Atrium - The Rademacher Family Reliquary

Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is traditionally associated with the mark placed on those chosen by God in Ezekiel 9:4. Pope Innocent III, whose words deeply influenced St. Francis, opened the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 with a homily on this Scripture passage. St. Francis of Assisi later adopted the Tau as his personal signature, often signing his letters with the symbol rather than with his name.

Many Franciscans wear the Tau Cross on a simple leather cord, and Franciscan pilgrimage programs, including the Assisi Scholars pilgrimage, often begin by presenting each participant with one. The Tau Cross symbolizes a spiritual journey that is never fully complete on this side of heaven. It also recalls St. Francis’s enduring call: “Let us begin again.”

As an expression of the Franciscan charism of Roger Bacon High School, the choice of the Tau Cross as the form of this reliquary is especially fitting. It reflects the lasting influence and importance of St. Francis of Assisi within the school’s Franciscan identity.

The reliquary contains 82 relics, including 11 Apostles and Gospel Writers, 8 Doctors of the Church, 13 Franciscans, 14 martyrs, and 36 other saints. A complete list of the saints follows:

Number	Saint
Apostles/Gospel Writers
1	St. James Major (the Greater) / Martyr
2	St. James Minor (the Lessor) / Martyr
3	St. John the Evangelist / Gospel Writer
4	St. Jude Thaddaeus / Martyr
5	St. Luke the Evangelist / Gospel Writer
6	St. Matthew the Evangelist / Gospel Writer / Martyr
7	St. Paul / Martyr
8	St. Peter / Pope / Martyr
9	St. Phillip / Martyr
10	St. Simon the Zealot / Martyr
11	St. Thomas / Martyr
Doctors of the Church
12	St. Albert the Great
13	St. Athanasius
14	St. Catherine of Siena
15	St. Francis de Sales
16	St. Jerome
17	St. Robert Bellarmine
18	St. Teresa of Avila
19	St. Therese of Lisieux (of the Infant Jesus)
Franciscans
20	St. Anthony of Padua / Doctor of the Church
21	St. Bernadine of Siena
22	St. Bonaventure / Doctor of the Church
23	St. Charles of Sezze
24	Blessed Duns Scotus
25	St. Elizabeth of Hungary
26	St. Francis of Assisi
27	St. John Vianney
28	St. Joseph of Cupertino
29	St. Ludovico of Casoria
30	Martyrs of Gorkum
31	St. Paschal Baylon
32	St. Peter of Alcantara
Martyrs
33	St. Agnes
34	St. Andrew Bobola
35	St. Boniface
36	St. Christopher
37	St. Dorothy of Caesarea
38	St. Dymphna
39	St. Lawrence
40	St. Lucy
41	St. Maria Goretti
42	St. Philomena
43	St. Sabina
44	St. Serena of Spoleto
45	St. Stephen
46	St. Theodore
Saints
47	St. Aloysius Gonzaga
48	St. Anne, Mother of Mary
49	St. Benedict
50	St. Benedict the Abbot
51	St.Bernadette Soubirous
52	St. Camillus de Lellis
53	St. Charles Borromeo
54	St. Claude de la Colombiere
55	St. Dismas
56	St. Dominic Savio
57	St. Francis Xavier
58	St. Francis Xavier Cabrini
59	St. Gerard Majella
60	St. Helena
61	St. Ignatius of Loyola
62	St. Joachim, Father of Mary
63	St. John of God
64	St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
65	St. Lazarus
65	St. Martha
67	St. Martin de Porres
68	St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi
69	St. Monica of Hippo
70	St. Nicholas of Tolentine
71	St. Patrick
72	St. Pius V / Pope
73	St. Pius X / Pope
74	St. Raymond Nonnatus
75	St. Raymond of Penafort
76	St. Rose of Lima
77	St. Scholastica
78	St. Simon Stock
79	St. Stanislaus Kostka
80	St. Sylvester
81	St. Theodoric of Orleans
82	St. Vincent de Paul

The Rademacher Family Reliquary
A Gift from the Family of Richard and Joyce Rademacher

The collection of relics displayed in this chapel reliquary originated as a simple act of kindness and has since grown into a lasting legacy of faith, now generously entrusted by the Rademacher family to the Roger Bacon High School community.

John McEvilly, brother of Joyce Rademacher, would invite fellow seminarians to his family home in Milwaukee, where they were welcomed with meals, music, and fellowship. Mary McEvilly, the family matriarch, extended warm hospitality to these young men, many of whom were far from their own homes.

Following ordination, one such frequent visitor to the McEvilly household was appointed to serve in the Sacrario Apostolico (the “relic office”) at the Vatican. Mary McEvilly maintained her support of these newly ordained priests, including their friend in Rome, through regular correspondence, often accompanied by small tokens of care (beer and pizza money). In time, packages began to arrive from Rome containing devotional items—rosaries, prayer cards, and eventually, sacred relics.

Over the years, these relics formed a treasured collection, bearing witness to the deep and abiding faith of this Irish American family.

Upon the passing of Joyce Rademacher, the family discerned that these sacred objects should be placed in a setting worthy of public veneration. They were therefore entrusted to Roger Bacon High School and enshrined in this chapel, designed by Mary McEvilly’s grandson, John Patrick Rademacher.

In loving memory of Richard and Joyce Rademacher, may these sacred relics—signs of the communion of saints—inspire all who encounter them to deeper faith, prayer, and devotion, drawing them closer to the heroic witness of the saints.

Richard and Joyce Rademacher
Michael J. Rademacher ’79
John Patrick Rademacher ’80
Jeanne Rademacher, MD ’81 (OLA)
Katherine M. Rademacher ’07
Erin E. Rademacher ’08
Anthony J. Rademacher ’09
Katherine S. Rademacher Hon. ’10

A huge thanks to the builders of the reliquary, Jim Becker and Don “Dusty” Eling.

Jim Becker has a strong connection to Roger Bacon. His father, Roy Becker, graduated from Roger Bacon in 1933. Jim and his wife have two children, Rachel and Jim. Their son Jim is married to Johanna Becker, Director of Spiritual Life at Roger Bacon. Jim and his wife are also the proud grandparents of five grandchildren, including two Spartans: Joshua Becker, Class of 2025, and Jacob Becker, Class of 2028.

Jim attended Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School and graduated from Reading High School in 1965. During high school, he studied mechanical drawing and wood shop for four years, then continued his education in drafting at Southern Ohio College. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 478th Engineer Battalion, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim retired after a 30-year career with Morton/Rohm and Haas. He has been a member of the Knights of St. John in Reading since age 16, is a member of the Cincinnati Woodworking Club, and enjoys woodworking in his spare time.

When asked about the reliquary project, he commented:

“Johanna asked me if I could make a Tau Cross 5 feet long with relics imbedded in it for Roger Bacon’s new chapel. I told her I did not know if I could, having never heard of a cross like this. After meeting with President Steve Schad, I agreed to do it but knew I would need help. We started with drawings and then I got my friend Don “Dusty” Eling involved. Dusty has a large shop and a lot of know-how in woodworking. We agreed to work on it, but it would be a challenge. We have worked on projects together over the years, but nothing like this! After several attempts at drawing up the cross, we got the go-ahead and cut the template from plywood. We then cut the cross itself out of walnut donated so generously by Wilhelm Lumber. This was completed after several weeks of cutting and shaping. Then came the relics – installing 82 of them took a long time! After they were installed, we put the final finish on the cross and it was done!”

Don “Dusty” Eling. Don graduated from Saints Peter and Paul Grade School in 1961, Archbishop Moeller High School in 1965, and the University of Cincinnati in 1973. He served in the Air National Guard with the 123rd Tactical Flight Control Squadron and worked in logistics throughout his entire career.

Don developed his passion for woodworking through the influence of his grandfather, Weisbrod. An active member of the Cincinnati Woodworking Club for more than 40 years, he has created more than 800 pieces, including cabinets, home furniture, and many custom projects for his family.

Don is married, has four children and eleven grandchildren, and is a member of St. Saviour Parish.

Special thanks to Wilhelm Lumber Company in Saint Leon, Indiana, for providing the beautiful walnut wood for the cross. Wilhelm Lumber was founded by Leo and Angela Wilhelm and is now managed by Tim, Dan, and Sue Wilhelm.

Please click on the below links for more information on the reliquary

Location of the Relics in the Reliquary
A Year with the Saints

A Year with the Saints

Roger Bacon starts every school day with a prayer. The saints whose relics reside in the atrium chapel will be remembered in the morning prayer on their feast day.

Below are the saints with relics in the reliquary, including the two additional relics in the main altar: St. Berard and St. Maria Goretti.

Saint	Feast Day	Patronage
St. Raymond of Penafort	January 7	Lawyers
St. Berard & Companions	January 16	Franciscan Missions; Missionaries; Martyrs
St. Charles of Sezze	January 18	Those Seeking a Life of Simple, Quiet Faith; Those Caring for the Sick and Poor.
St. Agnes	January 21	Young Girls; Chastity; Rape Survivors
St. Francis de Sales	January 24	Authors; Deafness; Journalists; Writers
St. Theodoric of Orleans	January 27	Foster Children; Foster Parents; Reconciliation of Birth Parents with Their Children
St. Dorothy of Caesarea	February 6	Gardeners; Brewers; Brides; Florists; Midwives; Newlyweds; Village of Pescia, Italy.
St. Scholastica	February 10	Benedictine Nuns; Education, Convulsive Children; Invoked Against Storms and Rain
St. Claude de la Colombiere	February 15	Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
St. John of God	March 8	Hospitals; The Sick; Nurses; Firefighters; Alcoholics; Booksellers
St. Dominic Savio	March 10	Choirboys; the Falsely Accused; Juvenile Delinquents; Expectant Mothers
St. Patrick	March 17	Engineers; Ireland; Nigeria
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary	March 19	The Universal Church; Workers; Carpenters; Fathers; Unborn Children; Families; Immigrants; Belgium; Canada; China
St. Dismas	March 25	Penitent Criminals; Reformed Thieves; Prison Chaplains; Undertakers; Funeral Directors; Dying People
St. Ludovico of Casoria	March 30	Casoria, Italy; Victims of Human Trafficking; Sisters of Saint Elizabeth (Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth); Gray Friars of Charity.
St. Bernadette Soubirous	April 16	Bodily Illness
St. Catherine of Siena	April 29	Europe; Fire Prevention; Italy; Journalists; Media; Nursing.
St. Pius V	April 30	Bosco Marengo, Italy; Valletta, Malta
St. Athanasius	May 2	Theologians, Faithful Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians
St. James the Lesser	May 3	Hatmakers; Rheumatoid Sufferers; Laborers
St. Phillip	May 3	Hatters; Pastry Chefs; Luxembourg; Uruguay
St. Dymphna	May 15	Those Suffering Nervous and Mental Afflictions; Victims of Incest.
St. Andrew Bobola	May 16	Poland; Archdiocese of Warsaw
St. Simon Stock	May 16	Carmelite Order; Aylesford, England; Bordeaux, France.
St. Paschal Baylon	May 17	Eucharistic Congresses & Societies; Shepherds
St. Bernadine of Siena	May 20	Advertising; Gambling; Italy; Public Relations
St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi	May 25	Bodily Ills and Sickness; Mystics and Contemplatives; Sexual Temptation; Naples, Italy
St. Boniface	June 5	Germany
St. Anthony of Padua	June 13	Lost Things; Poor; Travelers
St. Paul	June 29	Missionaries; Evangelists; Writers; Journalists; Authors; Public Workers; Rope and Saddle-makers; Tent Makers
St. Peter	June 29	Fishermen; Net-makers; Shipbuilders; Locksmiths
St. Thomas	July 3	Judges; Architects
St. Maria Goretti	July 6	Youth; Young Women; Purity; Victims of Rape
Martyrs of Gorkum	July 9	Curing of Hernias; Symbols of Unwavering Faith and Loyalty to Catholic Doctrines Under Persecution.
St. Benedict the Abbot	July 11	Europe; Kidney Disease; Monastics; Poisoning; Schoolchildren
St. Bonaventure	July 15	Bowel Disorders
St. Camillus de Lellis	July 18	Hospitals; Nurses; Healthcare Workers; Sick
St. Christopher	July 25	Bachelors; Transportation; Traveling; Storms; Epilepsy; Gardeners; Holy Death; Toothache
St. James the Greater	July 25	Spain; Pilgrims
St. Anne, Mother of Mary	July 26	Mothers; Grandparents; Pregnant Women; Children; Unmarried People; Teachers; Carpenters; Child Care Providers; Seamstresses; Lace-makers; Secondhand-Clothes Dealers
St. Joachim, Father of Mary	July 26	Grandparents; Fathers; Puerto Rico
St. Lazarus	July 29	Lepers; Beggars; the Sick; Gravediggers
St. Martha	July 29	Servants; Cooks
St. Ignatius of Loyola	July 31	Retreats; Soldiers
St. John Vianney	August 4	Diocesan Priests; Parish Priests
St. Lawrence	August 10	Cooks; Deacons; Poor
St. Philomena	August 11	Infants; Babies; Youth
St. Serena of Spoleto	August 16	Foglia (Magliano Sabina), Italy
St. Helena	August 18	Difficult Marriages; Divorced People; Converts; Archaeologists.
St. Pius X	August 21	First Communicants; Pilgrims
St. Rose of Lima	August 23	Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Embroiderers; Sewing Lace; Gardeners; Florists; People Ridiculed or Misunderstood for their Piety; Resolution of Family Quarrels
St. Monica of Hippo	August 27	Alcoholics; Conversion; Mothers; Wives
St. Sabina	August 29	Housewives; Diocese of Avezzano in Italy; Basilica of Santa Sabina, Rome
St. Raymond Nonnatus	August 31	Childbirth; Expectant Mothers; Newborn Infants; Midwives; Obstetricians; the Unborn; Victims of Gossip and Slander
St. Nicholas of Tolentine	September 10	Sailors; Merchants; Archers; Repentant Thieves; Children; Brewers; Pawnbrokers; Students
St. Robert Bellarmine	September 17	Catechists; Catechumens
St. Joseph of Cupertino	September 18	Aviation; Astronauts; Mental Handicaps; Test Taking; Students
St. Matthew the Evangelist	September 21	Accountants; Actors; Bankers; Bookkeepers; Tax Collectors; Taxi Drivers
St. Vincent de Paul	September 27	Charitable Societies; Volunteers
St. Jerome	September 30	Librarians; Scholars; Translators
St. Theresa of Lisieux	October 1	Florists; Missionaries; Pilots; Priests
St. Francis of Assisi	October 4	Animals, Archaeologists; Ecology; Italy; Merchants; Messengers; Metal Workers
St. Teresa of Avila	October 15	Relief from Headaches
St. Gerard Majella	October 16	Childbirth; Children; Pregnant Women; Mothers; Falsely Accused People; Good Confessions; Lay Brothers, Pro-Life Movement; Unborn Children.
St. Luke the Evangelist	October 18	Artists/Painters; Brewers; Butchers; Notaries; Physicians/Surgeons
St. Jude Thaddaeus	October 28	Desperate Causes; Desperate Situations; Lost Causes
St. Simon the Zealot	October 28	Couriers; Tanners; Woodcutters; Sawyers
St. Martin de Porres	November 3	African Americans; Barbers; Hairdressers; Race Relations; Radio; Social Justice
St. Charles Borromeo	November 4	Catechists; Catechumens; Seminarians
Blessed Duns Scotus	November 8	Academics, Scholars, Students, Theologians, and Philosophers. Patron of the city of Cologne, Germany.
St. Theodore	November 11	Soldiers; Protection Against Storms; Recovery of Lost Items; Brindisi, Italy
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini	November 13	Hospital Administrators; Immigrants; Impossible Causes
St. Stanislaus Kostka	November 13	Jesuit Novices; Students; Poland; Broken Bones
St. Albert the Great	November 15	Educators/Teachers; Medical Technicians; Philosophers; Scientists
St. Elizabeth of Hungary	November 17	Hospitals; Nurses; Falsely Accused People; Bakers; Brides; Countesses; Dying Children; Exiles; Homeless People; Lace-makers; Widows; Catholic Charities; Secular Franciscan Order
St. Francis Xavier	December 3	Catholic Foreign Missions; Missionaries
St. Lucy	December 13	Blindness
St. Stephen	December 26	Deacons; Altar Servers; Bricklayers; Casket-makers; Stonemasons
St. John the Evangelist	December 27	Love; Loyalty; Friendships; Authors
St. Sylvester	December 31	Benedictines; Stonemasons; Stonecutters; Animals