BG45 Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Presented without comment... [quote][url="http://weirdnews.aol.com/2011/05/26/decapitated-head-of-catholic-saint-on-auction-block_n_866694.html"]Decapitated Head Of St. Vitalis, Patron Saint Of Genital Disease, To Be Sold At Auction[/url] The term "VD" is slang for venereal disease, but, in this case, it can also stand for "Vitalis' Dome," as in St. Vitalis, the patron saint for genital diseases. Soon, some lucky collector of rare artifacts may know the joy that only comes when you have the decapitated skull of a Catholic saint in your possession. On May 29, the noggin of St. Vitalis of Assisi will be sold at auction in Duleek, Ireland. The macabre memento has a pre-auction value between $1,100 and $1,700. The family selling the saintly skull are an Anglo-Irish family based in County Louth, the Belfast Telegraph reported. It's a heady honor for Vitalis, who lead an early life marked by licentiousness and immorality. However, in an attempt to atone he went on pilgrimages to various sanctuaries and became a Benedictine monk and a hermit in Italy before dying in 1370. After his death, this particular Vitalis (there are many with the same name), got a reputation as a patron against sicknesses and diseases affecting the genitals. But auctioneer Damien Matthews says it is unclear how his noggin came to Ireland.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Not only is this immoral, but it makes my skin crawl to think of the possibly of how it could end up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Another good reason to have yourself cremated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 That isn't right. Saints are meant to be venerated, not bought and sold. That's simony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don John of Austria Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Canon law provides for purchase of relics to get them out off the hands of non catholics and those that might desecrate them. I propose a collection to purchase this and return it to the Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='Don John of Austria' timestamp='1306459776' post='2246439'] Canon law provides for purchase of relics to get them out off the hands of non catholics and those that might desecrate them. I propose a collection to purchase this and return it to the Church. [/quote] I wish I could contribute. It would be nice to return it to the Vatican and have them put it in a display box in a Cathedral like St. Catherine of Siena's head. warning: picture of remains [spoiler][img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/985887784_255829267b.jpg[/img][/spoiler] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don John of Austria Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1306461951' post='2246459'] I wish I could contribute. It would be nice to return it to the Vatican and have them put it in a display box in a Cathedral like St. Catherine of Siena's head. warning: picture of remains [spoiler][img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/985887784_255829267b.jpg[/img][/spoiler] [/quote] Ah Rome is full of relics, donate it to a diocese in the US, we are Poor in substantially sized relics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don John of Austria Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 its estimated value of 1700 dollars doesn't seem unreachable...shipping might be pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='Don John of Austria' timestamp='1306467269' post='2246502'] its estimated value of 1700 dollars doesn't seem unreachable...shipping might be pricey. [/quote] And imagine the customs issues...it's hard to ship bagpipes to/from the US if they have ivory on them. I don't even want to think about the junk you'd have to put up with shipping a [i]human head.[/i] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don John of Austria Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1306467808' post='2246513'] And imagine the customs issues...it's hard to ship bagpipes to/from the US if they have ivory on them. I don't even want to think about the junk you'd have to put up with shipping a [i]human head.[/i] [/quote] Peaople ship the dead back for burial all the time... and it isn't like he'd be in a rush to get here or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='Don John of Austria' timestamp='1306468790' post='2246522'] Peaople ship the dead back for burial all the time... and it isn't like he'd be in a rush to get here or anything. [/quote] I guess. But don't those people have paperwork? I doubt St. Vitalis still has his death certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don John of Austria Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1306469060' post='2246527'] I guess. But don't those people have paperwork? I doubt St. Vitalis still has his death certificate. [/quote] Would't the auction house provide some sort of paperwork? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted May 27, 2011 Author Share Posted May 27, 2011 One would think so if it's a respectable auction house... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='BG45' timestamp='1306509370' post='2246750'] One would think so if it's a respectable auction house... [/quote] I highly doubt it is a reputable auction house. They should know the rules about buying and selling blessed articles--or even human remains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Little Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1306445690' post='2246359'] Not only is this immoral, but it makes my skin crawl to think of the possibly of how it could end up. [/quote] me too. that is just disgusting and gross and downright wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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