St. Anthony lived from 1195-1232. He was originally an Augustinian monk and later became a Franciscan monk and was a disciple to St. Francis of Assisi. When he died, it was said that many miracles were performed at his tomb for months afterward. He was canonized one year after his death as the patron saint of lost things. So if you lose something, he is the one you ask for help!
The tour lasted from the 17th to the 24th of October and hosted a piece of St. Anthony's rib and a slice of his cheek.
Lastly, he was known as a great orator. When they exhumed his body to move it to its new home, his tongue and throat were still intact. One of the miracles that was witnessed.
To read more on this tour, go to:
http://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2013/10/21/relics-on-tour-st-anthony-of-padua-visits-ireland/
I wonder why there is a stray piece of his cheek? It always surprises me when I hear of some of the items that were considered relics in the medieval world, as well as in the modern Catholic world.
ReplyDeleteThat was an excellent link that you posted. Beautiful photos of Irish pilgrims kissing the relics and creating secondary relics with handkerchiefs, or even on cameras! I had not realized that he was originally from Lisbon.
ReplyDeleteDylan--divisio, or division was practiced with relics in the Middle Ages. There was no sense of whole body as perfect, and bodies were frequently broken down to share the wealth. A hair, a breast, a cheek, a right arm--these are all equivalents and important. Size did not matter. Some might be considered more valuable though, in the competitive religious world, so someone who had a cheek of a famous preacher perhaps scores a little higher than having a toenail!
We did not get a chance to discuss dissection in the Middle Ages on Friday--but it did occur. One small bit of evidence that they knew about the insides of bodies is with the work done on embalming and saint's bodies and autopsies to prove holiness from within. The idea that they did not dissect in the Middle Ages is a myth.
The second photo, of the man holding the relic containing St. Anthony's cheek looks as though he might drop it. I wonder what would happen to him if he did.
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