The Miraculous Phenomenon of Incorruptible Saints

“The phenomenon of incorruptibility is a mystery that continues to captivate both the faithful and skeptics alike. These preserved bodies of saints serve as powerful reminders of the enduring nature of the human spirit and the potential for divine intervention in our physical world.”

~ Dr. Michael Parker, theologian and historian

After a saint dies, have you ever thought about what happens to their body? While most follow the natural process of decay, some defy explanation by remaining mysteriously preserved for years, decades, or even centuries after death. These are the incorruptible saints—holy men and women—whose bodies have resisted decomposition in ways that baffle modern science. But what exactly are incorruptible saints? How does this phenomenon occur? And what does it mean for the faithful today?

As we explore the fascinating world of incorruptible saints, we’ll uncover tales of miraculous preservation, scientific mysteries, and profound spiritual meaning that continue to inspire awe and devotion around the globe. From ancient Rome to modern-day Europe and beyond, the incorrupt bodies of saints offer a compelling glimpse into the intersection of faith, science, and the miraculous. So, settle in as we peel back the layers of this captivating religious phenomenon that has captured believers for nearly two millennia.

The Origins of Incorruptibility

To understand incorruptible saints, we must first travel back to the early days of Christianity in ancient Rome. The first recorded case of incorruptibility occurred in the 2nd century AD. In 177 AD, a young Christian woman named Cecilia faced martyrdom for her faith. The catacombs beneath the city housed her body, as was customary.

But over 1,500 years later, when they opened Cecilia’s tomb, they discovered something extraordinary. Rather than the expected dust and bones, the discovery revealed her perfectly preserved body, as if she had only recently passed away. News of this miraculous preservation spread quickly, and Cecilia became known as the first incorruptible saint.

In the centuries that followed, more cases of incorruptibility began to emerge across Europe and beyond. As Christianity spread, so too did reports of saints whose bodies defied nature’s laws after death. By the Middle Ages, incorruptibility had become an established phenomenon within the Catholic Church, seen as a divine sign of a person’s holiness and favor with God.

But what exactly constitutes incorruptibility? While definitions can vary, true incorruptibility generally refers to bodies that remain preserved without the use of artificial means, such as embalming. These saints’ bodies maintain their natural color and flexibility, often appearing as if they are merely sleeping rather than deceased. In many cases, they also emit a sweet, floral fragrance known as the “odor of sanctity.”

It’s important to note that incorruptibility is not the same as natural mummification, which can occur in certain environmental conditions. To rule out natural explanations, the Church carefully investigates potential cases of incorruptibility before declaring a saint’s body officially incorrupt.

Famous Incorruptible Saints in History

Over the centuries, the ranks of incorruptible saints have grown to include men and women from all walks of life. While estimates vary, it’s believed there are over 100 officially recognized incorruptible saints in the Catholic Church today. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most famous examples:

In 1858, St. Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary of Lourdes, France, saw apparitions of the Virgin Mary as a young girl. Exhuming her body in 1909, over 30 years after her death, revealed it to be completely intact and incorrupt. Her body remains on display in Nevers, France, to this day.

St. John Vianney: Known as the Curé of Ars, this French priest was renowned for his holiness and ability to read souls in the confessional. In 1859, his body was exhumed, revealing it to be incorrupt. Today, it rests in a glass reliquary in the Basilica of Ars.

Padre Pio: This 20th-century Italian priest and mystic was famous for bearing the stigmata (wounds of Christ) for 50 years. In 2008, his body was exhumed, revealing partial incorruptibility. His face has been covered in a lifelike silicone mask for public veneration.

St. Vincent de Paul: The 17th-century French priest known as the “Apostle of Charity” for his extensive work with the poor. In 1729, a glass case in Paris houses his incorrupt body.

St. Catherine Labouré: The 19th-century French nun who received visions of the Miraculous Medal. In 1933, researchers exhumed her body and discovered it to be incorrupt. It now rests in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.

Other notable incorruptible saints include:

St. Francis Xavier: The Jesuit missionary whose body remained incorrupt for centuries in Goa, India.
St. Zita: A 13th century Italian servant whose incorrupt body is venerated in Lucca, Italy.
Blessed Anna Maria Taigi: A 19th century Italian mystic whose body has remained flexible and lifelike since her death in 1837.
St. John Bosco: The founder of the Salesians, whose body has been on display in Turin, Italy since his death in 1888.

These are just a few examples of the many incorruptible saints venerated by the faithful. From humble peasants to renowned mystics, their preserved bodies continue to inspire devotion and awe centuries after their deaths.

How Mainstream Science Treats Incorruptibility

While the Church views incorruptibility as a miraculous sign of holiness, modern science has attempted to find natural explanations for this phenomenon. Proposals include the following theories:

Environmental factors: Certain soil conditions or tomb environments could potentially slow the decomposition process.
Embalming: Although officially ruled out in cases of true incorruptibility, some skeptics argue that secret embalming techniques may have been used.
Mummification: Natural mummification can occur in very dry or cold environments, though this differs from the soft, flexible state of incorrupt bodies.
Adipocere formation: a waxy substance that can form on corpses in certain conditions, potentially slowing decay.

However, these theories fail to fully account for the many documented cases of incorruptibility. Scientists often struggle to explain the preserved state of these saints, especially when they find their bodies intact after centuries in conditions that should have led to complete decomposition.

Moreover, science alone cannot explain other seemingly miraculous phenomena that many incorruptible saints display. These may include:

The flexibility of limbs can persist for years or even decades after death.
The emission of sweet fragrances.
Mysterious oils or blood are expelled from the body.
Even when exposed to elements or quicklime, the material resists decay.

While science continues to search for answers, the incorruptible saints remain a source of mystery and wonder for both believers and skeptics alike. Their preserved bodies stand as a testament to the limits of our scientific understanding and the enduring power of faith.

The Meaning and Significance of Incorruptibility

For Catholics and other Christians who venerate saints, incorruptibility holds deep spiritual significance. People view it as an indication of God’s blessings and the saint’s unique holiness. These bodies’ preserved state is believed to reflect the purity of the soul and foreshadow the promised resurrection of the body at the end of time.

Incorruptible saints serve as powerful reminders of the reality of the spiritual world and the eternal nature of the soul. Their bodies, seemingly untouched by death’s decay, offer hope and consolation to the faithful. They stand as a bridge between heaven and earth, allowing pilgrims to feel a tangible connection to these holy men and women who have gone before.

The Church is careful to emphasize that incorruptibility alone does not make someone a saint. We view it as a potential sign of sanctity, not a requirement for canonization. While some individuals found to be incorrupt have not received official canonization, many recognized saints did not possess incorrupt bodies.

Ultimately, the significance of incorruptibility lies not in the physical preservation itself but in what it represents: the transformative power of a life lived in close union with God. Whether their bodies decayed or not, the faithful venerate these saints for their heroic virtue and Christ-like love, which continue to inspire them long after their deaths.

Incorruptible Saints Around the World

Europe is home to many well-known incorruptible saints, but this phenomenon is not exclusive to any one area or era. Discoveries of corrupt bodies have occurred around the globe, spanning centuries of church history. Here are just a few examples of incorruptible saints from different parts of the world:

North America:

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (New York, USA)
St. John Neumann (Philadelphia, USA)

South America:

St. Rose of Lima (Peru)
St. Mariana of Jesus (Ecuador)

Asia:

St. Francis Xavier (Goa, India)
St. Andrew Dung-Lac (Vietnam)

Africa:

Blessed Victoire Rasoamanarivo (Madagascar)

Oceania:

Blessed Peter To Rot (Papua New Guinea)

These diverse examples show how the phenomenon of incorruptibility has touched all corners of the Catholic world. Whether in bustling cities or remote islands, the preserved bodies of saints continue to draw pilgrims seeking spiritual inspiration and divine intercession.

Visiting Incorruptible Saints Today

For those interested in seeing incorruptible saints firsthand, many of their bodies are on public display in churches and shrines around the world. These are some of the most popular sites for pilgrims.

St. John Vianney’s body rests in the Sanctuary of Ars in France.
The Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy, home to the saint’s incorrupt tongue
The convent of St. Bernadette in Nevers, France
San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy, where Padre Pio’s body is venerated
The Shrine of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris

When visiting these holy sites, pilgrims are encouraged to approach them with reverence and respect. While photography is often allowed, it’s important to remember that these are not mere tourist attractions but sacred relics of beloved saints. Many visitors report powerful spiritual experiences in the company of incorruptible saints, feeling a profound sense of peace and closeness to God.

Criticisms

As with many religious phenomena, incorruptible saints are not without their critics and controversies. Among them are several main points of contention.

Scientific skepticism: Many scientists argue that there must be natural explanations for the preserved state of these bodies, even if we don’t fully understand the mechanisms yet.
Accusations of fraud: Throughout history, there have been instances where individuals have artificially preserved or altered their bodies to make them appear uncorrupt. To prevent such deception, the Church now carefully investigates all potential cases.
Theological debates: Some argue that an emphasis on bodily incorruptibility can distract from the true meaning of sainthood and Christian virtue.
Protestant objections: Many Protestant denominations reject the veneration of saints and relics altogether, viewing it as a form of idolatry.

Despite these criticisms, the phenomenon of incorruptible saints continues to captivate both believers and skeptics. For many, these preserved bodies represent a mystery that transcends both science and faith, pointing to realities beyond our full comprehension.

Incorruptibility Across Traditions

Catholicism is most commonly associated with incorruptible saints, but other religious traditions have also observed similar phenomena. This suggests that the preservation of holy individuals’ bodies may be a universal spiritual concept that transcends any single faith.

Eastern Orthodox Incorruptibles:

The Eastern Orthodox Church also recognizes numerous incorruptible saints. Some notable examples include:

St. Alexander Svirsky: A 16th century Russian monk whose body was found incorrupt in 1641.
St. John the Russian: An 18th century confessor whose incorrupt body is venerated in Greece.
St. Spyridon: A 4th century bishop whose body remains flexible and lifelike on the island of Corfu.

Buddhist Traditions:

In Buddhism, the preserved bodies of certain enlightened masters are known as “Buddha relics” or “sarira.” These may include entire mummified bodies or crystalline formations found in the ashes of cremated monks. While not identical to Christian incorruptibility, these phenomena reflect a similar belief in the spiritual power manifesting in physical remains.

Tibetan Buddhism in particular has a tradition of tulkus—reincarnated masters whose bodies sometimes produce miraculous relics after death.

Sufi Islam:

While less common, there have been reports of incorruptible bodies among Sufi saints in the Islamic tradition. People often view these cases as evidence of the saint’s closeness to Allah and spiritual purity.

The presence of similar phenomena across diverse religious traditions suggests that incorruptibility may point to universal spiritual truths that transcend any single faith or culture.

Radiesthesic Investigation of Incorruptibility

A Russian researcher and author who wrote under the pseudonym Scariatin conducted one of the most notable investigations in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Scariatin’s work focused on the graves of Coptic saints in Egypt. His unique approach involved the use of physical dowsing, a technique derived from the French School of Radiesthesia developed by researchers like Chaumery and de Belizal. Using specially shaped and calibrated pendulums, Scariatin claimed to detect unique energy patterns associated with incorruptible bodies.

The most significant finding from Scariatin’s research was the discovery of a particular energy signature, which the French School of Radiestheisa called “horizontal negative green.” Scariatin claimed that this energy gradient possessed several remarkable properties.

Ability to penetrate all forms of matter
Capacity to carry information
Abundance in holy places associated with prayer and meditation
Connection to the divine
Presence in mummified bodies and other preserved remains
Used in ancient Egypt to preserve food

While Scariatin’s methods remain controversial in mainstream scientific circles, his work has opened up new avenues for exploring the energetic aspects of incorruptibility. Some researchers continue to investigate potential links between subtle energy fields and the preservation of saints’ bodies.

Esoteric Understandings of Incorruptibility

Beyond scientific explanations, many esoteric and spiritual traditions offer deeper insights into the phenomenon of incorruptibility. These perspectives often view the preserved bodies of saints as manifestations of profound spiritual attainment and divine connection.

The following are some key concepts in esoteric understandings of incorruptibility:

Subtle life-force energy: The idea that incorruptible bodies are imbued with a special vital energy that transcends normal physical laws.
Spiritual vibration: The belief that saints achieve a higher vibrational state through their devotion, which may affect their physical form even after death.
Akashic records: Some traditions hold that information about a person’s spiritual achievements may be encoded in a universal energetic archive, potentially influencing the state of their physical remains.
Divine preservation: The concept that God directly intervenes to preserve the bodies of certain holy individuals as a sign of their sanctity.

These esoteric perspectives offer a bridge between scientific inquiry and religious faith, suggesting that incorruptibility may be a complex phenomenon involving both physical and spiritual factors.

The Future of Incorruptibility

As we look to the future, what role will incorruptible saints play in the lives of the church and the wider world? While traditional religious devotion may be declining in some areas, interest in spiritual phenomena like incorruptibility remains strong. As modern saints such as Padre Pio join the ranks of the incorruptibles, researchers continue to investigate new cases.

Advances in science may shed new light on the mechanisms behind bodily preservation, potentially offering natural explanations for some cases. However, it’s likely that many incorruptible saints will continue to defy full scientific understanding.

For believers, these holy men and women will likely continue to serve as powerful intercessors and sources of inspiration. Their preserved bodies offer a tangible connection to the communion of saints and a foretaste of the promised resurrection.

Regardless of one’s religious or scientific perspective, the incorruptible saints never cease to evoke reverence, devotion, and astonishment at the enigmas of this life and the next. As we marvel at their enduring preservation, we are reminded of our own transience and the impressions we shall leave behind when this life comes to a close.

Further Reading:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. The Incorruptibles: A Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic Saints and Beati. TAN Books (1977).

Daley, Jason. “The Science of Saintly Bodies.” Smithsonian Magazine, February 16, 2017.

Giorgi, Rosa. Saints in Art, Getty Publications, 2003.