The second major pilgrimage site in Assissi, the red and white striped 13th century church of Santa Chiara, is dedicated to Saint Clare. St. Clare was one of St. Francis's most fervent followers (after running away from home to avoid an arranged marriage). She founded an order of nuns based on the same principles as the Franciscans -- the order was eventually renamed "The Order of Poor Clares".
Under the church, in the crypt (these pics) her body lies, essentially in state, as streams of pilgrims go by....so I'm looking at her and thinking she doesn't look quite real although the body is clearly life-sized and fully dressed in her nun's habit. I later discover on wikipedia that her remains were moved to this newly constructed crypt in 1872 but that the Catholic church no longer considers her body to be incorrupt --- I'm thinking, huh? then read "incorruptibility is a Roman Catholic belief that supernatural intervention allows some human bodies to avoid the normal process of decomposition after death." Interesting wiki page, some creepy pics (check out St. Virginia).....however, poor Clare was apparently not incorruptible enough and her lifelike appearance is due to wax face and hands. (I think this also explains a bizarre looking dead pope in a glass coffin I was perplexed by at the Vatican a few years ago.)
And one last fun fact about Clare--- in 1958 the Vatican designated her the patron saint of television, on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had
reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room.
the gelato crypt...
and the candy crypt...
And not far away in Perugia, more cool modern use of old space...
(the magical mystery tour continues in Turkey tomorrow.....)
Posts
