The claims
Each entry pairs a reported miracle with the documentary record and an honest, confidence-labeled estimate of how likely it is that no natural explanation accounts for it.
Each entry pairs a reported miracle with the documentary record and an honest, confidence-labeled estimate of how likely it is that no natural explanation accounts for it.
9 claims
Lebanese Maronite monk Charbel Makhlouf died in 1898; his body was found incorrupt in a flooded grave in 1899 and reportedly exuded a blood-like fluid for 67 years until beatification in 1965, when it was found finally decomposed.
Lebanese Maronite monk Charbel Makhlouf died in 1898; his body was found incorrupt in a flooded grave in 1899 and reportedly exuded a blood-like fluid for 67 years until beatification in 1965, when it was found finally decomposed.
1% authenticRelics claimed to be the charred remains of Joan of Arc, held in a Chinon pharmacy bottle since 1867, were analyzed in 2009–2010 by a multidisciplinary forensic team and confirmed to be a mummified cat leg bone and a human rib dating to the 6th–3rd century BC — Egyptian mummy components, not Joan's remains.
Relics claimed to be the charred remains of Joan of Arc, held in a Chinon pharmacy bottle since 1867, were analyzed in 2009–2010 by a multidisciplinary forensic team and confirmed to be a mummified cat leg bone and a human rib dating to the 6th–3rd century BC — Egyptian mummy components, not Joan's remains.
In January–March 1933, eleven-year-old Mariette Beco of Banneux, Belgium, reported eight apparitions of the Virgin Mary who identified herself as 'the Virgin of the Poor' and directed her to a spring 'for all nations.'
In January–March 1933, eleven-year-old Mariette Beco of Banneux, Belgium, reported eight apparitions of the Virgin Mary who identified herself as 'the Virgin of the Poor' and directed her to a spring 'for all nations.'
Between November 1932 and January 1933, five Belgian children reported 33 apparitions of the Virgin Mary appearing above a hawthorn tree near a convent school in Beauraing, Belgium.
Between November 1932 and January 1933, five Belgian children reported 33 apparitions of the Virgin Mary appearing above a hawthorn tree near a convent school in Beauraing, Belgium.
Padre Pio's body was exhumed in 2008, found in good condition, but chemical analysis revealed it had been treated with high-concentration formalin, creosote, benzoic acid, and turpentine — deliberate embalming, not miraculous preservation.
Padre Pio's body was exhumed in 2008, found in good condition, but chemical analysis revealed it had been treated with high-concentration formalin, creosote, benzoic acid, and turpentine — deliberate embalming, not miraculous preservation.
When John XXIII was exhumed in 2001 after 37 years, his face appeared intact and serene; the Vatican explicitly attributed this to embalming with formalin, hermetic sealing in multiple coffins, and Prof. Golia's proprietary preservation treatment — not to miracle.
When John XXIII was exhumed in 2001 after 37 years, his face appeared intact and serene; the Vatican explicitly attributed this to embalming with formalin, hermetic sealing in multiple coffins, and Prof. Golia's proprietary preservation treatment — not to miracle.
Archbishop John Maximovitch (1896-1966), canonized in 1994, was found with largely incorrupt remains at a 1993 exhumation in San Francisco — his face, hands, and beard visibly preserved 27 years after death.
Archbishop John Maximovitch (1896-1966), canonized in 1994, was found with largely incorrupt remains at a 1993 exhumation in San Francisco — his face, hands, and beard visibly preserved 27 years after death.
A French man with advanced multiple sclerosis recovered after a 1987 Lourdes pilgrimage — recognized as a miracle in 1999 after a twelve-year medical review.
A French man with advanced multiple sclerosis recovered after a 1987 Lourdes pilgrimage — recognized as a miracle in 1999 after a twelve-year medical review.
On a date announced three months in advance, a crowd of tens of thousands reported the sun spinning, changing color, and plunging toward the earth.
On a date announced three months in advance, a crowd of tens of thousands reported the sun spinning, changing color, and plunging toward the earth.