Christian Mummification: An Interpretative History of the Preservation of Saints, Martyrs and Others

by Jeremiah, Ken

• ISBN13: 9780786465194
• ISBN10: 0786465190
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-12
• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc Pub

Summary

Although the mention of mummification immediately brings to mind the ancient Egyptians, the Roman Catholic Church has long used the practice to preserve notable members of its faith. In Italy alone, more than 300 preserved bodies appear on display in churches and cathedrals--the mummified remains of saints, priests, martyrs, and other high-ranking Roman Catholic officials. This study explores the history of Roman Catholic mummification, which continues to this day in the use of New Kingdom Egyptian mummification procedures on popes. It explores various types of mummies, the connections between the Catholic Church and Egyptian religious practices, the treatment of the dead by Christians other faiths, and the veritable cult that has arisen in Italy surrounding the saints whose bodies are preserved. By examining this unusual practice from both scientific and cultural perspectives, this work sheds light on a relatively unstudied aspect of the Roman Catholic faith.

Author Biography

Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about spiritual and religious phenomena. He lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and runs tour groups to Japan, Italy, and other countries yearly.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vii
Preface	p. 1
Introduction	p. 3
World Mummification
Mummification and Critical Thinking	p. 9
The Science of Mummification	p. 12
Natural Mummies	p. 15
Artificial Mummies	p. 18
Other Forms of Mummification	p. 22
Relic-Bodies	p. 26
Death and the Unknown: The Allure of Mummies	p. 32
Mummies in Italy
Critical Thinking, Self-Reflection, and Mummy Studies	p. 37
The Roman Catacombs	p. 40
The Cult of the Martyrs	p. 43
The Catacombs in Palermo	p. 49
The Chapel of the Dead and the Skull Cathedral	p. 53
Mummies of Ferentillo and San Domenico Maggiore; Papal Funerals	p. 57
Polytheistic Elements of the Faith	p. 64
Saints and Relics
The Enigmatic Catholic Saint	p. 73
The History of Saint Making	p. 78
Stigmata and Other Miracles	p. 82
Modern Saints	p. 88
Asceticism in the Catholic Faith	p. 92
The Importance of Physical Remains	p. 96
The Cult of the Dead	p. 100
Incorruptible Bodies
The Incorruptibles	p. 107
Miraculous Preservation	p. 111
The Preserved Bodies in Rome, Assisi and Mantova	p. 116
Mummies in Florence, Naples and Sicily	p. 122
Mummies in Other Parts of Italy	p. 125
The Importance of the Incorruptibles	p. 128
Preservation in Christianity	p. 132
Influences from Other Cultures
Mummification in Roman Society	p. 141
The Old Testament	p. 148
Historical Evidence	p. 151
Immaculate Conception and the Resurrection	p. 161
Mithra: The Zoroastrian God of the Sun	p. 167
Pythagoras and Dionysus	p. 170
The Cult of Osiris	p. 174
The Egyptian Influence
Egyptian Influences in Italy	p. 181
Alexandria and Coptic Christianity	p. 188
Early Egyptian Religious Beliefs	p. 192
Burial Practices	p. 196
The Holy Trinity: Isis, Horus and Osiris	p. 199
Religious Rituals and Practices	p. 204
Integration and Assimilation	p. 209
The Reasons Behind Christian Mummification
The Bodily Preservation of Jesus	p. 215
The Rapture	p. 217
Early Concepts of the Soul	p. 223
The Power Inherent in Bodily Remains	p. 226
Foreign Influences	p. 229
Enduring Virtuosity	p. 233
Symbols of Life and Death	p. 236
Locations of Select Mummies or Bodily Relics in Italy	p. 241
Chapter Notes	p. 247
Bibliography	p. 253
Index	p. 261
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