After Jacinta died in 1920 at the age of 10, her body was buried in the cemetery in Fatima. In 1935, her body was exhumed as part of the beatification process. What the investigators found was a body that was perfectly preserved, even after being buried for 15 years.
The body of Jacinta was considered by many to be an incorruptible body – a body that doesn’t decay after death, a sign of hood. This phenomenon has been documented before in other saints’ bodies like those of St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, and St. Catherine of Siena’s head in Rome.
However, Jacinta’s body was not just protected but ravaged. It was desecrated and violated, leaving scars on her face and body. Her body had been packed in a coffin lined with zinc, and painted with an antiseptic solution to prevent the spread of disease.
Toward the end of the beatification process, doctors were called to examine her body. The doctors’ report stated that the body wasn’t incorruptible and had begun to decay. This is despite the fact that Jacinta’s body wasn’t exposed to any air or moisture and was surrounded by zinc, which should have delayed decay.
The desecration of Jacinta’s body is unfortunately not uncommon. Stories of people stealing parts of saints’ bodies, particularly parts of incorruptible bodies, are well-known. Some people believe that possessing a part of a saint’s body gives them special power or blessing.
Despite the apparent decay of Jacinta’s body, she was still canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2017. Her incorruptibility was not a factor in her canonization, as the Church had already declared her a saint by virtue of her piety, heroism, and the sanctity of her life.
The desecration of Jacinta’s body raises questions about how we should treat the remains of the deceased. While some people may believe that there is power or blessing in having a part of a saint’s body, it is important to respect the dignity of the deceased and not cause harm or disfigurement to the body.
It’s also important to consider the context and history of the practice of keeping . The practice dates back to the early Christian church, where relics were believed to have healing powers and were often kept in churches or shrines for veneration.
In conclusion, the desecration of Jacinta’s body is a sad and unfortunate event that raises important questions about the treatment of the remains of the deceased. While some people may believe in the power of relics, it’s important to respect the dignity of the deceased and not cause harm or disfigurement to the body. Additionally, the canonization of Jacinta as a saint shows that incorruptibility isn’t the only criterion for sainthood; living a holy life and being a model of virtue are equally important.