Catholic Medical Quarterly Volume 75(3) August 2025
Book review
The Sanctified body
by Patricia Treece.
Angelico Press.
Reviewed by Dr Pravin Thevasathan
I
have read plenty of psychiatric textbooks that claim St Joan of Arc was
insane, St Catherine of Siena had an eating disorder, St Teresa of Avila
had sexual hangups and St Bernadette had neurosis. The late Professor
Andrew Sims responded that psychiatrists and psychologists have no
expertise in this area except to diagnose mental illness, if it exists.
And, of course, there have always been frauds and those controlled by evil
spirits.
This beautiful book shows us that genuine mystics are firstly and foremost souls who do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. Above all they love God and neighbour. Everything else flows from this. Some of them possessed extraordinary manifestations, reminding us that holiness affects both body and soul.
Some of these manifestations include levitation, bilocation, the odour of sanctity and the ability to live without food or drink. Among the holy people discussed are Padre Pio, St John Vianney, St Titus Brandsma, St Gaspar del Bufalo, St John Bosco, Blessed Miguel Pro, Blessed Anna Marie Taigi, and Blessed Marie of Jesus Crucified.
Some caution is needed as the author discusses some controversial cases including that of Gino Buresi. The author also mentions some non-Catholics, including Agnes Sandford, and even some non-Christians.
That said, this book is a wonderful source of inspiration for the discerning reader.