The bodies of Saints that defies the process of decomposition

Ever wondered how bodies of Saints defies Science as it does not decompose even after death? Under normal circumstances, the human body begins to start decomposing as soon as death takes place. As the heart stops beating, and the blood stops making it's rounds and the cells and the organs stops functioning. So, there is no more life unless it is another case of the Lazarus syndrome. The Images below applies under normal circumstances.

Normal circumstances that sets upon death:
But it works differently for as far as any living beings are concerned. From the onset of death, the process of decay almost starts immediately upon death. Then, maggots start to do what it is supposed to do to any dead being leaving just bones in the course of time. (Refer images below)

 

The bodies of Saints that defies normal process of decomposition.
Some prefer to call this phenomenon as incorruptible bodies but I beg to differ in the terminology used. This is because it is still corruptible as some form of decay does take place such as sunken eyes, darkened eyes, or hands that need to be touched up with wax. There are also some cases involving embalming which is far from the reality of the said incorruptibility.

 St. Bernadette Soubirous (7th January 1844 - 16th April 1879)
In another words, the bodies of these saints continues to be breaking down under the clothes or robes they are wearing but at such a slow pace. In some of the cases, parts of the bodies have been removed in the case of St Bernadette below. A thin layer of face mask has also been constructed to cover her actual face because the nose and eyes have sunken in. Even the fifth and sixth right ribs were removed at the request of the Bishop to be kept as relics (Dr. Comte's report) in Rome. It has been observed that the bodies have taken a greyish shade with mildew patches, large amounts of crystals and calcium salts. A designer in fashion mannequins, Pierre Imans did some finishing touch for the hands and face (light wax mask) giving it a smooth and fine texture.

Image above: Body of St. Bernadette Soubirous (7th January 1844 - 16th April 1879) Her coffin was buried in a damp grave and remained for 30 years before it was dug up 3 times for beatification and canonization in year 1909, 1919 & 1925. About 5 million pilgrims visit the Church of Lourdes, France to visit this lady. Some pilgrims have reported fragrance smell when near the coffin.

Normal human beings would only be left in bones within a year. Somehow, despite some delayed process of decomposition, it is indeed a miracle that bodies of Saints can stand the test of time. It is still not known what constitutes to this condition, whether it is the diet, the simplicity in thoughts or the meditation that has changed this normal biological process of decomposition known to mankind.
CONTRIBUTION:
1. BioCleanBlog
2. Bishop of Nevers
3. Dr. Comte
4. Tommytoy

Malay residents staged protest over a Cross at a new church in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

The local Malay residents had staged a protest over a Cross erected in a new church just 2 days old at Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. They fear that the symbol challenges Islam and is a threat as it could influence the young Malays to be influenced into Christianity.

Image above: The Cross at the Taman Medan church had angered the local Malay residents

The Protestors

Image above: We do not want to cause a fight. We just want that symbol removed says the above angry Malay resident while pointing towards the cross.

Image above: The lady says "we do not want a Cross to be erected since this vicinity has a population that consist of 95 percent Malays". The placard held by her reads as the elected delegate for this area is sleeping. The placard held behind her reads as "Don't provoke the anger of the Muslims".

Meanwhile another respected local citizen (image below), Datuk Madzah Abu Anas feels that the Cross was erected without obtaining the approval from the local council, MBPJ and they (the Christians) are trying to lure..

Harun Ismail (image below), another protester believes that MPPJ, other parties or the religious authorities should take the appropriate actions. Our job is to state that we are unhappy over this erection.

The village head, Village Head Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar (image below) says that we have to abide by the authorities decision. He says that this is a Malay area and out of concern, it shouldn't be like this referring to the Cross erected at the building. He requested the Cross to be removed either today or tomorrow.

Image above: Village head Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar

The Cross had since been removed several hours later after the group posing above staged a protest. The placard in the center reads "Bring down the Cross".

The Liberals and others support for the Cross

Meanwhile, the Liberal Malays say that it is disrespectful to the Christians as it is a sacred symbol for the Christian community. One of them is the Chief Minister of Selangor State, Azmin Ali (image below).

Image: Chief Minister of Selangor, Azmin Ali

Lawyer groups have also confirmed that the churches have a right to display the cross under the constitution of Malaysia. “Under Article 11, all Malaysians have a right to practise their own religion and the cross is an integral and indispensable part of the Christian faith – so it comes under the rights of Malaysians under Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution,” said constitutional lawyer New Sin Yew.

Lawyers for Liberty co-founder Eric Paulsen says that the issue is much more one of local council, and if the church authorities have received the relevant approvals from the MBPJ, they have a legal right to put the cross on the building. It is quite misguided to say that because an area is majority-Malay Muslim, it is misguided to say that only their rights count. He further stressed that the rights of minorities deserved as much protection as those of the majority in an area.

The area assemblyman, Haniza Mohamed Talha the faith of Muslims will not be threatened by merely looking at a cross or having a church in their area. (Image below)

The council of Churches have also spoken, “We believe that the majority of Malaysians will lend their voices to oppose actions of anyone who seeks to disrupt and deny the right of people to worship and their right to display their religious symbols,” said the Council’s secretary-general Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri image below.

Angry Liberals?

The bewildered son of former MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) leader, Vell Paari said, There is a saying in Tamil, which if translated loosely means 'a fearful man sees a ghost in every dark corner'. This is the mentality of such people. His proposals:

1. Convert all T-Junction road sign into roundabouts. This he say is because the presence of a cross would hurt the feelings of the protestors and sway the Muslim youths.
2. Next, he requested to follow up and demand that the school no longer teach mathematics as the plus sign is similar to the Cross. The protestors children should only be taught subtract, multiplication & division and addition only if a new symbol is derived to replace the current plus sign.
3. Refrain from using the small letter "t" as it also looks like a Cross. Instead, use the Capitol T to substitute the small alphabet "t".

The Verdict? Home Minister vs The Inspector General of Police
Is this a seditious act? Yes

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Malaysian Home Minister (image above) says that the group who protested against the church can face action under the sedition act. "I am very colour blind and police are colour blind. Whoever ... action has to be taken and will be taken,". He repeated that "Regardless of who, if anyone touches on any religion, they are subject to the Sedition Act,"

Is this a seditious act? No

The IGP (Inspector General of Police), Khalid Abu Bakar (image above)  made a statement quite contrary to the Home Minister. He says that the protest calling for the removal of the Cross did not breach the Sedition Act.

How it is desired....
A friend of mine sent me a Whatsapp image after reading about this furore made by the group of Malays over the Cross at the building. See for yourselves the image below.

The Mosque is situated right beside the Church and there has not been any fuss made about this situation. In fact, when the Muslims have prayers on Fridays, the Church authorities will open the gates to allow the Muslims to park their vehicle at their premise. Likewise, on Sundays, when the Christians go for their mass, the Mosque authorities return the same favour by allowing the churchgoers to park their vehicle at the mosque premise. This unique situation should set an example to the world, especially to the fanatical IS terrorists. Attitudes like this can warrant IS to go out of business and I hope that the Muslim brothers and Christians on the whole will develop such tolerance worldwide.

Conclusion
Overall, there has been a mixture of reaction about these protest which saw the removal of the Cross from the building outside the church. I agree with the good Home Minister above. As far as I know, all religions do teach good things and certainly preach moderation. However, the action by the resident group saw an absence of that trait called moderation. One particular protestor who wore mask was quite provocative and said if the Cross is not brought down, they will bring it down. Such remarks can spark unwanted religious tension. The country can do much better off than hopeless violence as history has always taught us that war is always an ugly situation. I hope that issues such as this will not crop again in the future. We have many races practicing diverse religion and mutual respect would maintain harmony everywhere all the time.

CONTRIBUTION:
1. The STAR
2. Malaysiakini

The legendary Princess Saadong and the relics

Picture above: An artist impression of Puteri Saadong (Princess Saadong)

Her Origin

Adopted daughter of Cik Siti Wan Kembang (Queen who ruled Kelantan from 1610 onwards), Princess Saadong had ruled from 1667 – 1671. In Malay she is called Puteri Saadong. The time Puteri Saadong ruled was at the same time King Charles II ruled England or Louis XIV the Great, the Sun King ruled France. The word about her immense beauty soon spread to the neighboring country, Siam (now known as Thailand). King Narai of Siam who ruled Siam from 1656 – 1688 was infatuated upon hearing about her beauty. Thus, he sent out his troops to propose to the princess. But the princess was then married to Raja Abdullah, and gently refused the idea. King Narai was still adamant on marrying her and so sent his troops under the able commandership of General Phraya Decho to attack Kelantan and abduct the princess to his palace. This was duly done and Princess Saadong had to leave to Siam, but prior to leaving, she requested her husband to wait for her return.

Her abduction and the likes of 1001 nights…

So each night went by, just like the story of Aladdin and the 1001 nights but only in this one with a different twist of fate. Each time the King Narai wants be with her, he is mysteriously struck by skin disease that is difficult to be cured. This went by for thirteen years until finally the royal Shaman advised the King to return her to Kelantan. His lust never found its way to her and he sadly sends her back to where she came from. Thus her chastity was preserved and her loyalty to her husband was unshakeable. No amount of property promised by the King could change her mind to return the favor to sleep with him.

Meanwhile King Abdullah was lonely without her presence

After waiting for 7 years, Prince Abdullah was convinced that he was never ever going to see his wife again. And thus, he marries another woman and makes her his queen. After the return of Princess Saadong to her husband’s palace, she was disappointed that the King did not keep up to his words. Some commotion ensued in the palace which resulted in the death of King Abdullah. It is still unsure as some say that the Princess Saadong killed her husband out of a fit of rage using her golden hairpin. She then left the state and proceeded to Aceh by boat, joined the Islamic missionaries and later married to a Bugis King. She vowed not to ever step foot again in this land until her seventh generation descendant.

Two Images above: Princess Saadong, the 7th generation claims her throne (Tengku Puteri Anis Tengku Razali)

Relics were recently found believed to date back to the days of Puteri Saadong…

 Image above: Puteri Saadong came in his dream (Wan Mohd Yusof) to reveal the location of relic.

A Malay resident from Kelantan state, claims that he had dreamed of a beautiful woman who repeatedly came to his dreams for three consecutive nights. It was the same dream that was repeated. He narrates that there was this beautiful woman who taps on the river water twice and results with a bright sparkling light. He could not make out what it meant. He could not recall the colour or the type of attire she was wearing. Out of curiosity, he soon goes to the river to find out more which is located at a river bank in Kasar Village (Kampong Kasar), Pasir Mas, Kelantan. He soon finds out many old coins with Jawi inscription that has been washed to the shore along with plates, bowls made of porcelain materials. 

Images below: Depicts the findings at the Kampung Kasar village river bank, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia.

 

 Image above: Wan Mohammad leading to the site and pulling out a coin

 Image above: Coins found with Jawi inscription.

Image above: Coin pulled out in between rocks at the river bank.

Image above: Jar with a dragon head

Image above: More coins with Jawi inscription. Note how the right side coin already eroded due to time lapse.

Image above: Coins everywhere!!!

Image above: No rocks unturned translates into more coins located.

Image above: More Jawi inscription coins. Note that the sizes are not similar.

Image above: A broken jar piece made of fragile material washed to the shore of river bank.

The villagers claim that at Hampar Island, (Pulau Hampar) there once lived a generous Princess (Princess Saadong) who borrowed these utensils to the villagers when they want to conduct weddings.

Image above: A close up of another jar piece appears to have dark greenish colour.

Image above: Plate made of fragile material washed to the shore. Were these disposed after it broke?

Image above: Another broken jar piece that is light green from the bottom side.

 Image above: Mud laden side view of a broken jar piece at the top side with bottom part broken.

Image above: The panoramic view at the side of river bank with Wan Mohammad who is seen here pretty engrossed in his search for ancient materials.

 

 

 Meanwhile, the State Museum Director, Wan Muhammad Suhaimi has historical values and requested the general public not to take these artifacts for keeps. Furthermore, the Director had warned the general public not to take these relics as it tantamount to crime and one caught can be fined as much as RM5000 if caught taking these away. He instead encourages the general public to assist in the search and help to provide them to the museum. Image below.

Here are more videos in this subject:

 

 

Some of the coins found dates back to early 20^th Century belonging to British settlement, King George v which makes me want to think twice about speculating these things belonging to the era of Princess Saadong. Meanwhile, it was also reported that the coins were brought to a Chinese goldsmith shop where the goldsmith was willing to pay a price of RM300 for each piece. It is believed that the coins were made of pure Silver. I think by now, many coins would have already made it to the homes of antique collectors because the place was not quarantined for prevention against illegal scavengers to facilitate further search and studies at the relic area. This is truly another site worth the time spent for studies by archaeologists. 

CONTRIBUTION:
1. Herusupanji
2. N. A. Halim (Muzium Negara)
3. Mingguan Malaysia: 28th October 1979
4. Azley Abdullah
5. TV9 

St John’s Relic is on display at Church of Divine Mercy, Penang, Malaysia

Pope John Paul II is the second longest serving pope who served for 27 years from 1978 – 2005 until the age of 84. He had performed two miracles in his lifetime as a pope and thus becomes St John Paul II.

Healing of a French nun, Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre.

The Healing of Sister Marie-Simon Pierre

 

Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, 47 was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001. As Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, her condition worsened as she was struggling to walk, write or function as a normal person would. All the members of the Little Sisters of Catholic Motherhood in France and Senegal began praying to Pope John Paul to intervene with God to heal her. On June 2^nd, 2005, she woke up early in the morning feeling completely healed. Archbishop Feidt who heard of the alleged healing conducted a thorough one year investigation. The investigation included testimony from physicians, canon lawyers, theologians, a psychiatrist and a handwriting expert to ascertain the legibility of the patient’s handwriting as an indicator to the progress of the Parkinson’s disease. Thus, on December 19^th, 2009, Pope John Paul II was proclaimed venerable by Pope Benedict XVI and subsequently beatified on May 1^st, 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints attributed one miracle to him, the healing of Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre.

The Healing of Floribeth Mora.

In Costa Rica, on a warm spring afternoon, Floribeth Mora was in her bed waiting to die due to an inoperable brain aneurysm. Her gaze fell upon the photograph of Pope John Paul II in a newspaper and suddenly the image of the Pope proclaimed “Stand Up – Don’t be afraid”. Her aneurysm disappeared that day which has been confirmed by the doctor and the Catholic Church. Hence the second miracle paved the way for Pope John Paul to be declared Pope St John Paul II or Saint John Paul the Great. The second miracle was approved on 2^nd July 2013 which was confirmed by Pope Francis just two days later. To be declared as a Saint, two miracles must be attributed. Hence, Pope John Paul II was canonised on 27 April 2014.

St John’s relic displayed at the Church of Divine Mercy, Penang, Malaysia.

A fist class relic of St. John Paul II contains a drop of the pope’s blood on a piece of cloth are on permanent display here in the Church of Divine Mercy, Sungai Ara, Penang, Malaysia. It had been handed after the custodians of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome approved the relic to be released here.

CONTRIBUTION:

1. NYDAILYNEWS

2. AMERICAN CATHOLIC.ORG

3. THE STAR ONLINE