Bedazzled saints: catacomb relics in early modern Bavaria

Abstract

"This book argues that whole-body saints (intact skeletons) in Bavaria functioned differently than the small, fragmented relics common in the medieval period. By devising and using this innovative relic presentation, early modern Bavarians materially expressed their loyalty to the universal Roman Catholic church and created local and exclusive patrons for their towns and villages."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents

Creating Bavaria Sancta from the ground up -- Some assembly required : building whole-body catacomb saints -- Whole-body saints and Eucharistic doctrine -- Semper eadem : catacomb saints and Catholic sacred history -- Welcoming the saints home : translation processions and festivities -- Roman catacomb saints as local residents and patrons -- Epilogue : catacomb saints in the modern era.