<i>Die Gegenwart von Heiligen und Reliquien</i> (review)
John Howe
Reviewed by: Die Gegenwart von Heiligen und Reliquien John Howe Reliquien. By Arnold Angenendt. Edited by Hubertus Lutterbach. (Münster: Aschendorff Verlag. 2010. Pp. 260. €29,80. ISBN 978-3-402-12836-7.) Angenendt studied Catholic theology and history at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster, was ordained 1963, completed a Habilitationsschrift 1975. He held chair for liturgical science where, among many other distinguished publications prior to his “retirement” 1999, he magisterial synthesis on Heilige (Münster, 1994) that became premier guide hagiology German-speaking world. His career continues through series of appointments invitations, now Lutterbach has chosen commemorate Angenendt’s seventy-fifth birthday republishing some articles matters hagiographical. offers an introduction linking Angendt’s studies relics contemporary German fixations body, pilgrimages, themes. Even with assumption (sometimes tenuous) links postulated, connect body scholarship today’s effervescent popular culture neither validates former nor forestalls impending obsolescence latter. More useful are eight Angenendt; although two these were previously available major journals, most published symposia, local periodicals, Festschriften beloved scholars but not American libraries. The best deserve wider public. To 1994 symposium medieval historiography, contributed “Gesta Dei—Gesta Hominum,” observations how writers used “anger God” as causative factor religious theological history. 2002 miracles offered history-of-religions Christian perspective. In 1999 issue journal presented few pages St. Martin homo Dei bishop. important is 1991 Saeculum article “Corpus Incorruptum,” unprecedented survey pre-Christian traditions miraculously preserved bodies. Perhaps original insightful piece—“In Porticu Ecclesiae Sepultus,” originally Festschrift Karl Hauk—presents development tradition burial forecourts churches mirroring eschatological visions souls just awaiting judgment gates towers heavenly Jerusalem. From comes overview non-Christian have their own vitality, “sprouting like plants.” A study from piety looks resurrected clear crystal. 1997 Revue d’histoire ecclésiastique evaluates literature Patrozinenforschung, patronage networks saints, traditional specialty centered folk national identities involves new researchers questions—here presents theory about dedications Savior, early tradition, re-emerge Carolingian north. [End Page 572] Much attraction involved systematic way moved initial definition topical narrative stretching Christianity present. Despite Lutterbach’s efforts, emphasized echoing title, this eclectic collection no II. Yet do common traits. All rely heavily primary sources, proceeding means “thick description.” Germanocentric use secondary literature, masterworks appear. Many incorporate broad perspective quick identify parallels traditions. here timeless world phenomenology religions does always coexist smoothly attempts identifying origins: Did Sulpicius Severus give West its first example Vir Dei? Was Gregory Tours one treat “relic worship” depersonalized way? Such tensions may be inherent material, but, because universal perspective, questing after what Marc Bloch called “idol origins” can disconcerting. 1 Nevertheless...
Catholic Historical Review