medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The hammer is [or was (?)] silver, and only the baptismal name (no surname)
is invoked; otherwise the traditional practice. Someone more familiar with
JPII's (recent) changes might know if that's still the practice.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terrill Heaps" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 7:06 PM
Subject: Re: [M-R] Brain-death, coma in Medieval period
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> ------------
> I assume this to be a medieval custom, but one which is (or was, as
> recently as of the death of Pope John XXII) done to determine if the
> pope is alive or dead. Some one (I think it was the Cardinal Camerlengo,
> but I won't swear to it) "knocked" on the pope's skull, with a small
> golden hammer, and said "Angelo Roncalli, are you alive or are you
> dead." And receiving no reply, pronounced the pope to be dead.
>
> Now, of course, we know about medical methods to determine if some one
> is alive. But, old usages do not willingly fall into desuetude,
> especially if there is a history behind them, and more especially if the
> history of that usage has to do with making something solemnized and
> official.
>
> Terrill
> ----------------
> Marjorie Greene wrote:
>
> > I hope that anyone who responds to this query will do so on list since
> > I also am very interested in this issue. Thanks.
>
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