The Incorruptibles (Miracles, Part 6)

Mr Plese continues his series on miracles. Part 1 is Miracles As Proof That Catholicism Is From God, Part 2 is Miracles As Testified in the Holy Scriptures, Part 3 is Miracles Worked by the Saints Throughout the Centuries, Part 4 is Miracles Worked by Modern-Day Saints, and Part 5 is The Stigmata.

From One Peter Five

By Matthew Plese, TOP

This article is the sixth in a 10-part series that will explore miracles as proof of the truths of Catholic doctrine. In this installment, we consider the incorruptibles. Why do the bodies of various holy men and women fail to naturally decompose, despite having died centuries ago? This miracle further collaborates the truth of the Catholic religion as the one true religion established by God.

Father John Hardon defines a miracle as follows: “A sensibly perceptible effect, surpassing at least the powers of visible nature, produced by God to witness to some truth or testify to someone’s sanctity.” Along with reason, miracles provide the Catholic apologist with effective tools to defend the veracity of Catholic teaching to those who question, doubt, or outright deny it.

What Does It Mean to be an Incorruptible?

Discussions about death are often avoided in modern society, particularly in Western culture. While those in professions dealing with mortality—such as undertakers and pathologists—may frequently confront the subject, most people shy away from contemplating their own end. However, death is inevitable for all, and Catholic teaching emphasizes that it is only the beginning of a greater reality. The Four Last Things—Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell—remind us that our eternal destiny hinges on the decisions we make in this life. Ignoring this reality is itself a choice, one that carries the gravest of consequences.

Yet amidst this sobering truth, the Catholic Church provides miraculous signs that point toward the glory of the afterlife. Among these are the incorruptible saints—men and women whose bodies have been miraculously preserved from decay after death. Their incorruptibility serves as a witness to their extraordinary holiness, reminding the faithful of the eternal reward that awaits those who persevere in sanctity by dying in the state of grace.

Throughout Catholic history, one of the most remarkable and mysterious phenomena associated with sanctity is the existence of incorrupt saints. These are men and women whose bodies have defied the natural process of decomposition after death, remaining in an unexplainable state of preservation for years, decades, or even centuries. Their incorruption is viewed by many as a divine sign of their holiness and an affirmation of the supernatural power of God.

The term “incorruptible” refers to the extraordinary preservation of a deceased person’s body without the use of artificial means such as embalming or mummification. While natural cases of partial preservation can occur due to environmental conditions, the incorruptibles of the Catholic Church stand apart due to the inexplicable nature of their preservation and the frequent association with sanctity and miraculous occurrences. No other religion can boast of such miracles.

Many of these saints’ bodies have been exhumed years after their death, often in the context of their canonization process, only to be discovered in a remarkable state of preservation. In some cases, their skin remains soft, their limbs flexible, and their faces serene, as if they were merely sleeping. While some bodies eventually succumb to decay, others remain in a state of partial or near-complete incorruption even centuries later.

The Church does not consider incorruption to be a requirement for sainthood, nor does it automatically recognize it as miraculous. However, when an incorrupt body is discovered, it often strengthens the case for canonization. Investigations into incorrupt saints involve thorough scientific examination to rule out natural causes of preservation. Despite this, many cases remain unexplained.

Historically, incorruption has been seen as a sign of divine favor, symbolizing the saint’s purity and closeness to God as rooted in Psalm 15:10: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.” While this verse primarily refers to Christ, the phenomenon of incorrupt saints has often been viewed as a foretaste of the resurrection of the body.

Examples of Incorruptible Saints

One of the most famous incorrupt saints, St. Bernadette (pictured above) was the visionary of Lourdes, France, who received apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. She died in 1879 and was exhumed multiple times – each time being found remarkably well-preserved. Today, her body lies in the Chapel of St. Gildard in Nevers, France, where pilgrims from around the world visit her remains, which appear as if she was sleeping.

One of the great mystics in the Church, St. Catherine of Siena’s body was found largely incorrupt decades after her death. Though her body was later divided among several churches—a common practice for relic veneration—her head remains perfectly preserved and is displayed in the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena, Italy.

Known for his charitable work and dedication to the poor, St. Vincent de Paul’s body was exhumed more than 50 years after his death and found to be remarkably preserved. His body is displayed in a reliquary in Paris, though over time, it has darkened due to natural causes.

The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney lived a life of intense holiness and mortification. When his body was exhumed, it was discovered to be incorrupt, and it is now displayed in a glass case in Ars, France, where thousands visit each year.

St. Rita of Cascia is one of the most venerated incorrupt saints, known for her devotion to Christ and her ability to intercede in desperate cases. Her body remains in a shrine in Cascia, Italy, where it shows little decay even centuries after her passing.

Another incorrupt saint from the early Church is Saint Silvan, believed to have been martyred during the brutal persecution under Emperor Diocletian in the late third or early fourth century. Little is known about his life, but his body, which remains incorrupt, is displayed under glass at the Church of Saint Blaise in Dubrovnik, Croatia. His throat bears a visible wound, indicating the means of his martyrdom. His incorruptibility, lasting over 1,500 years, is a powerful sign of his sanctity.

Spend some time today exploring some of the many incorruptible saints on the list: The Incorruptible Saints

Shortcomings of Scientific Examinations of Incorruptibility

While skeptics attribute incorruptibility to natural causes such as environmental conditions, soil composition, or unknown preservation techniques, many cases defy conventional explanations. Unlike artificially preserved bodies, which undergo embalming or chemical treatments, the incorrupt saints were not subjected to such procedures, yet their bodies remained free from decay for centuries (and counting).

Modern scientific investigations have sought to understand these occurrences, yet no single explanation has been able to account for all known cases. Some scientists propose that the unique conditions of the burial sites, humidity levels, and temperature may contribute to the preservation. However, this does not explain why many incorruptibles remain flexible and lifelike, nor why others decay suddenly after exhumation. And it does not explain why holy men and women of the Catholic Faith alone experience this phenomenon.

The Miracle of Incorruptibility Attests to the Truth of Catholicism

The phenomenon of incorruptibility serves as a profound testament to the sanctity of these individuals. It is often accompanied by other signs, such as a sweet fragrance emanating from the body (known as the “odor of sanctity”) and healing miracles associated with their relics.

The mystery of the incorruptibles remains one of the most fascinating aspects of our Catholic tradition. Whether viewed as divine intervention or a supernatural mystery, these saints continue to inspire devotion and awe among the faithful. Their bodies, preserved against the odds, stand as a silent yet powerful testament to the holiness of their lives, the hope of eternal life for all who follow in their footsteps, and that the Catholic Religion is from God.

A homily of Pope St. Gregory on the miracle of the Lord restoring sight to a blind man likewise can be applied to us today – the miracles wrought by God to and through the saints are proof of His hand at work:

Foreseeing that the disciples’ spirits would be shaken as a result of His Passion, our Redeemer warned them a long time beforehand of both His painful Suffering and His glorious Resurrection. Thus, when they beheld Him dying – just as had been foretold – they would not doubt that He was also going to rise again. But since the disciples, still earthbound, were in no way capable of really comprehending the words of the mystery, a miracle was provided: before their eyes a blind man received the light. And so heavenly deeds strengthened the faith of those who failed to grasp the words of the heavenly mystery.[1]

These saints, untouched by decay, stand as a testament to the words of Scripture: “The just shall live forever, and their reward is with the Lord” (Wisdom 5:15). And we know that they can hear our prayers. May they intercede for us and may these miracles strengthen our faith and bring the conversion of many to the Catholic Faith!

Conclusion

The miracle of the incorruptibles confounds the Church’s enemies who are unable to explain or deny the phenomena that affects only some of the holiest Catholic men and women – not those of any other religion. In the next installment we will consider some of the miracles and apparitions of the Mother of God, including those attributed to her Holy Rosary.

[1] Pope St. Gregory, Homily 2 on the Gospels, Part of Matins of Quinquagesima Sunday.

Picured: The incorruptible body of St Virginia Centurione Bracelli, (2 April 1587 – 15 December 1651)