A story for every day...
An incorruptible tongue.
Saint Anthony died in Padua in 1231, and soon after his death the construction of the magnificent domed basilica where he was to be buried began. This construction lasted 32 years and the body of the Saint was given a place under the main altar. On the Pope’s order, a commission opened the coffin; the Saint’s body was already rotting, but the tongue was still pink and flexible. St. Bonaventure, who was a member of the commission, fell to his knees and exclaimed, “O blessed tongue, which has always glorified God and excited men for their Creator, it is evident that you have gathered great merits from Him.” This tongue is still now in the cathedral of Padua, in a splendid reliquary adorned with precious stones worth over 25o,ooo fr.
– God has often confirmed the holiness of His servants by miracles.
Incorruptible bodies of Saints.
Among them are those of St. Francis Xavier, at Goa in India; of St. Teresa, at the Carmelites of Alba in Spain; of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, at the Poor Clares of Coimbra; of St. Catherine of Bologna, at the Poor Clares of that city; of St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi, in Florence; of St. Clare of Montefalcone, at the convent of that name; etc., etc. These bodies were not embalmed, and most of them were simply laid to rest in ordinary earth. To this day, not only do they not give off any bad odor, but at certain times they give off a real perfume; moreover, they are not stiff like mummies, but flexible.
– These miracles show that these people lived a holy life.
