Posted on 04/16/2016 8:01:29 AM PDT by Salvation
Q. Can you explain about the incorruptibles? I know that some saints are given that designation, but is it part of the process of canonization? What does it mean spiritually if a body is incorrupt? Was St. John XXIII found to be incorrupt?
Name withheld by request, via e-mail
A. The normal process of decay for the human body, especially before embalming was common, was for the remains of a cadaver to be largely skeletonized within just a few years after death. In certain rare cases, however, the usual process of decay seems arrested and the bodies are preserved largely intact.
This fact has been observed in a number of cases regarding Catholic saints.
As part of the process of canonization, the bodily remains of the saints are usually exhumed and examined. In not a few cases, their bodies are found to have escaped the usual decay and corruption that is the lot of the typical human body, which returns to the dust from which it came.
In addition, there is sometimes a pleasant fragrance like roses emanating from the body of those found incorrupt.
Generally speaking, when the body of a candidate for sainthood is found incorrupt, this is looked upon favorably by the Church as a sign of sanctity since, implicitly, the individual has escaped the full consequences of the punishment due to sin. For Adam was told after he sinned, “For you are dust, / and to dust you shall return” (Gn 3:19).
However, to be sure, though incorruptibility is looked upon favorably, it is not an absolute requirement for canonization, for many canonized saints are not listed among the incorruptibles.
Further, natural phenomena — for example, lack of oxygen — can also explain the lengthy preservation of bodies.
Pope St. John XXIII’s body was found largely intact when exhumed. This was judged to be the result of unusually extensive embalming before his entombment.
But it is also important not to be misled by the term incorruptible.
It does not necessarily mean that the person looks exactly as they did the day the casket was closed. The usual condition of an incorruptible is more akin to a kind of mummified state. Though the skin and organs may be largely intact, and still flexible, most of the moisture of the body has departed, producing a mummified look.
Further, when one looks at the bodies of incorruptible saints in some of the churches of Europe, a wax mask of sorts often covers the face and hands.
Most notably, the beautiful face of St. Bernadette, the visionary of Lourdes, that people see when they visit Nevers, France, actually includes a wax mask that covers the face and hands of her incorrupt body. Her actual face has a more mummified appearance, as seen in photos of her exhumed body. Her body is incorrupt, but her face and hands (visible outside her habit) are not as moist and fully featured as when she was alive.
So we ought not have a notion that is too exaggerated about what an incorruptible body looks like. They have surely evaded the usual human condition which reduces us to dust and bones, but they seldom look like the very day they died.
Monsignor Pope Ping for OSV column.
Wow....just when I thought catholicism couldn’t veer off the road any further.
I'm not going to take a picture off the internet and make a decision.
BTTT
Lead poisoning preserves the body a bit too. Lead cups and plates were common.
#5 ~ With the worship of Mary, yes...Catholicism has veered off the road. ~
Catholics do not worship Mary (a common misperception) although they do venerate her.
Three terms used by Catholics are dulia, hyperdulia and latria.
Dulia is a Greek term meaning the veneration or homage, different in nature and degree from that given to God, that is paid to the saints. It includes, for example, honoring the saints and seeking their intercession with God. Related to dulia is Hyperdulia, the special veneration accorded the Blessed Virgin Mary because of her unique role in the mystery of Redemption, her exceptional gifts of grace from God, and her pre eminence among the saints.
Hyperdulia is not adoration; only God is adored. Such adoration reserved exclusively for God is termed latria, a Greek-rooted Latin term that refers to that form of praise and worship due to God alone.
You’re welcome.
This isn’t about Mary.....it is about incorruptibles.
Prayers up for you.
You can call it anything you want to make yourself feel better...but it's worship.
Catholics don’t worship Mary, and this is a current picture of St. Bernadette, who died in 1876. Pretty remarkable, IMO.
>>5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.<<
“With the worship of Mary, yes...I’m not going to take a picture off the internet and make a decision.”
But you will cling to the lie that Catholics worship the Blessed Virgin Mary until...until what? What could possibly disabuse you of that error?
See post 13.
“Does this look like the body of a person that’s been dead since 1879 ... 10 years of that in the ground?”
No, but in all fairness to eagleone - who seems to know less about Christianity than he does about other things - that is how we would all look if our bodies were covered in wax. St. Bernadette of Lourdes body is incorruptible but very desiccated. What you’re looking at is a wax covered body. Lenin looks the same way - because of the wax. His body was embalmed and is still corrupt. St. Bernadette’s is covered in wax, but is incorrupt. http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/bernbody.htm
Reason, common sense, scripture, logic, history, art, literature, science, tradition - all of these are wasted on someone who is determined to be a bigot.
“When you have statues/idols you kneel in front of, offers prayers to and rely upon for salvation....it’s worship.”
Except we don’t offer prayers to statues. And we don’t rely on them for our salvation. Those facts won’t stop you from spreading falsehoods, however.
“You can call it anything you want to make yourself feel better...but it’s worship.”
You can call spreading falsehoods anything you want to make yourself feel better...but it’s still mendacity.
See post 13. When Catholics rely on this for salvation it’s worship. It replaces faith in Christ with faith in whatever this apparition is.
Open forum.
“See post 13.”
Did.
When Catholics rely on this for salvation it’s worship.”
1) No one does.
2) Worship is adoration. Praying the Rosary is not.
“It replaces faith in Christ with faith in whatever this apparition is.”
No, actually it doesn’t.
You can continue to make error after error as you always do. You’ll be refuted again and again as you always are. Nothing will change. We’ll still have the truth and you’ll still cling to anti-Catholicism - which apparently is your true religion.
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