Constructing the 'Incorruptibles'
BORIS DOI
Subtitle
devotions, policies and material culture in the making of a Catholic cult in Italy (c. 1750–1950)
Abstract
Incorrupt bodies remain a compelling, contested phenomenon in Christian history, serving as powerful devotional objects and signs of sanctity. Shifting the focus from the Middle Ages and Early Modern era, this study examines incorruptibility as a modern phenomenon, centered on Italy (1750–1950). Based on over 180 cases, the research combines institutional history with "lived religion," analyzing how Church authorities regulated these cults while devotees sustained them. Using a material culture lens, it traces the "biography" of corpses through artifacts like glass cases and medical reports. Ultimately, it reveals how institutions and the faithful negotiated the material boundaries of holiness amidst secularization.
Date of Publication
2025
Year of graduation
2025
Theses Type
dissertation
Keyword(s)
Material Culture
•
Catholicism
•
Popular culture
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Dead Bodies
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Lived Religion
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Long nineteenth century
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Faculty/Graduate School
Access(Rights)
open.access
Primary OA Publication
true