Saints And Scents: Exploring The Divine Fragrance

The Odour of Sanctity is a term used by the Catholic Church to describe a specific scent, often compared to flowers, that emanates from saints, especially from the wounds of stigmata. This phenomenon is called osmogenesia, and it is believed that saints like Padre Pio, St. Theresa of Ávila, St. Thérèse de Lisieux, and St. Pio of Pietrelcina possessed this gift. The odour of sanctity can be understood in two ways: as an ontological state indicating a person's state of grace, or as an actual scent present at the time of death and beyond. While some believe this odour is a true miracle, others attribute it to natural causes such as ketosis brought on by fasting.

The odor of sanctity

The "Odor of Sanctity" is a term that emerged in the Middle Ages to describe a specific scent, often compared to flowers, that emanates from the bodies of saints, particularly from the wounds of stigmata. This phenomenon is called osmogenesia, and it is believed to be an indication of the individual's state of grace or holiness. The scent is also believed to be present at the time of death and for some time afterward.

According to the Catholic Church, saints who exhibit this phenomenon are called myroblytes, while the exudation itself is referred to as myroblysia or myroblytism. Some well-known saints associated with the odor of sanctity include Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Thérèse de Lisieux (known as "the Little Flower"), and Padre Pio.

In ascetical theology, the odor of sanctity is associated with the fragrance proceeding from a saint's person, clothing, or domicile during life or after death. It is also linked to a reputation for extraordinary holiness. The sense of smell plays a crucial role in perceiving these agreeable odors, which can evoke feelings of wellness, joy, and happiness.

While the odor of sanctity may have a supernatural origin, there are also potential natural explanations. One theory suggests that the scent could be due to the smell of acetone and/or acetoacetic acid, caused by ketosis brought on by starvation from fasting.

Saints and fragrances

The phenomenon is called osmogenesia, and it is believed that some saints possessed this gift, allowing people to perceive their presence through the smell of personal perfumes. For example, St. Pio was known for his holy perfumes, which could often be smelled by those around him, even after he had passed through a place.

The odour of sanctity is also associated with the wounds of saints bearing stigmata. Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, known as "the Little Flower", reportedly produced a strong scent of roses at her death, which lingered for days. Similarly, the blood issuing from Padre Pio's stigmata was said to smell of flowers.

The concept of the odour of sanctity is not limited to Catholic saints. In the Bible, St. Paul links holiness in Christ to the image of a fragrant aroma, stating that believers are "the aroma of Christ to God".

The perception of fragrances from saints has been interpreted as a sign of their holiness and a reminder of the presence of God. It is a phenomenon that continues to be experienced and reported by people of strong faith, even in modern times.

The science behind the scent

The Chemistry of Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are complex mixtures of aromatic compounds, which can be categorized into three main types: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the initial scents that are light and fresh, creating the first impression. Middle notes form the body of the fragrance and emerge after the top notes evaporate, often with floral, fruity, or spicy characters. Base notes are deep and long-lasting, becoming noticeable as the fragrance dries down and providing stability and longevity.

The use of natural versus synthetic fragrance molecules is a significant distinction in modern perfumery. Natural molecules, derived from plants, fruits, and flowers, offer complex and multi-layered scents but can be volatile and challenging to harvest. On the other hand, synthetic molecules allow for more consistency and creativity, enabling the creation of new scents or mimicking natural ones.

The Olfactory System and Sense of Smell

Our sense of smell is a complex process that involves the interaction of sensory organs, nerves, and the brain. The olfactory system includes the nose, nasal cavity, olfactory epithelium, cribriform plate, olfactory nerve, olfactory bulbs, olfactory tract, and olfactory cortex. The olfactory epithelium, located in the nasal cavity, contains millions of chemical receptors that detect odours.

The Link Between Taste and Smell

Taste and aroma are closely intertwined, and our perception of flavour is largely dependent on our sense of smell. When we chew and swallow food, aroma molecules reach the nasal epithelium retronasally, contributing significantly to our perception of flavour. This is why we lose our sense of taste when we have a cold and our nose is blocked.

The Role of Ageing and Mental Health

Ageing can impact our sense of smell, as the total number of olfactory cells tends to decline, especially after the age of 70. Additionally, conditions such as Parkinson's disease and depression have been associated with a reduced sense of smell.

Scent, Emotion, and Memory

The olfactory system is closely connected to the limbic system in the brain, which is involved in processing emotions, survival instincts, and memory formation. This connection explains why scents can trigger both positive and negative emotions, as they are associated with specific memories.

The Impact of Body Chemistry

Body chemistry, including skin type and pH level, can influence how a perfume smells on an individual. Oily skin, for example, can enhance and project the scent of a perfume, while dry skin may cause it to fade faster. Additionally, diet, lifestyle choices, and even workout routines can affect how a fragrance interacts with our body and its longevity.

Pheromones and Attraction

Pheromones are natural chemicals released through the skin that play a role in attraction and social connection. While animals primarily rely on pheromones for mating and socialising, humans consider a combination of physical and psychological factors. However, many perfumes incorporate synthetic pheromones to enhance attraction.

The significance of the odor of sanctity

The odor of sanctity is a term that emerged in the Middle Ages to describe a specific scent—often compared to flowers—that emanates from the bodies of saints, particularly from the wounds of stigmata. This phenomenon is called osmogenesia, and it is believed to be a sign of holiness and grace. The odor of sanctity can be understood in two ways: as an ontological state, indicating a person is in a state of grace, or as an actual odour present at the time of death and for some time after.

Saints who were reported to have emitted heavenly scents after their deaths include Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Maravillas of Jesus, and Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, who was said to have produced a strong scent of roses that lingered for days. Similarly, Madame Elisabeth gave off a fragrance of roses at the moment she was guillotined. The blood from the stigmata of Padre Pio was also said to smell of flowers.

In ascetical theology, the odor of sanctity is believed to proceed from the person, clothing, or dwelling of a saint during life or after death. It is often associated with a reputation for extraordinary holiness. Postulators examining causes for sainthood have found that saintly men and women have emitted agreeable fragrances, such as orange blossom, cinnamon, musk, violet, and rose.

The sense of smell can play a significant role in perceiving and remembering scents, whether agreeable or foul. Aromatic substances and perfumes have a long history in religion, health, and personal pleasure. They are mentioned throughout the Bible and were used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome for various purposes, including religious rituals and medicinal practices.

Saints who gave off fragrances

The "odour of sanctity" is a term used by the Catholic Church to describe a specific scent, often compared to flowers, that emanates from the bodies of saints, especially from the wounds of stigmata. These saints are called myroblytes, and the exudation is referred to as myroblysia or myroblytism. The odour of sanctity can be understood in two ways: as an ontological state indicating a person is in a state of grace, or as an actual odour present at the time of death and for some time after.

The phenomenon is also known as osmogenesia, and it is said that St. Pio had the gift of holy perfumes or odours of holiness. People close to him would often smell these perfumes, which emanated from his body, his clothing, or objects he had touched. The scent was sometimes noticeable in places he had passed through.

Several saints are said to have emitted heavenly scents immediately after their deaths. Saint Teresa of Ávila's perfume scent filled her monastery the moment she died, and Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, a French Discalced Carmelite known as "the Little Flower", produced a strong scent of roses at her death, which lingered for days. Madame Elisabeth, who was guillotined, is said to have caused "an odour of roses [to be] diffused over the Place de la Révolution" where she died. Saint Polycarp's scorched body is said to have smelled of frankincense after he was burned to death.

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