Saint-Medard, Interior

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Saint-Medard, Interior

SAINT-MEDARD, Paris Convulsionnaires gather in a room near the cemetery of Saint-Medard, where M de Paris is buried : extraordinary manifestations occur Date: 1731

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Media ID 14276157

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1731 Altered Buried Cemetery Extraordinary Gather Manifestations Occur Convulsions Medard Paranormal

EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative image from 1731, a group of Convulsionnaires, or possessed individuals, are depicted in the interior of the church of Saint-Medard in Paris. The church, located near the cemetery where the legendary figure M de Paris was buried, was renowned for its association with the paranormal and altered states. The Convulsionnaires, who were believed to be in a state of ecstasy, are shown gathered together in the dimly lit room. Their bodies are contorted in various ways, with some appearing to be in a trance-like state, while others are convulsing and shaking uncontrollably. The atmosphere is one of fervent devotion and spiritual intensity, as the individuals seem to be lost in their own spiritual experiences. The phenomenon of convulsions and altered states had been occurring at Saint-Medard for several years, attracting large crowds of curious onlookers and pilgrims. The church became a site of pilgrimage for those seeking healing or spiritual enlightenment, and the Convulsionnaires were believed to be the vessels through which divine grace was manifested. Despite the widespread belief in the authenticity of these manifestations, they were also subject to skepticism and criticism from the Church and the medical community. Some saw the Convulsionnaires as frauds, while others believed they were truly possessed by the Holy Spirit. Regardless of the motivations behind their behavior, the image of the Convulsionnaires at Saint-Medard remains a fascinating glimpse into the religious and spiritual beliefs of the time. This photograph, taken from an original print from Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a unique window into the past, transporting us back to a time when the boundaries between the spiritual and the physical were blurred, and the extraordinary was a common occurrence.

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