Incorruptible bodies of saints

"The gift of incorruptibility, either partial or total preservation of the body or parts thereof long after one has died, in some cases hundreds of years, is a gift that God bestows upon His beloved Saints. Most of the time, the incorruptible bodies of such saints are found to be intact when their bodies are exhumed as part of the canonization process.

The Gift of Incorruptibility: Miracles of the Saints

There are many such cases of incorruptible bodies preserved in churches all around the world, with some examples. For example, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, whose thumb kept bleeding over 400 years. Saint Charbel Makhlouf, the Lebanese hermit, whose body was also found incorrupt and gave off a sweet fragrance many years after his death.

It was also known that his body would secrete this liquid that, whenever the faithful would touch it, they would be healed through the intercession of the saint, and there has never been any scientific proof to explain these occurrences.

The Phenomenon of Incorruptibility and Its Significance

Well, yes, in some cases of the incorruptibles, it was known that preservatives were added to help delay the process of decomposition, as in the case of Saint Paula Frassinetti, where Carbolic Acid was added to help preserve her body. But does that mean that all the incorruptible saints were a hoax? Well, let's find out.

Scientific Process of Human Decomposition

Now, we know from scientific evidence that our bodies, after death, start to decompose very rapidly. Let's take a look at what science says. The first stage of human decomposition is called "Autolysis" or "Self-digestion," and this begins immediately after death.

Twenty-four to seventy-two hours after death, the internal organs decompose. Three to five days after death, the body starts to bloat, and blood containing foam leaks from the mouth and nose. Eight to ten days after death, the body turns from green to red as the blood decomposes, and the organs in the abdomen accumulate gas.

Several weeks after death, nails and teeth fall out. One month after death, the body starts to liquefy. So, we already know by science that a human corpse, most especially internal organs, decomposes very rapidly after death.

Examples of Incorruptible Saints

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino: A saint whose thumb bled for over 400 years and whose body remained incorrupt. The liquid secreted from his body was believed to have healing properties.
Saint Charbel Makhlouf: The Lebanese hermit whose body emitted a sweet fragrance and remained incorrupt for many years after his death. People claimed to be healed through the intercession of the saint when they touched his body.
Saint Bernadette Subirous: The famous incorrupt saint known for her encounters with the Blessed Mother in Lourdes. Despite oxidation of the crucifix and rosary in her hand, her body appeared preserved from decomposition when exhumed.
Saint Oliver Plunkett: The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, executed for promoting the Catholic faith. His head, which survived the execution and fire, is displayed in a glass case in Drogheda, Ireland.
Saint Francis Xavier: A missionary who died in 1552 and was buried in different countries. His body was found fresh and incorrupt each time it was exhumed. Even after 100 years, blood was still visible on his wounds.
Saint Rita of Cascia: A saint who died in 1457 AD, known for her incorruptible body. Despite being mummified due to humidity in the area, her body is well-preserved and can be seen in the Basilica of Saint Rita in Cascia, Italy.
Saint Catherine of Genoa: Known for her care of the poor and sick during a plague. Although the wooden coffin suffered water damage, her incorrupt body was found when the coffin was removed.
Saint Cecilia: The first saint whose incorruptible body was discovered. Martyred in 177 AD, her body remained incorrupt and in a praying position when exhumed.

Incorruptible Saints: Divine Intervention or Hoax?

In some cases, the atmosphere could play a part in the slowing down of decomposition, but not always. I mean, the atmosphere would not be able to play a part with the following saints and miracles that you're about to see.

Now, for our first saint, let's travel all the way to Nevers in France. We're going to take a look at probably the most famous incorrupt saint, and that is Saint Bernadette Subirous.

Saint Bernadette Subirous: The Incorruptible Saint of Lourdes

Saint Bernadette was well-known for numerous encounters with the Blessed Mother in Lourdes. Now, Bishop Gathey of Nevers and the Catholic Church exhumed the body of Saint Bernadette on the 22nd of September 1909 in the presence of representatives appointed by the postulators of the cause, two doctors, and a sister of the community.

They claimed that, although the crucifix in her hand and her rosary had both oxidized, her body appeared incorrupt, preserved from decomposition. This was cited as one of the miracles to support her canonization.

They washed and re-clothed her body before burial in a new double casket, but that was actually a huge mistake by the nuns. As when they had washed the body of Saint Bernadette, moisture on the skin would lead to her body becoming a bit mummified later on.

Now, the church exhumed the corpse a second time on the 3rd of April 1919, on the occasion of the approval of Bernadette's canonization. Dr. Comt, who examined the body, noted: "The body is practically mummified, covered with patches of mildew and quite a notable layer of salts which appear to be calcium salts.

The skin has disappeared in some places, but it is still present on most parts of the body." So, the image that you see here was during the final examination in 1925, already more than 40 years after her death.

Now, after a few ribs were removed to be sent to Rome as relics, it was decided that the blackish color of her face might be off-putting to pilgrims, and so a light wax mask was in order. Her new face and hands were designed by Pierre Imans, a designer of fashion mannequins in Paris.

Three years later, in 1928, Dr. Comt published a report on the exhumation of Saint Bernadette. He mentioned his amazement with the state of perfect preservation of the internal organs after 46 years, especially the state of her liver. According to science, this particular organ would decompose very rapidly.

There is a mistaken notion that for a body to be considered "incorruptible," it has to be in an ideal state as if the person had just passed away moments before. This is not the case. Lorenzo Lambertini, the future Pope Benedict XIV, wrote a multi-volume examination of the canonization process that included two chapters on the "undying love of corpses.

" These chapters continue to influence how the church defines and approaches the phenomena. To be considered extraordinary, a body has to be in an unusually well-preserved state with lifelike color and freshness, lack of odor or signs of normal putrefaction, and some degree of flexibility in skin joints or both.

It has to be in this state without any human intervention or other obvious cause. People who are found intact but begin to decay rapidly after being examined or moved could not be deemed "miraculously preserved." In the case of Saint Bernadette, the high state of preservation at the first exhumation, coupled with the dampness of the clothing and decay of the rosary, was certainly remarkable.

Saint Oliver Plunkett's Head: A Shocking Relic

Saint Oliver Plunkett was the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland during the 17th century. In 1681, he was executed for treason, for promoting the Catholic faith during the Protestant Reformation.

He was hanged, drawn, and quartered in Tyburn, England. After Saint Oliver was hanged and quartered, his head was thrown into the prepared fire nearby. His friends quickly retrieved it; however, scorch marks from the fire may still be seen on the left cheek of the head.

His remains were eventually placed in various Catholic churches for veneration. Pilgrims have the opportunity to walk around the shrine and view at close quarters this precious relic of the Irish Church. One can also view the original document of authentication of the relics, which was signed shortly after Saint Oliver's martyrdom by Elizabeth Sheldon and Surgeon John Ridley.

Saint Francis Xavier: The Miraculously Preserved Missionary

Next saint is Saint Francis Xavier, who died on the 3rd of December 1552, on the Chinese island of Shangchuan at the age of 46. Before his final resting place in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in 1624, his body was buried in three different countries.

Each time the body was exhumed, it was found to be fresh and incorrupt. The body also gave off a sweet perfume fragrance, and even more than 100 years after his death, blood was still visible on his wounds. These are occurrences that science cannot explain.

Saint Francis was regarded as a saint during his lifetime and was canonized in 1662. The body, having resisted extensive decay, is now in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, where he was placed into a silver casket on December 2nd, 1637. The silver casket is lowered for public viewing only during the public exposition, which occurs for a duration of 6 weeks every 10 years.

Saint Rita of Cascia: The Sleeping Saint

Now let's look at one of the most notable saints whose body remains incorrupt, even almost after 6 centuries, and that is Saint Rita of Cascia, who died in the year 1457 AD. The incorruptible body of Saint Rita is kept in the Basilica of Saint Rita in Cascia, Italy, in a glass case and can be seen by the faithful who travel to the basilica seeking an intervention in their needs.

Her body is well preserved and appears as though she is sleeping. Her flesh is milk white, her mouth is slightly open so that one may see her white teeth. Saint Rita's body remained in a perfect state for many years after her death. However, in the 1700s, due to earthquakes and a fire that broke out, the nuns sought refuge and placed the casket with Saint Rita's body in a garden.

Unfortunately, due to the humidity of the area, her body became mummified. In addition to the incredible state of her body, there are many other mystical events surrounding the intact body.

Saint Catherine of Genoa: Caring for the Sick, Even in Death

So, if you still want to see more incorrupt saints, let's throw in a few more! How about Saint Catherine of Genoa, who died in the year 1510? She was known for caring for the poor and the sick, especially during the plague that swept the city in the late 15th century.

When she died, her body was placed in a coffin in the chapel of the hospital where she had served so selflessly. Unfortunately, the wooden coffin suffered water damage. Yet, after it was removed a year later, the body itself was found to be incorrupt.

Saint Cecilia: The First Incorruptible Saint

And finally, let's look at the first saint whose body was found to be incorrupt, and that saint was Saint Cecilia, who was martyred in 177 AD. She died from a gash wound on her neck.

Saint Cecilia was lying on her right side, her hands crossed in prayer before her. She turned her face to the floor and remained praying in that position for three days and nights. Her remains were moved to a new site in 822, and in 1599, an exhumation revealed her body to be incorrupt.

The position of her fingers—three extended on her right hand and one on the left—were her final silent profession of faith in the Holy Trinity: Three persons, one God.

Conclusions:

The phenomenon of incorruptible bodies of saints is a topic that sparks debates between those who attribute it to divine intervention and those who consider it mere coincidence or natural explanations.

The gift of incorruptibility, where the bodies of saints remain partially or completely preserved long after their deaths, is considered a sign of God's favor and a miracle by believers.

Numerous cases of incorruptible bodies of saints have been documented worldwide, with examples such as Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Saint Bernadette Subirous, Saint Oliver Plunkett, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Rita of Cascia, Saint Catherine of Genoa, and Saint Cecilia.

Scientifically, human bodies decompose rapidly after death, making the preservation of bodies or body parts an extraordinary occurrence.

While some incorruptible bodies have been attributed to the use of preservatives or favorable atmospheric conditions, many cases cannot be explained by such factors, leading to debates about divine intervention.

The Catholic Church often exhumes the bodies of potential saints during the canonization process, and the state of preservation of these bodies is considered as evidence for their holiness.

The state of preservation required for a body to be considered incorruptible does not mean it appears as if the person had just passed away. It requires an unusually well-preserved state with lifelike color and freshness, lack of odor or signs of normal putrefaction, and some degree of flexibility in the skin and joints.

The incorruptible bodies of saints, along with other miracles such as Eucharistic miracles, are seen by believers as signs pointing to the authenticity and truth of the Catholic Church.

The topic of incorruptible bodies invites reflection on mortality and the mysteries of faith, challenging individuals to consider the existence of divine intervention in the lives of saints.

Ultimately, the interpretation of incorruptible bodies of saints as divine intervention or coincidence is subjective and depends on individual beliefs and perspectives.

Others may argue that if God wanted to keep a saint incorruptible, He would keep them perfectly incorrupt until the end of time. But as it says in Ecclesiastes 3:20, "Remember your dust, and to dust, you shall return." These amazing miracles of the incorruptible saints and Eucharistic miracles are definitely clues pointing to the one true Church.

Unexplained