Christian Mummification
An Interpretative History of the Preservation of Saints, Martyrs and Others
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About the Book
A mention of mummification immediately brings to mind the ancient Egyptians—but 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 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, the book sheds light on a relatively unstudied aspect of the Roman Catholic faith.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Ken Jeremiah
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 272
Bibliographic Info: 56 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6519-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8979-4
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Preface 1
Introduction 3
I. World Mummification
1. Mummification and Critical Thinking 9
2. The Science of Mummification 12
3. Natural Mummies 15
4. Artificial Mummies 18
5. Other Forms of Mummification 22
6. Relic-Bodies 26
7. Death and the Unknown: The Allure of Mummies 32
II. Mummies in Italy
8. Critical Thinking, Self-Reflection, and Mummy Studies 37
9. The Roman Catacombs 40
10. The Cult of the Martyrs 43
11. The Catacombs in Palermo 49
12. The Chapel of the Dead and the Skull Cathedral 53
13. Mummies of Ferentillo and San Domenico Maggiore; Papal Funerals 57
14. Polytheistic Elements of the Faith 64
III. Saints and Relics
15. The Enigmatic Catholic Saint 73
16. The History of Saint Making 78
17. Stigmata and Other Miracles 82
18. Modern Saints 88
19. Asceticism in the Catholic Faith 92
20. The Importance of Physical Remains 96
21. The Cult of the Dead 100
IV. Incorruptible Bodies
22. The Incorruptibles 107
23. Miraculous Preservation 111
24. The Preserved Bodies in Rome, Assisi and Mantova 116
25. Mummies in Florence, Naples and Sicily 122
26. Mummies in Other Parts of Italy 125
27. The Importance of the Incorruptibles 128
28. Preservation in Christianity 132
V. Influences from Other Cultures
29. Mummification in Roman Society 141
30. The Old Testament 148
31. Historical Evidence 151
32. Immaculate Conception and the Resurrection 161
33. Mithra: The Zoroastrian God of the Sun 167
34. Pythagoras and Dionysus 170
35. The Cult of Osiris 174
VI. The Egyptian Influence
36. Egyptian Influences in Italy 181
37. Alexandria and Coptic Christianity 188
38. Early Egyptian Religious Beliefs 192
39. Burial Practices 196
40. The Holy Trinity: Isis, Horus and Osiris 199
41. Religious Rituals and Practices 204
42. Integration and Assimilation 209
VII. The Reasons Behind Christian Mummification
43. The Bodily Preservation of Jesus 215
44. The Rapture 217
45. Early Concepts of the Soul 223
46. The Power Inherent in Bodily Remains 226
47. Foreign Influences 229
48. Enduring Virtuosity 233
49. Symbols of Life and Death 236
Appendix: Locations of Select Mummies or Bodily Relics in Italy 241
Chapter Notes 247
Bibliography 253
Index 261
