Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs

Koudounaris (The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses) provides the largely forgotten story of the katakombenheiligen, skeletons unearthed from Roman catacombs, intricately adorned with jewels and worshiped as martyrs, along with 90 extraordinary color photographs. The "saints," though essentially unverified, buoyed Catholic spirits in German-speaking regions during the uncertainty of the Protestant Reformation and were unceremoniously abandoned with embarrassment by the early 19th century. These supposed-sacred remains served as protectors and patron saints as well as generated massive profits in donation. They were credited with miracle cures and all sorts of healing%E2%80%94from breaking a fever to reviving the dead. Lovers prayed to a skeletal St. Valentine whereas St. Maximus was venerated by the poor. Koudounaris examines the "slipshod" process used by Church officials to authenticate the relics as martyrs. He also details their restoration and decoration, most notably the handiwork of Dominican nuns in Ennetach and master goldsmith Adalbart Eder. Some of the striking images include St. Deodatus in armor seated on a throne, a wax face mask concealing his skull and St. Gratian dressed in Roman military attire designed by Eder. Finally, Koudounaris recounts the backlash against the relics by Protestants and Catholics alike and their unfortunate fates. The images of the catacomb saints are dazzling, almost beyond belief, and their story captures an interesting moment of uncertainty in the Catholic Church and even some insight into the psychology of worship. 105 illus. (Oct.)