A healing ointment of two saint-candidates

This chapter analyses ointments prepared and utilized by saints-to-be in late medieval and early modern Europe, examining how such ointments functioned, transmitted power and gained influence in ‘vernacular theology’ and lay devotion. My focus is on two female saints in particular: Jeanne-Marie de Maillé (1331–1414) from Tours and Francesca Bussa dei Ponziani (1384–1440) from Rome. Both women prepared ointments with which they treated injured people looking for healing at their homes. Moreover, a centuries-long textual tradition testifies to an ongoing practice of producing the same ointment in the very same pot Francesca used and to the miraculous healings it continued to achieve. Lived religion thus elucidates the dichotomy between medicine and relic, magic and miracle, offering a new perspective on religious miracle rituals and definitions of relics.