Tales from the Crypt: Father Matthew Presents

[Nocturnalux]

This is nothing compared to the skelaton chapels we have here in Portugal. They are basically covered all the way to the ceiling with skulls and bones, and there is even an entire skelaton hanging from chains.

Open to the public, too. Last time I was there an American woman got ill at the sight.

[trinitychiq]

Dust to dust, eh?

[OneStirringThePot]

"as you are now I once was, as I am now you one day will be"

Time is a wasting.........

[calarch78]

Our modern view of death is so sterilized by fear and uncertainty. Even the early American Puritans (who would have hated that chapel by the way) decorated their gravestones with carved skulls, and placed their graves in front of the Meeting House, in the village green for all to pass by daily.

I was initially repulsed by these pictures, but the message it gets across is quite clear. These men neither feared death, nor wasted time on earth. Beautiful.

[ned262626]

Ezekiel 13:21

[ned262626]

I think that Father Matthew was very insightful but was missing the point. The Church clings to human remains not so much for reflection by people looking at them. The real reason is that they hold mysterious powers.

[FatherMatthew]

The power to do what?

[ned262626]

I dont speek for the church;this is my guess of why they hold human remains sacred.Ive read the old testament and there and several cases of human remains having significance.This is an example,"So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.And as a man was being buried, lo, a marauding band was seen and the man was cast into the grave of Elisha; and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood on his feet".

[sprtslvr1973]

matter (relics) are shown in scripture to have Grace and healing.

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Also and perhaps more often is the simple fact that bones remind us of our own very temporal mortality. As Elder Cleopas said to always keep Death in front of you to stay on the right path.

[Bosmyer]

hmmmm I think this is why I love the Episcopal Church! :D

[genegroom]

Tori Amos? I almost got killed for playing a Tori Amos piece in church - LOL

[happyjesus123]

Fascinating video, thanks. There is a trend in how death is depicted in funerary art it becomes less graphic over time. For example, skulls become cherubs. James Deetz a historical archaeologist and others have written about this. There are some good examples at:  deejaysgravestonesDOTnet/Grave­yardMotifs.htm

[spieldose]

I actually visited that church decorated with all the bones. I found it creepy, and my boyfriend's still horrified today. haha. Anyway, I like your videos. If more reverends were like you, I'm sure there'd be more convincing arguments for God. Good luck in what you do. We two atheists like you.

[shirasuresh]

you have got a nice show here on YouTube, you got a new subscriber too ;P. a nonbeliever, but who cares, right?

[vdizhoor]

Cool. A little creepy. But interesting.

[billydinpvd]

There's a similar chapel in Evora, Portugal. Ordinarily I *like* old dead bodies - mummies, saints' relics, whatever, bring 'em on. But the idea of turning a human body into an interior design element really disturbed me.

[miggsathon]

Normally when Scripture talks about overcoming death, I think of it in terms of overcoming spiritual death on this earth, kind of like how the OT refers to the "way of life" and the "way of death." You're using it more literally here -- which is fine, but not quite the way I usually think of it. Glad to see this perspective.

[FatherMatthew]

I agree with you, acknowledging that death is a many-layered cake.

[Travers54]

Do you believe that the christian hope is a literal resurrection of the body or is our life hid and secured in the person of Christ who is the resurrection and the life.Please answer my question Father Matthew as I would appreciate your opinion on this important AND revelant issue.

[Travers54]

Hello,hello can you hear me or are you even listening.Father Matthew I have asked a simple question and you as yet have not answered let alone acknowledged it. So put your training seminary skills to work and prove your calling to guide and instruct in the christian gospel.

[SadieDammit]

I hope you drop him an email asking your questions, as he likely does not see every comment.

[Travers54]

Thank you for your reply Sadie, much appreciated.

[SadieDammit]

You're very welcome :)

[robheimburger]

Fascinating. Thanks for the 90s era Boards of Canada, too.

[FatherMatthew]

It's because of you that I even know them. I remember the 90's!

[hlinskona]

Great vlog, Father. This was really awesome. Pax Christi!

[Nadine1955]

Hmm, interesting use of remains. :-/

[LynnyLee]

Great explanation of the use of the remains. It certainly is food for thought.

[msm2you]

While the use of actual bones as a means of remembrance may seem odd, I would remind everyone that this iconography is not unusual. In Mexico, skulls are very much a part of the culture when celebrating the Day of the Dead.

We don't have regular yearly outpourings of grief and remembrance in Western society which may account for for the reverence of people like Princess Diana.

The bones remind us time passes very quickly.

[floridaredhead]

El Dio de los Muertos!! Like the Gaelic Samhain!

Hey, recognizing our deceased ancestors has always been a deep human need, hasn't it?

[catnipper56]

I love the quote - what you are, we once were, what we are, you will be (or something like that) GREAT JOB!

[Shamrockguy]

"real live corpses" hehehe. I saw the remains of St. Mundita in Munich she was just a skeleton wearing golden clothes with fake glass eyes that stare at you. If I was a saint then I wouldn't want my body on display.

[40Bicycles]

I love your videos, Father Matthew. The hope of resurrection to eternal life enables us to be open and honest about death, which is probably one of our society's greatest remaining taboo subjects.

[Lauralizabeth]

That place seems more than amazing. Why are we all so scared of death? Why can't we all just be friends with our fate?

I really appreciate the use of some Tori Amos, I adore her.

[nubius]

Peace be with you, Father Moretz.

Thanks for showing us in a light that isn't completely dismissive. When I say "us" I mean catholics. We're really not all bad. I've always felt real determinate focuses within that religion. It's best not to take things for granted, and to see them as they are.

[andreasoccerbum]

I don't think it's morbid at all rather a cool reminder that we all will eventually kick it. If you are ever in Paris you should check out their catacombs. They are absolutely amazing!

[ddelray]

"Death be not Proud. Thou shalt die!"