (Revelation 5:8, Hebrews 12:1).

These gestures are not magic. They are not formulas. They are expressions of faith, often done in times of desperation, love, or reverent hope.

The Lenten Spirit of Reaching

Lent is a time when many of us return to the Lord with hearts wide open. And sometimes, that return begins with something small—a hand reaching out to touch the wood of the cross, or a tear wiped on the foot of a statue.

These acts are not signs of misplaced worship—they are signs of a soul seeking God, of someone remembering that the Body of Christ is not abstract, but tangible, real, and present.

Let’s Reflect Together

As we walk through this sacred season of Lent, have you ever found yourself reaching out—literally or spiritually—for a sign of God’s presence? Have you touched a crucifix, lit a candle, or prayed before an image with longing in your heart?

I invite you to share your experiences or questions in the comments below. Whether you're returning to the Church, deepening your understanding, or simply curious, this space is for honest reflection and open hearts.

Let’s keep seeking Him—through Scripture, Sacrament, and even the small, sacred gestures that draw us closer to His mercy.