Religious Response

Humanity has believed for thousands of years that faith can heal sickness. This part of the exhibit showcases various religious attitudes considered to save the body from illness.

Saviors and intercessors have often been promoted as healers due to their connection to God. For example, saints like St Roch and St Christopher have been believed to protect or heal your body from sudden death or disease. St Roch is often represented with an open bulbous sore on his upper thigh indicative of plague. Recently, St Corona became the saint for the coronavirus pandemic due to her name matching the virus.

In these cases there are examples of prayer books used in the times of plague, sermon pamphlets on divine healing and the sinful practice of inoculation, and documents that deem one must first be healed by God before being medically helped.