medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
So far, nobody has mentioned the perhaps obvious fact that this modern examination of a saint's body relics quite closely reflects medieval practice. Although, perhaps, modern examiners are not so obsessively concerned with reporting on the unchanged state of the saint's body -- let alone the fragrance of holiness emanating from the remains -- the comment on the whiteness of his teeth certainly reflects such an expectation. Such examinations were a very high-profile aspect of the medieval cult of saints. What has always perplexed me, however, is the exact motivation for such examinations. They don't seem to reflect doubt about the authenticity of the saint's relics, but rather enthusiasm for them. If anyone can enunciate further the motivation for such examinations, in a medieval context of course, I'd be very interested.
Cheers,
Jim
________________________________________
From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Carol Anne Fountain Cimini [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: October 17, 2012 6:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] St Francis exhumed
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Here is a further reference of St Francis' exhumation
Hugs
Carol
-----Original Message-----
From: John Shinners
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] St Francis exhumed
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Adrian House's bio of Francis, "Francis of Assisi, A Revolutionary Life"
(2000) has a color picture of his remains from the 1978 exhumation. House
also recounts scholarly/medical opinion about the possible causes of his
death (pp. 261-63: inconclusive). He mentions that the skeleton's
dimensions suggest that Francis was 5'3". He also mentions that John
Moorman (who likewise wrote a bio) was present at the 1978 exhumation and
commented on how white Francis' teeth were (94).
Best,
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "George Piero FERZOCO" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 11:37:49 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] St Francis exhumed
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear Anna,
In 1818, Pope Pius VII ordered a *recognitio* of Francis's remains. As I
recall, only bones were found. These were placed in a bronze casket in a
stone sarcophagus under the high altar of the lower basilica of St Francis.
In early 1978, Pope Paul VI ordered an re-examination of these remains of
Francis. If I remember correctly, the remains were put into a glass or
plexiglass box, but whether they were put on display as such, or simply
placed back in the casket and sarcophagus immediately, I do not recall. I
might be in Assisi next month, and will inform myself and, in turn, you,
should no one else shed further light on this.
I think the recognition was just that -- a declaration that these were
indeed the remains of Francis -- and not in any way a forsenic study.
Best wishes, George
On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 2:41 PM, Anna Kirkwood Graham < [log in to unmask] >
wrote:
Â
 Greetings, listmembers,
I have read that St. Francis of Assisi's body was moved during the late
1970s, and while it was "out," his remains were subjected to scientific
analysis. I have not been able to determine, however, whether the results
of the analysis were ever published. Does anyone on this list know?
Many thanks,
Anna
Anna Kirkwood Graham, J.D., Ph.D.
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--
John Shinners
Professor, Schlesinger Chair in Humanistic Studies
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: 574-284-4494 or 574-284-4534
Fax: 284-4855
www.saintmarys.edu/~hust
"Learn everything. Later you will see that nothing is superfluous." --
Hugh of St. Victor (d. 1141)
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