Innocence Asleep? Victim Soul? Sad Hoax?

March 28, 2005 7:49 AM

A Living Saint.
Audrey causes a frenzy with her blessings.
Her mother clears the corners
and opens the doors, ringing in the constituency
and clicking the number-cruncher as they come.
posted by grabbingsand (13 comments total)

damn........i SO want a t-shirt
posted by lemonfridge at 8:06 AM on March 28, 2005

They pointed out that Audrey is not in a coma, but rather, a state of akinetic mutism -- non-speaking, non-moving. She is aware of what is going on around her, they said.

I suffer from sleep paralysis (which is temporary paralysis on waking) and ending up in a state like that permanently is my worst nightmare. It's terrifying to not be able to talk or move. That poor kid.
posted by fshgrl at 8:32 AM on March 28, 2005

Audrey Santo has been unable to move or talk since she came close to drowning in a swimming pool in 1987. Since then a series of unexplained religious occurrences have taken place around her.

Why does God always prefer those He loves best to be unhappy, or crippled, or crucified, or (almost) sacrificed by their fathers?

What's God got against people being happy?
posted by orthogonality at 8:32 AM on March 28, 2005

Are nominations open yet for Biggest MeFi Troll?
posted by spock at 8:34 AM on March 28, 2005

How sad.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 8:44 AM on March 28, 2005

has prompted the Catholic bishop of Worcester to order an official investigation by theologians, psychologists and scientists.

If the adoration of Audrey can inspire and rejuvenate people spiritually and emotionally, I'm glad. But what's with the science? And exactly what kind of scientific investigation does a bishop order?
posted by boymilo at 8:47 AM on March 28, 2005

boymilo: I think the investigation isn't generally to prove someone is a saint, it's to make sure there isn't some rational scientific explanation for the occurrences. They want to rule out any other explination.
posted by Kellydamnit at 8:54 AM on March 28, 2005

Prayer – Adoration – Refreshments

Sounds like a good deal to me!
posted by borkingchikapa at 9:11 AM on March 28, 2005

Among other things, the commission members showed skepticism toward claims that Audrey is a "victim soul" (one who suffers for others).

What an appalling concept.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 9:20 AM on March 28, 2005

When I was at school there was a 14-year old girl who had a miraculous power to cause a frenzy.

We didn't call her a saint, though.
posted by Decani at 9:28 AM on March 28, 2005

The blood had been mixed with pork fat so that, when the room warmed from pilgrims' body heat, the mixture would liquefy and run like tears.

Even sceptics have to give them credit for resourcefulness.

(fshgrl, I get that too. It is extremely disquieting)
posted by verisimilitude at 10:30 AM on March 28, 2005

heh ... this is occurring in the city of my childhood. Why am I not surprised?
posted by madamjujujive at 10:47 AM on March 28, 2005

So pork fat in the blood, chicken fat in the oil. I sense a pattern, and it is fast food.

By the way, the 15 links were a bit difficult to deal with, especially since their progression didn't seem to tell a story at all. Overload!
posted by sninky-chan at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2005