Forensic examination proves legend about Catholic saint to be TRUE!

Many Catholic legends survive scientific scrutiny because they are true.

Scientists have confirmed that an ancient Catholic legend about a saint is true. Scholars examining the relics of Erik the Lawgiver, a former King of Sweden, have concluded that the nearly thousand-year-old legend surrounding his demise is true.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - A common retort by skeptics when faced with stories of the saints, is that the stories are merely legends. It is a way of diminishing the credibility of the stories and the belief that comes with them. It implies that believers are fools.

However, on several notable occasions, Christian legends have been proven with scientific study. For example, the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah were long ago discovered in Israel, wholly destroyed by fire as described in the Bible.

Just over two years ago, in April 2014, scientists opened the reliquary of Saint Erik, also known as Erik IX of Sweden, or Erik the Lawgiver. Saint Erik was a Swedish King who ruled from about 1150 to 1160 AD. Very little is known about him except from Catholic legend.

According to Catholic legend, Saint Erik was a great Christian who established a fair and just code of laws for the Swedes. He also led a crusade against pagan Finland.

Unfortunately, not all appreciated his justice and a treacherous rival for his throne started an armed rebellion against the saintly monarch. Following a battle, Saint Erik was surrounded by his enemies who began to torture him. He was repeatedly beaten, cut and stabbed but not lethally. He was taunted and forced to suffer. Eventually, his captors grew tired and he was beheaded.

Saint Erik was chosen as the patron saint of Stockholm. However, the story of his death became legend and as such, the skeptics seized the advantage. To conclude the matter once and for all, scientists unlocked Saint Erik's reliquary, and performed a series of forensic examinations on his bones.

The forensic examination revealed a lot. It dated the remains, and the age of death of the fallen saint, confirming these parts of the Catholic legend. It confirmed his identity from wounds that healed before his death. And it confirmed the method of his death, with unhealed marks on his bones from swords. It was confirmed that he was executed by beheading, because during battle he would have worn a helmet to prevent beheading. Naturally, his helmet would have been removed once he was captured.

In short, the forensic examination confirmed every part of the Catholic legend about Saint Erik.

The stories of many old saints are shrouded in mystery because they are so far removed from our time. However, the stories of saints are special, unlike fairy tales and other stores we share of times of old. This example offers proof that the stories of our saints can be believed, and the skeptics can better spend their time worrying about other things besides the integrity of our faith.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online