Nun’s body exhumed 4 years after death shows no signs of decay, sparks ‘miracle’ claims

Modern embalming methods being what they are, Sister Wilhelmina is probably too full of formaldehyde to fall into decay, and well protected in her casket and crypt. That said, I doubt there was a crack in it large enough to peek through. Mother Abbess Cecilia Snell is full of shit when she suggests they just happened to notice the body was intact.

Black don't crack!

Will Whoopi play her in the inevitable movie "The Blessed Miracle of Sister Wilhelmina" ? They do look very much alike.

Haha you beat me to it, R2!

Told you I was hardcore.

Creepy.

Why is she just out on the table like that?

[quote]Why is she just out on the table like that?

Makeshift centerpiece

r6 Yeah, Catholics can be just as crazy as the Pentecostals with this shit. The sign is so creepy, I imagine the feet just crumble if you squeeze them.

r7 Because the nuns aren't experts in preservation and presentation like museums are.

Why? Is she being displayed like that? Fucking weird.

[quote]Why is she just out on the table like that?

Main dish?

R10 Because Tina Turner couldn't be there.

[quote] Why is she just out on the table like that?

[quote] Main dish?

The last supper?

Nunsense.

She looks waxy.

Doesn't the body smell, from four years of decomposition?

She smells of wine and regret.

She wasn't embalmed

Those damned Pentecostals have been getting too many headlines recently, due to trump politics; mother church had to do something in N America where the money is (the peoples be in S America and Africa -had to write off Europe entirely). This should bring in some Mo money, Fo shore…

[quote]Nun’s body exhumed 4 years after death shows no signs of decay, sparks ‘miracle’ claims

The blood and sperm of OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST will do that to a girl!

What was her secret?

I MUST know!

I find this particularly unsettling after recently watching Kate Jackson and Robert Wagner's '70s horror flick "Death at Love House" on Tubi. Hope they have fire extinguishers handy.

I was raised Catholic, and, well ...

Catholics are fucking weird.

For being buried for 4 years in a "simple wood coffin," her habit looks suspiciously pristine, too.

More Catholic fakery. First of all, what was the reason for opening the casket if all they were doing was moving her? Did they have this planned all along. Look at her skin. They've clearly coated her with some sort of solution. This was likely planned from the day they embalmed her. There are methods to keep a corpse looking passable for many years (just look at Lenin's body after almost 100 years since his death. They work on his body regularly. I've heard that what you see in his coffin now is basically little more than a wax dummy.

Seeing as how she looked like death warmed over while she was alive, this is working very well for her.

Yuck! She looks like when Christopher Lloyd got ran over in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”!

Looks like her body has been coated with a silicone layer to keep the oxygen from her skin.

Whoopi Goldberg will star as her in the upcoming 'Sister Act 3 : The Revenge of Whillemina" . Once the casket is opened and she's put on the table, Whoopi jumps up and starts singing Tina Turner's songs.

Looks like some of her fingers have snapped off.

I'm betting this isn't the first time they've dug her up.

[quote] Looks like some of her fingers have snapped off.

They're being sold at the gift shop.

Yankee parvenu.

Was Natalie Merchant’s “Wonder” playing I. The background?

she ashy !

Did she smell like violets? My grandmother said that was a sure sign of sainthood.

[quote] she ashy !

Bye, Ashy!

We were going to use that table for the fish fry!

[quote]shows no signs of decay

Apparently the ample reliquary remains of purge about her face everywhere there is an opening does not qualify as a "sign of decay."

And I do NOT want to see those socks removed.

They inject bodies with Formalin in Southern Europe to slow decay (and smell). It isn't embalming, just slows decay. I wouldn't be surprised if it was also used in the warmer areas of the US?

What's Boston Greg's take on this phenomenon?

[quote]R7: Why is she just out on the table like that?

So that the faithful can see and handle her in order to receive a blessing, just as you see in the photos.

Silicon protectant can only accomplish so much, though. The body will not hold up for long under that kind of abuse.

[quote]R29: Looks like some of her fingers have snapped off.

No, both hands have been placed in the 'two-finger blessing' posture, with the ring fingers and pinkies bent into the closed position.

Touching her rotting hand. Yuck.

Did she get the full Eva?

That sign! “Please be gentle when touching sister’s body, especially her feet.” The fuck?!

When do they get to fuck her?

R44 What don't you understand about the sign ?

[quote]What was her secret? I MUST know!

She ate a lot of McDonald’s, Madge

"Black don't crack!"...Really!

…And if they do crack you better show me the receipts!

95?? No fucking way... But more importantly, being dead only four years there must be plenty of people who knew her. Would they really stand for her coffin being opened and her body put on exhibition four years after her death?? How is the public health department allowing this???

It's obvious that her diet consisted of mostly preservatives.

Her diet was mostly hard liquor, and she pickled herself.

[quote] What's Boston Greg's take on this phenomenon?

I really don’t have an opinion on it.

However, I find it strange that people are lining up to see/touch this corpse. And I find it stranger still that people can take dirt from her grave.

It’s a MIRACLE!!

This is a grift. A money grab, somehow.

Maybe they will start a GoFundMe page to rebury her ?

What was the reason given for the exhumation?

This reminds me of that Italian teen who was exhumed around 14 years after his death and found still life like, but not incorrupt. They’re now trying to make him a saint. He’s now on view, sporty and wearing his Nikes. Will try to find something on him and post it here.

Sorry about my comment at 57, about the reason for exhumation, I now saw it at op, but missed it in the link.

Anyway I found this article about the Italian teen, Carlo

I believe Bernadette of Lourdes was found incorrupt.

Carlo Acutis in repose, sporting his Nike’s.

That's one of the Sprouse twins, r59.

She looks angry, maybe because they disturbed her.

[quote]I believe Bernadette of Lourdes was found incorrupt.

Well, r58, she certainly came to a no-good end falling out of that scenic elevator...

I didn't expect to see a nun's corpse today. I have had sufficient.

Carlo's face and hands are silicone - his body is apparently just bones, and he has been "recreated" for veneration.

The nun supposedly was not embalmed, and was dug up to have her boned placed below the alter, but they found more than they were expecting --however her face was rather smushed, so what's in the picture is a wax mask.

The whole incorrupt thing is the weirder off shoot of the Catholic relic thing - which during my Catholic upbringing in the 70s wasn't really ever discussed, because I think in those post Vatican II days it was seen as something to downplay. If this nun was truly never embalmed, or treated after they dug her up, there is something interesting going on here, but as a current atheist I don't put it in the "miracle" basket. If they do a thorough, scientific examination I'd be interested in what they find.

When will they realize those aren't socks on her feet?

Those ARE her feet.

Embalming cannot stop decomposition but can slow the process down in the short term.

However, in the long term, embalming does little to affect what ultimately happens to the embalmed body in the casket or coffin. According to historian Norman L Cantor in his book, After We Die: The Life and Times of the Human Cadaver:

“Typical embalming for a funeral seeks to protect the corpse from putrefaction only for a matter of days or weeks. The object is to buy time for visitation and disposal during the several days following death. Thereafter the [embalming fluid] breaks down and bacteria begin to do their work.”

There are exceptions to this, like in the case of Eva Peron’s corpse, that was kept in reasonable condition for over 20 years. However, to achieve this, the embalming process had to be repeated over time, which is impossible once a body is buried.

R64, since you state you didn't receive education about these things, we'll overlook your inept description of incorruptibility and its relationship to the honoring a canonized saints and others, with particular respect given to items from their life, their clothes, and their bodies.

Often piece by piece.

Officially, "incorruptibility" does not mean an entire body is living-baby fresh. It means that whoever is doing the inspection has found at least parts of the body where normal decay ("corruption") hasn't occurred. But many well-known saints were putrified lumps of stinking nasty where exhumed. And the good foundress here is not a saint nor beyond the opening steps of the process at most.

Relics have nothing to do with incorruptibility. Incorruptibility has nothing to do with relics. Incorruptibility is not related to canonization or saintliness except in legendary terms. Some recently canonized papal saints have been infamously corrupted, sometimes before burial.

R67 -- That's pretty much what the article I posted at R64 said, and why I posted it - because as I stated, I never learned much about it during my time as a cat-lick.

You need to go to confession for being a judgmental asshole. Hugs - R64

The fabulous St. Bernadette.

Viola’s comeback role

That's so disrespectful, the dead should not be disturbed. Reminds me of that gross old fucker who paid a fortune for the crypt above Marilyn Monroe and wanted to be buried face down to lie "on top" of her. I think his widow had him disinterred years later to make big money on reselling the crypt.

Did she use the Barbara Bush method of getting rid of age spots?

R2 you beat me to it by 70 responses!

Bernadette has actually had some "work" done R69

Carlo Acutis is a DLr and posts here regularly.

Who does she think she is, Evita?

She looks quite flat, like the Wicked Witch after Dorothy dropped a house on her.

Her GoFundMe is very suspicious

R65 said, "When will they realize those aren't socks on her feet? Those ARE her feet."

Yes, all nuns get HANES tattooed on the soles of their feet as part of taking the veil...

Black don't crack.

Maybe she used Fashion Fair Cosmetics and the white nuns had no clue?

Did they take her ruler away???

She's 95, but she doesn't look a day over 70....

...she must be a DLer!

I’m so glad I’m not high on marihuana while reading this thread, and I hope I don’t think about it when I DO get high later tonight.

More superstition

[quote] Will Whoopi play her in the inevitable movie "The Blessed Miracle of Sister Wilhelmina" ? They do look very much alike.

No. The role of Sister Wilhelmina is for me. I think it's time I play a religious figure in order to get another Oscar nomination.

86 responses and no mention of “adipocere?” The nun was obese and buried unembalmed in a moist environment, so her fat turned to soap wax. I guess the DL goths are gone for the night?

Is that lady at R87 for real???

Omg I would laugh in her face if she really speaks like that. It's so phony.

Sort of like Brini Maxwell's persona.

R88 I think she actually owns a funeral home somewhere in Southern California, and is very knowledgeable about the death-care industry, but I agree with you her youtube persona is over-the-top… like she’s trying to be a spooky TV horror show hostess from the 60s.

Sister Wilhelmina is really packing in the crowds!

Missouri is turning into a pilgrimage site!

Surely 4 years is not a very long time? 40 would be more impressive. And even if they were moving her body to a different part of the church why does this necessitate opening the coffin?

Sister Wilhelmina is the new Branson!

Her pussy still stinks.

[quote] Her pussy still stinks.

Even worse than mine?

This feels like a violation of her dignity. How is it even legal to do this? I realize you can get approval to move a body, but then to Weekend at Bernie’s it?

Weird, right R95?

If this had been done to someone's mother, or father, or grandma, or CHILD, can you just imagine the outrage???

But for some reason, in this case, people are okay with it.

I don't understand.

This is an Eddie Murphy movie waiting to happen.

R96, won’t anyone, other than you, think of the CHILDREN?

Sister Act 4: Digging It

Dollface thread!

This whole idea is gross and naive. I hope they'll let her rest in peace. Ridiculous.

Come child, move closer and touch the remarkably preserved hands of our venerated Sister Wilhelmina…….

OH NO! A heathen in a rainbow T-shirt approaches — cover your eyes!

More like Flatface thread R100.

The 4 year dirt-nap has left her a bit smooshed.

Apparently, they're going to encase her in glass.

[quote]What's Boston Greg's take on this phenomenon?

Well, he doesn’t need to include prunes, since she’s already there. A Sister Lancaster and cod recipe with a frisée salad?

She died as a 95-year-old nun? The residual aura of meanness and sexual frustration probably kills off any microbes that would otherwise cause decay, or at least keeps them from reproducing.

Lol R106!

You know she must have whipped a kid or two with her ruler, back in the day.

[quote] Well, he doesn’t need to include prunes, since she’s already there. A Sister Lancaster and cod recipe with a frisée salad?

Cod rest her soul.

In the r104 news clip the folks flocking to see her had large broods of kids and many of the women were wearing mantillas - so this is obvious cat-nip for the crazy right-wing fundy Catholics who pine for the Latin Mass.

[quote]Cod rest her soul.

Seeeee? Greg can be funny!

Greg, I’m no longer not just a Greg Hater and I’ve moved past Greg Liker and that cemented me as a Greg Defender.

Cod bless you, sir.

Why thank you, R110.

The truth is, in real life I am known to be very amusing.

I’m glad you’ve moved from hater to defender.

I need all the defense I can get.

Greg, is the legend true that if someone says your name three times in a darkened kitchen, you’ll manifest in the nude, wearing only an apron?

I thought lying was a sin. I guess they’ll just go to confession straight after and everything will be fine!

[quote]Greg, is the legend true that if someone says your name three times in a darkened kitchen, you’ll manifest in the nude, wearing only an apron?

I just tried it, and it’s true! He was naked and wearing an apron, but he immediately said, “please be careful of the apron, it’s a Headley & Bennett”.

So…

[quote] Greg, is the legend true that if someone says your name three times in a darkened kitchen, you’ll manifest in the nude, wearing only an apron?

Strangely, I believe that is true.

[quote] I just tried it, and it’s true! He was naked and wearing an apron, but he immediately said, “please be careful of the apron, it’s a Headley & Bennett”.

See?

In my defense, Alton Brown wears Headley & Bennett I’m the kitchen.

*in the kitchen

Um…. Could someone in Boston go in to the kitchen and call Greg’s name out three times? He still in my kitchen and I have company coming tonight. I’d put him on a flight but he’s only wearing an apron and it’s like six hours. And I don’t wanna spend the money.

Gregggg, Gregggg, Greggggg…

I was looking forward to meeting R118’s guests.

He’s very cheap.

R119, you’re just bringing him back to this thread. He is still naked in the apron in my kitchen. But now he’s on his phone. 🙄

You should see this place.

Someone needs a cleaning lady.

They have a BABY touching this nun’s 4 year old CORPSE because “it’s a miracle!” but for some reason it’s the gays who they think should stay away from kids? Make it make sense.

Wouldn’t it be beautiful if, as she’s being touched by a child, Sister Wilhelmina were to suddenly sit up, open her eyes, and whip out her ruler? That’s a miracle I’d like to see.

Sr. Mary Mother Incorruptible Elephant.

Please take no more than a teaspoon of dirt!

And be prepared to wait in long lines.

So Psycho was a horror movie? Not sure how this is much different than Norman Bates and mother. (well except the sex thing)

Would you like to see my fetus in a jar?

Has Reverend Mother weighed in on this miracle?

[quote]And be prepared to wait in long lines.

I’m not impressed. That’s nothing compared to Judy’s funeral.

Face it -People just want to see a corpse up close...

This is one of the fuckin' funniest threads in a while.

I wonder who the lucky person is who guards the monastery during midnight shift.

[quote]I was looking forward to meeting [R118]’s guests. He’s very cheap

I’m not cheap, I just didn’t want to spend money on a plane ticket for you when someone can just magically summon you back to Boston. Besides, it’s like an hour car ride to the airport from downtown and I didn’t want to spend that time driving back-and-forth in rush-hour. And an Uber to the airport here is about 60 buck and I thought I was saving you some money. Besides, I don’t think an Uber would pick you up because you’re naked and you just had a Headley and Bennett apron on.

[quote]More Catholic fakery.

I remember the virgin Mary statues that used to cry tears of blood, but as soon as DNA testing became available, they started crying tears of olive oil.

R1 “Sister Wilhelmina was buried without embalming and in a simple wood coffin,” one nun told Newsweek.”

My biggest question is: what kind of air freshener do they use in the viewing area? Is it a room spray or a plug-in? I want to buy some for the office.

“Hurry up kids! We’re loading up the car!” “Dad, where are we headed?” “Gower, Missouri!”

Have they reburied the poor thing yet?

Can we do this to Oprah after she dies?

R141 I'll keep the corpse in my custody.