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.
12 claims
Angela of Foligno, the 13th-century Franciscan tertiary and mystic, died in 1309; her body is kept in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Foligno, with incorruptibility claimed but no modern forensic verification available.
Angela of Foligno, the 13th-century Franciscan tertiary and mystic, died in 1309; her body is kept in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Foligno, with incorruptibility claimed but no modern forensic verification available.
The Venerable Bede, in his Prose Life of St. Cuthbert (c. 721 CE) and Ecclesiastical History (731 CE), catalogues dozens of miracles by the Northumbrian bishop including post-mortem healings from his incorrupt body.
The Venerable Bede, in his Prose Life of St. Cuthbert (c. 721 CE) and Ecclesiastical History (731 CE), catalogues dozens of miracles by the Northumbrian bishop including post-mortem healings from his incorrupt body.
Imelda Lambertini died in 1333 at age 11, reportedly from an ecstatic episode immediately after receiving her first Eucharist; her body was found incorrupt and is displayed in a wax effigy in Bologna, though independent scientific examination is lacking.
Imelda Lambertini died in 1333 at age 11, reportedly from an ecstatic episode immediately after receiving her first Eucharist; her body was found incorrupt and is displayed in a wax effigy in Bologna, though independent scientific examination is lacking.
A German priest celebrating Mass in Bolsena reportedly experienced a bleeding host that stained the corporal linen; the event allegedly prompted Pope Urban IV to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.
A German priest celebrating Mass in Bolsena reportedly experienced a bleeding host that stained the corporal linen; the event allegedly prompted Pope Urban IV to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.
A 13th-century account describes a consecrated host stolen for a sorceress beginning to bleed, leading to its veneration in Santarém, Portugal, where it is still displayed in a crystal reliquary.
A 13th-century account describes a consecrated host stolen for a sorceress beginning to bleed, leading to its veneration in Santarém, Portugal, where it is still displayed in a crystal reliquary.
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.
Margaret of Cortona, a 13th-century penitent, died in 1297; her body has been displayed in the Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona for over 700 years and is described as incorrupt, though no modern independent forensic examination has been published.
Margaret of Cortona, a 13th-century penitent, died in 1297; her body has been displayed in the Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona for over 700 years and is described as incorrupt, though no modern independent forensic examination has been published.
Rita of Cascia, patron of impossible causes, died in 1457; her body has been on display for nearly 600 years, with documented medical examinations in 1743 and 1892 noting repairs to the face using wax and string — indicating partial deterioration.
Rita of Cascia, patron of impossible causes, died in 1457; her body has been on display for nearly 600 years, with documented medical examinations in 1743 and 1892 noting repairs to the face using wax and string — indicating partial deterioration.
Zita of Lucca's body, exhumed and found incorrupt in 1580, has been on display in the Church of San Frediano for over 700 years; a 1988 University of Pisa examination confirmed it as a case of natural mummification, browned and wizened.
Zita of Lucca's body, exhumed and found incorrupt in 1580, has been on display in the Church of San Frediano for over 700 years; a 1988 University of Pisa examination confirmed it as a case of natural mummification, browned and wizened.
Francis of Assisi reportedly received the five wounds of Christ at Mount La Verna in September 1224, documented by contemporaries including Thomas of Celano and witnessed by brothers who saw the marks on his body before and after his death.
Francis of Assisi reportedly received the five wounds of Christ at Mount La Verna in September 1224, documented by contemporaries including Thomas of Celano and witnessed by brothers who saw the marks on his body before and after his death.
A relic said to date from the 8th century — when a host and wine reportedly became flesh and blood — was analyzed in 1971 and reported to be human heart muscle and blood.
A relic said to date from the 8th century — when a host and wine reportedly became flesh and blood — was analyzed in 1971 and reported to be human heart muscle and blood.
A linen cloth bearing the faint image of a crucified man — revered as Christ's burial shroud, radiocarbon-dated to the medieval period, and disputed ever since.
A linen cloth bearing the faint image of a crucified man — revered as Christ's burial shroud, radiocarbon-dated to the medieval period, and disputed ever since.