Don't you think that most people wonder what happens to their bodies after they die? Death actually fascinates as much as it frightens. Most of us will experience the total decay of our bodies after death. That's just reality.
But not everyone does experience that bodily decay. And that is also reality.
We call those who die without experiencing bodily decay "the incorruptibles."
It is an extraordinary experience to see the incorrupt body of a saint. We've seen several while on pilgrimage, and we attest most humbly to the awesome power of God evident in the miraculous preservation of these mortal remains.
The Faithful Finds outlined below are some of the best books available to give you the inside view of what it means to be incorrupt.
Why We Chose to Review Books About the Incorrupt Bodies of Saints for You!
We live in an era void of morality. Too few people carry their crosses at all much less with joy and fidelity. Do those who refuse to carry their crosses know about Eternity? Do they care?
These are questions we asked, and we knew that studying the lives of the incorruptibles helps people turn their focus away from the temporal and toward God and the Eternal. Almost all of the incorruptibles were neither wealthy nor famous. They suffered a great deal and sacrificed much from the perspective of those who love this world.
A lifetime on earth seems like a long time, especially if you're given the grace of living to a ripe old age. But your life on this earth is a blink of God's eye compared to Eternity.
Crack open one or more of these amazing books we've highlighted for you and discover the lives of those who God chose to preserve from bodily decay. What if you actually learn something interesting? Now that would be worth the read. We promise it will be.
Best Overall Discussion of the Incorruptibles
The Incorruptibles: A Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic Saints and Beati by Joan Carroll Cruz
Joan Carroll Cruz did a yoeman's job when she put together this definitive work about the incorruptibles. Although no work could possibly include every single incorrupt saint, blessed, or venerable in Church history, Cruz's work is the only attempt of its kind.
The introduction alone is an education on burial methods, exhumation, the Church's teaching on the incorruptibles, and related matters. Cruz carefully explains her methods of anaylsis and why she includes a saint as an incorruptible.
Organized into separate chapters about each incorrupt saint, you'll be amazed at the stories of the 102 saints discussed at length. Twenty-one of the incorruptibles featured also have illustrations.
What we absolutely love about this Faithful Find is that Cruz makes these incorrupt bodies come alive for you in how she tells their stories. The research is impeccable, and you'll find details in her work that you won't find anywhere else. This book should really be considered a history book. We highly recommend this volume to your library and as a great companion to your home education room.
Joan Carroll Cruz was proof that God chooses some of the most unlikely people to do the most extraordinary things. We love that Cruz was a devout Catholic woman and homemaker who made being a wife and mother a priority. In order to write The Incorruptibles, she sacrificed sleep so that she did not sacrifice her duties to her family. Plus, all 15 of her published works earned an Imprimatur. You can read more about her life in her obituary.
Best New Book
God’s Will: The Life and Works of Sr. Mary Wilhelmina, Foundress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles by her Community
This book recommendation would not even be on our list for you had Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster's body not been discovered incorrupt in May of 2023. We purchased a copy the minute we learned about her, and we fell in love with Sister Wilhelmina.
God's Will was written by the Benedictine sisters in Gower, Missouri shortly after Sister Wilhelmina's death. The book is exceptionally rich in original poetry written by Sister Wilhelmina. We are not usually big poetry enthusiasts, but Sister's words draw you in to the realities of Christian life and the truths of the Faith. The Community sprinkled her poetry throughout the book.
They also included photos from various stages of Sister Wilhelmina's life and vocation, so you get a full picture of her personal and spiritual journey. You see the historical framework that formed Sister. And you see how God inserted significant people at crucial stages to allow Sister to grow in holiness and ultimately resist the tide of Modernism flooding the Church. We loved that Sister also had an amazing sense of humor.
Our only criticism of God's Will is that in most places in the book the Community chose to follow the modern trend of capitalizing the color of skin when referring to black people. We just don't believe in doing that for anyone but certainly not for some and not others.
Alongside this book, we recommend some other great Sister Wilhelmina references, including this excellent article about the events at the time of her discovery.
Our favorite compliment to God's Will, though, is the Holy Rosary prayed alongside Sister Wilhelmina's body by Father Pillari, our beloved leader of the Fatima Rosary Crusade. Here's that video:
Finally, EWTN did a decent report that included interviews with the Benedictine Abbess. That video is here.
God's Will introduces you to a life lived solely for the love of God and the beautiful fruit that produces. We predict that you will be stamping your cane like Sister Wilhelmina in no time!
The best way to know more about the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles is to check out their site.
Best Book for a Saint Not Included in The Incorruptibles Book by Joan Carroll Cruz
Saint Fernando III: A Kingdom for Christ by James Fitzhenry
Saint Fernando III: A Kingdom for Christ by James Fitzhenry is not your average historical biography. What sets this book apart from other biographies is the fact that the body of Saint Fernando III, the subject of the book, has been found incorrupt. This fascinating detail adds an element of mystery to the already captivating story of this remarkable man who was able to unite disparate groups and overcome adversity to forge a united Christian nation against the Islamic invaders.
Fitzhenry's engaging narrative style and meticulous research make for an informative and inspiring read. The author presents a balanced and accurate portrayal of the life of Saint Fernando III, from his childhood at his maternal grandfather's court in Castile to his adulthood as a man who was devoted to his faith, his people, and his family. Through the extensive use of primary and secondary sources, Fitzhenry paints a vivid picture of the historical context in which Fernando III lived and shows how his legacy continues to influence Spanish history and culture to this day.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book is the way it explores the incorruptibility of Saint Fernando III's body. Fitzhenry examines the scientific and theological explanations for this phenomenon and provides readers with compelling evidence of the authenticity of this miracle. This adds a unique dimension to the book and makes it even more compelling for readers interested in the intersection of faith and science.
If you're looking for a great overview of St. Fernando's life, you should check out this article.
Overall, Saint Fernando III: A Kingdom for Christ is a Faithful Find that will appeal to anyone interested in history, religion, and leadership. Fitzhenry's masterful storytelling and attention to detail make this biography a must-read for anyone seeking to gain insight into the life of one of the greatest monarchs in Spanish history. The added mystery of the incorruptibility of Saint Fernando III's body only serves to enhance the intrigue of this already captivating story.
James Fitzhenry is a Catholic author with a passion for writing about saints and historical figures who have made significant contributions to the Church. His work focuses on making these historical figures come alive for modern readers, highlighting their virtues and struggles as they navigated the challenges of their times.
Fitzhenry's love of history and Catholicism is evident in his writing, and he brings a unique perspective to the genre. As a devout Catholic himself, Fitzhenry understands the importance of faith in shaping the lives of the individuals he writes about. He also has a talent for storytelling that makes his books accessible and engaging for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about the lives of holy men and women, James Fitzhenry's books offer a fascinating glimpse into the past while providing valuable lessons for the present.
Incorrupt Bodies FAQs
What does it mean to say that a body is incorrupt?
A body is incorrupt if, upon exhumation, the body apparently did not succumb to the usual forces of putrefaction. The title is reserved for bodies that one would expect to rot naturally—in other words, embalmed corpses and bog bodies would never be considered incorrupt.
How many incorrupt saints are there?
Although uncommon, there are more than 300 saints and blesseds whose bodies showed no signs of physical decay when exhumed decades or even centuries after their deaths. St. Cecilia is believed to be the first saint whose body was discovered incorrupt and who was declared to be an incorruptible. She was martyred somewhere around 177 – 230 AD.
When does a a body found incorrupt become an incorruptible?
During the canonization process, the Church follows specific protocols for the examination of the remains. Unfortunately, there is no official process for declaring an individual's remains to be incorrupt and confirming that they are an incorruptible. There are many reasons for that. We can be guided, though, by Pope Benedict XIV in his encyclical De Cadaverum Incorruptione written in the mid-1800s. Pope Benedict XIV declared that an incorrupt body should only be considered miraculous (and therefore that person is included in the list of incorruptibles) when its lifelike condition is maintained for a great period of time. Those who are included in lists of incorruptibles generally meet this description.
Final Thoughts
There is a great deal to learn from the lives of the dead. Studying the incorruptibles opens so many doors in the spiritual life, especially if you take the books we recommend and make pilgrimages to see the incorrupt remains of these men and women.
We encourage you in your pursuit of holiness and believe these incredible stories will do an even better job of helping you focus on things eternal. What life are you leading, and will God leave your incorrupt body on earth as a witness to a life well-lived? Food for thought!
Enjoy these books, read them well, and share them with others. You never know who needs to understand the limited power of death for the soul well-prepared.
God bless!
Lynne