Miraculous Healings of Paralysis: A Preliminary Study on Sources
By Amir Muzur and Iva Rincic
Collegium Antropologicum, Vol.37 No.1 (2013)
Fresco featuring Saint Bernardino of Siena – photo by Fm2001 / Wikimedia Commons
Abstract: The aim of the present paper has been to explore the medieval evidence on miraculous healings of paralysis and to confront it with modern medical knowledge. Paralysis has been selected as a model for such a study and St. Bernardino of Siena (1380–1444) as a model of a saintly healer. Analyzed were the primary sources and modern literature. Paralysis was found to be among the most frequent diseases in medieval miracle reports, including the healings by St. Bernardino. According to the hypothesis offered in the paper, the majority of medieval cases of »miraculously healed paralysis« was of conversive origin.
Introduction: Popular Christian culture, as well as many other religions, are quite familiar with the phenomenon of the invocation of saints, motivated by the belief that they are able to cure diseases. Saints even used to »specialize« for some diseases, according to certain linguistic or iconographic associations. Just for example, as saints-protectors »specialized« for healing paralysis, mentioned are Giles, Fina (Serafina), Giovanna Francesca di Chantal, Maria dell’Incarnazione, Servolo, and Wolfgang.
Not only to historians and medical historians, it has always been a challenge to try to interpret the evidence of miraculous healings, especially abundant in medieval sources. This paper intends to provoke a discussion on what exactly was occurring in the contacts between medieval saints and patients, suggesting that, at the modern level of physiological and medical knowledge, an acceptable explanation might be offered for what once was considered miracle. For the purpose of our analysis, one of the most represented diseases (or states) – paralysis – has been selected, as well as one of the most documented thaumaturgists – St. Bernardino of Siena.
Miraculous Healings of Paralysis: A Preliminary Study on Sources
By Amir Muzur and Iva Rincic
Collegium Antropologicum, Vol.37 No.1 (2013)
Abstract: The aim of the present paper has been to explore the medieval evidence on miraculous healings of paralysis and to confront it with modern medical knowledge. Paralysis has been selected as a model for such a study and St. Bernardino of Siena (1380–1444) as a model of a saintly healer. Analyzed were the primary sources and modern literature. Paralysis was found to be among the most frequent diseases in medieval miracle reports, including the healings by St. Bernardino. According to the hypothesis offered in the paper, the majority of medieval cases of »miraculously healed paralysis« was of conversive origin.
Introduction: Popular Christian culture, as well as many other religions, are quite familiar with the phenomenon of the invocation of saints, motivated by the belief that they are able to cure diseases. Saints even used to »specialize« for some diseases, according to certain linguistic or iconographic associations. Just for example, as saints-protectors »specialized« for healing paralysis, mentioned are Giles, Fina (Serafina), Giovanna Francesca di Chantal, Maria dell’Incarnazione, Servolo, and Wolfgang.
Not only to historians and medical historians, it has always been a challenge to try to interpret the evidence of miraculous healings, especially abundant in medieval sources. This paper intends to provoke a discussion on what exactly was occurring in the contacts between medieval saints and patients, suggesting that, at the modern level of physiological and medical knowledge, an acceptable explanation might be offered for what once was considered miracle. For the purpose of our analysis, one of the most represented diseases (or states) – paralysis – has been selected, as well as one of the most documented thaumaturgists – St. Bernardino of Siena.
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