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The belief that certain individuals' bodies have miraculously avoided decomposition after death is held by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
To comprehend the origins of incorruptibility, it is essential to grasp the religious backdrop. Jesus, through a miraculous event, triumphantly rose from the dead and his resurrection is a key concept, central to his holiness.
Therefore, any extension of the miracle of resurrection (like a corpse not decaying) can be seen as a divine intervention and proof of the person's holiness.
Naturally-preserved and artificially-preserved bodies differ. The latter may undergo accidental or intentional preservation techniques, like the mummification process employed in ancient Egypt.
The distinction lies in the fact that incorruptible bodies cannot be accounted for by either these techniques or natural occurrences. Certain bodies are believed to possess enduring qualities that challenge decomposition, such as blood, oils, and a distinct fragrance.
Unlike mummies, these saints possess soft skin and flexible limbs, as opposed to hardened and desiccated bodies.
Incorruptibility does not imply eternal preservation of a body's state. Once proven at any time, a corpse can be deemed incorruptible.
Certain bodies have undergone treatments to preserve their characteristics, such as wax or acid baths. Thanks to these methods, numerous bodies and body parts are currently exhibited, ensuring their longevity.
The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have unearthed and examined the remains of certain saints, leading to remarkable findings of well-preserved bodies and body parts.
The Catholic Church has an estimated 100 incorruptibles. Most of these are found in Italy, but also in various European countries and even as far as India. These individuals are known to allegedly perform miracles after their death, making them attractions in their own right.
The Catholic Church has even called on science to better understand these incorruptibles and safeguard their preservation. Although natural factors often account for the exceptional preservation of certain bodies, the Church does not view them as any less miraculous.
Ezio Fulcheri of the University of Genoa explains the Catholic Church’s current stance: "What is a miracle? It's something unexplainable, a special event that may occur in different ways ... but don't exclude [rare] natural processes that are different from the normal course of things."
For the Eastern Orthodox, the preservation of a body in an undecayed state does not necessarily mean the person is holy. There is a possibility that the body could be cursed or be a result of the transgression of church teachings.
The Third Synod of Moscow from 1666 states: "Let no one dare henceforth to honor and revere the bodies of the dead which even in these times are found whole and incorrupt as being holy without a credible witness and Synodical Approval."
If they're not mummies, what are they? Various theories abound, suggesting that they could be preserved by airtight coffins made of zinc and lead, by being buried in above-ground crypts, or as the result of unknown embalming techniques.
The Catholic Church no longer recognizes incorruptibility as an official miracle. This shift may be due to studies suggesting that these bodies were naturally mummified, rather than as a result of supernatural intervention.
Wax has been employed in preserving incorruptibles, such as Saint Bernadette who passed away in 1879. To maintain her body, it underwent three medical examinations between 1909 and 1925 as part of the canonization process, followed by a wax coating.
There are a few incorruptibles that exhibit signs of embalming, such as Margaret of Cortona. As stated by researcher Heather Pringle in her book ‘The Mummy Congress’: "Those who preserved St. Margaret had done so remarkably thoroughly, excising her internal organs and drenching her skin in fragrant lotions".
Several incorruptibles, including Catherine of Siena, Clare of Montefalco, Blessed Margaret of Metola, Rita of Cascia, and Bernardine of Siena, have been embalmed, contrary to popular belief.
There are still some cases of incorruptibility that have yet to be explained. A notable example is Saint Zita, whose body is currently exhibited at the San Frediano Basilica in Lucca, Italy. Despite extensive research, no evidence has been discovered suggesting any attempts to preserve the body. Neither incisions nor resins have been detected, and scans have revealed that all of the saint's organs remain intact within her body.
Catherine Labouré, a French nun, gained fame for creating the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady of Graces. After her death, the Church declared her a saint when they discovered her body remained intact 57 years later.
Additional instances of incorruptibility include Ubald of Gubbio, Blessed Margaret of Savoy, and Saint Savina Petrilli, along with preserved body parts such as Francis Xavier's arm.
And here is Saint Anthony's tongue, which is kept, together with his vocal cards and floating rib, in this golden statuette.
Rosalia Lombardo, known as the "Sleeping Beauty," passed away shortly before her second birthday. In mourning, her father preserved her body.
While not officially declared a saint, Rosalia Lombardo gained notoriety due to her body seeming to mysteriously open her eyes, although this has been scientifically explained as an optical illusion. You can visit her at the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.
During the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the Church's "incorruptibles" and other relics were taken from churches. These items were falsely claimed to all be wax figures, a deliberate effort to discredit the Church.
Sources: (Grunge) (Ranker) (Roman Catholic Saints) (Britannica)
The phenomenon of incorruptibility is just as enigmatic as it appears. The belief that certain bodies do not undergo natural decomposition after death is seen as evidence of divine intervention in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. These individuals, whose remains defy the natural order, have often been recognized as saints.
Intrigued to discover more about the incorruptibles? Click on the gallery to learn more.
Incorruptible bodies: saints whose corpses didn't decay
Divine intervention or natural wonder?
LIFESTYLE Religion
The phenomenon of incorruptibility is just as enigmatic as it appears. The belief that certain bodies do not undergo natural decomposition after death is seen as evidence of divine intervention in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. These individuals, whose remains defy the natural order, have often been recognized as saints.
Intrigued to discover more about the incorruptibles? Click on the gallery to learn more.