The relics of the Virgin's Milk , formerly known as the "relics of the holy Laict", short for "relics of the Milk Grotto", have played a significant role in spirituality and folk medicine across Europe for centuries. These relics, similar to the water in the Lourdes Grotto today, were considered "souvenirs" of holy places, renowned for their healing powers. Before Lourdes became a world-renowned pilgrimage site, the Milk Grotto occupied a central place in universal devotion.
Origins and Importation of Relics
History of Relics
For centuries, the relics of the Milk Grotto were widely imported throughout Europe, becoming objects of fascination for believers. This phenomenon finds its roots in the strong Christian symbolism attached to these relics. According to legend, the white rock of the grotto of Bethlehem was whitened by a drop of the Virgin Mary's milk when she breastfed the Child Jesus. This maternal and sacred symbolism gave the relics a particular appeal, especially for families seeking blessing or healing.
Milk Grotto in Bethlehem
The Crusades played a key role in spreading these relics across the European continent. Knights and pilgrims returning from the Holy Land brought back small pieces of the white limestone rock from the Milk Grotto, believing it to have miraculous properties. This launched a movement of continuous importation that spanned centuries, reaching believers of all social classes. These relics were often ground into powder and mixed with water, thus recreating an elixir considered holy, in a ritual reminiscent of the miraculous water of Lourdes.
Milk Grotto in Bethlehem
Comparison with Lourdes Water
The analogy with the miraculous water of Lourdes is apt, as both relics share a similar reputation for healing. Lourdes, famous for its waters that were said to cure illness, became a major pilgrimage site in the 19th century. However, the relics of the Milk Grotto already had a centuries-old reputation in Europe for their healing properties, particularly with regard to fertility and breastfeeding. Like the water of Lourdes, the relics of the Milk Grotto were seen as divine sources of healing.
Objects of Devotion and Spiritual Curiosities
Relics of the Virgin's milk, considered extremely rare and precious treasures, were not only sought after for their healing properties. They were also brought back as objects of devotion or sacred souvenirs. However, very few pilgrims were lucky enough to bring back these relics. Those who possessed a fragment of the Virgin's milk considered it a true privilege, an inestimable blessing in an era when travel to the Holy Land was rare and expensive. When they shared these treasures with family members or friends who had been unable to make the pilgrimage, they helped to spread their fame within European homes, where Catholic piety, especially towards the Virgin Mary, played a central role.
Reliquary of the Holy Milk of the Virgin Mary on relics.es
Pilgrims of All Faiths
A fascinating aspect of the diffusion of these relics lies in the diversity of the pilgrims who brought them back. Unlike other holy objects exclusively linked to Christianity, the relics of the Virgin's milk had a universal significance, transcending religious boundaries. Jewish, Muslim and Christian pilgrims came to pray in the grotto, often taking fragments with them, convinced of their miraculous powers.
This demonstrates that concerns about motherhood, fertility, and health transcended religious distinctions. In the medieval world, motherhood was revered as a fundamental aspect of life, explaining why individuals of different faiths placed so much faith in these relics. This universality allowed the relics of the Virgin's milk to circulate in diverse geographical and religious contexts, increasing their reach and influence across Europe and beyond.
Over the centuries, these precious relics have established themselves as objects of great spiritual and symbolic value. Their fame was based on their supposed healing properties, comparable to those of the miraculous water of Lourdes, while being integrated into varied religious and cultural traditions. Carried by pilgrims of all faiths, these relics served not only as objects of faith and devotion, but also as precious testimonies of spiritual journeys, profoundly marking popular religiosity and European Christian heritage.
Testimony of Laurentius Surius
Laurentius Surius, a scholar of the time, documented the antiquity of this tradition. He mentions that women of various faiths – Jewish, Christian and Muslim – would go to the Milk Grotto to pray and send tablets and small loaves of white, crumbly chalk across Europe to heal the sick. Here is an excerpt from his testimony:
"Therefore, we should not be surprised that the pilgrims of this time distributed with great reverence the stones and pieces of earth that they brought from the Holy Places of Palestine, as Saint Augustine and Saint Gregory, Bishop of Tours, testify, saying that by mixing these stones or earth with water, they were raised to make tablets, which were carried and sent throughout the world for the healing of the sick."
— Laurentius Surius
Distinction between Relics
It is crucial not to confuse the relics of the Milk Grotto, sold under the name of "Milk of the Virgin", with "Milk of the Virgin", a substance used by alchemists for centuries, which is a homonym.
Reliquary cross of the Saint-Hilaire d'Orval church
Pilgrims' Tales
Access to the Holy Land was limited for most believers in the Middle Ages, but this did not prevent the circulation of accounts by pilgrims and travelers who helped to make these sacred places known beyond geographical boundaries. These accounts played a crucial role in awakening curiosity and devotion towards religious sites, including the Milk Grotto.
The first known account of a visit to the Milk Grotto is attributed to Philippe de Busseri, a French pilgrim who documented his journey in the 13th century. His account, which emphasizes the veneration of holy places, is a valuable source for understanding the spiritual importance of the Grotto.
Although the original work is not fully accessible, several sources mention his journey and his impressions.
Philippe de Busseri is often cited for describing the Milk Grotto with wonder, emphasizing its spiritual and miraculous characteristics. In his writings, he recounts his journey to the Holy Land, his devotion and the mystical experiences he had, including how the Grotto was seen as a place of healing and protection.
The importance of his account lies not only in documenting the holy sites, but also in the way it helped to awaken the interest and devotion of European Christians towards the Milk Grotto. The details of his experience have been relayed in various historical and religious works, reinforcing the reputation of the Grotto as a place of miracles.
Through his words, one can feel the wonder and devotion that this sacred place inspired.
Other notable figures have also left their impressions on the Milk Grotto. François Quaresmius, a 17th-century guardian of the holy places, wrote accounts that helped promote knowledge of the sacred sites among European Christians. Marcel Ladoire, a Friar Minor passing through the Holy Land, also shared his experience, thus enriching the oral and written tradition about the Grotto and its virtues.
These testimonies, coming from Franciscans and pilgrims of various origins, have not only helped to preserve the memory of the Milk Grotto, but also to spread the devotion surrounding it. They have served as links between the holy places and European homes, helping to make the Milk Grotto a symbol of faith and hope for many believers throughout the centuries.
Golden Dove, reliquary of the Holy Milk
The Legend of the Milk Cave
Origin of Virtue
The Milk Grotto, located in Bethlehem, is steeped in a legend deeply linked to sacred motherhood and Marian devotion. According to this tradition, the Virgin Mary took refuge there to breastfeed the Child Jesus during his flight to Egypt. During this intimate and maternal act, a few drops of her milk accidentally flowed onto the limestone rock of the grotto. This event is said to have imbued the rock with a miraculous virtue, causing a spring to gush forth and changing the composition of the surrounding stone, which became soft and bright white, similar to milk. This story explains the transformation of the grotto into a place of veneration.
Legend has it that this simple drop of milk transformed the stone into a symbol of purity and motherhood. The once ordinary rock would have acquired supernatural properties. This mixture of milk and dust from the cave, known as the “Virgin’s milk,” would have given birth to a sacred substance, which pilgrims and believers sought to take home, convinced of its miraculous powers. Because of this act, the Milk Grotto became a privileged place of pilgrimage for women seeking to become mothers or to obtain divine protection for their children.
Properties of Limestone Rock
The rock present in the Milk Grotto is a form of white chalk, also called tuff, a soft and crumbly limestone rock. Composed of minerals such as calcium, sulfur, silica and carbon, this rock has a unique texture that, when ground into powder and mixed with water, forms a creamy paste resembling milk. This natural phenomenon reinforced the idea that the rock of the grotto was imbued with the qualities of mother's milk, thus providing a tangible explanation for the spiritual beliefs that surrounded this place.
The powder extracted from this white limestone rock was used to make small loaves or tablets that were sent across Europe as relics, especially by crusaders returning from the Holy Land. These small pieces of chalk were often mixed with water and consumed or applied as an anointing, in the hope of obtaining blessings or miraculous healings.
This geological phenomenon is not unique to Bethlehem: similar formations exist in other parts of the world, such as Italy, Spain or Canada, where "milk rivers" form in limestone caves under certain conditions. However, it is the legends associated with the Milk Grotto that have made this place a center of devotion. The dispersion of the relics of this chalk limestone within Europe was favored by the fighters and pilgrims who, on their return from the Crusades, brought back with them these sacred fragments, contributing to the popularity of the Milk Grotto in the Christian world.
The legend of the Milk Grotto fuses spirituality and maternal symbolism with natural geological phenomena. This place has thus become a source of faith and hope for generations of believers, attracting pilgrims of all faiths. The belief in the miraculous virtue of the rock of the Milk Grotto, born from this Marian legend, allowed the diffusion of these relics throughout Europe, solidifying the reputation of this holy place throughout Christian history.
Reliquary, Museum of the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo in Montevarchi
The Healing Virtues of Relics
Pharmaceutical Use
Since ancient times, the terra sigillata of the Milk Grotto has been valued for its therapeutic and pharmaceutical properties. This white limestone earth, renowned for its purity and medicinal virtues, has been used as a nutritional supplement rich in essential trace elements such as potassium, zinc and magnesium. These minerals were considered beneficial for health and well-being, and the consumption of this earth was a practice integrated into several ancient medical traditions.
The practice of geophagy —the consumption of earth or clay for its healing benefits—was common in many cultures, particularly in the Arab-Muslim world. Scholars such as Ibn al-Baytar , a famous 13th-century physician and botanist, documented the use of different forms of healing earth in his pharmacological treatises. He described the beneficial properties of the earth from the Milk Cave and other sacred earths, making the practice a bridge between folk medicine and spirituality. This use of earth for its medicinal benefits was so widespread that tablets of this sacred powder were manufactured and distributed throughout Europe, becoming an accessible source of healing.
Miracles and Testimonies
Accounts of miracles attributed to the relics of the Milk Grotto abound in religious and historical writings. Many pilgrims testified to miraculous cures after ingesting the sacred powder from the grotto. One of the most famous of these accounts is that of Francis Quaresmius , a 17th-century pilgrim, who recounted how the soil of the island of Malta became a natural antidote after a Saint Paul repelled a viper there. Quaresmius argued that if God could grant the soil of Malta such virtues to honor the apostle, the relics of the Milk Grotto, associated with the Virgin Mary, also deserved to be venerated for their healing powers.
The relic of the Virgin's holy milk is surrounded by an aura of mystery and miracles, especially in places such as Murcia and Naples, where it is celebrated for its ability to liquefy, taking on the appearance of fresh milk on feast days. This phenomenon of liquefaction is seen as a divine manifestation, a symbol of maternal love and protection, evoking the goodness of the Virgin Mary towards those who venerate her. The faithful see it as an answer to their prayers, a tangible miracle that bears witness to divine grace in their daily lives (
Historical accounts also emphasize that this relic had extraordinary properties, including restoring lactation in wet nurses. In Nantes, for example, the statue in the “Chapelle du Créé-Lait” (now the Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Champs) was known for its ability to promote abundant lactation in nursing women. Mothers came in search of this blessing, hoping to receive milk to feed their children. This type of devotion, reinforced by stories of miracles, illustrates how the relic was integrated into the daily lives of believers, bringing them comfort and hope in times of need.
In addition, the Chapel of the Holy Milk in Reims, where the relic was venerated every week during solemn rites, attracted many faithful eager to bear witness to this miracle. The intensity of the celebrations testifies to the importance of this relic in medieval spirituality, reinforcing the link between the sacred and the everyday. The liquefaction of the holy milk, especially during feasts, was seen as an act of grace, a means by which the Virgin Mary intervened in the lives of believers, bringing not only physical benefits but also a profound spiritual connection.
These accounts of miraculous healings, whether reported by pilgrims or by ecclesiastical authorities, helped to strengthen the reputation of the Milk Grotto as a place of healing and divine protection. The relics were not only considered objects of devotion, but also as concrete instruments of health and well-being.
Lactogenic Virtues
One of the most recognized and celebrated powers of the Milk Grotto relics was their ability to promote lactation in women. According to legend, the sacred powder from the grotto possessed lactogenic properties , and was used to help women who had difficulty producing breast milk. Mothers or wet nurses, who suffered from loss of milk or insufficient production, consumed this powder by mixing it with their food or drink in the hopes of stimulating lactation.
Parishes and cathedrals in Europe that held relics from the Milk Grotto encouraged this practice by distributing the blessed powder to women in need. Many communities strongly believed in the relics' ability to improve lactation , and reports of mothers who had regained their milk after consuming the powder reinforced faith in this miracle. This lactogenic power, attributed to the divine influence of the Virgin Mary, made the relics of the Milk Grotto objects particularly venerated by women, especially those who hoped to become mothers or wet-nurses.
In summary, the relics of the Milk Grotto, thanks to their healing properties and their ability to encourage lactation, have established themselves not only as spiritual symbols, but also as concrete remedies for specific health problems, marking their place in the religious and medical history of Europe.
Trade and Diffusion of Relics
Distribution and Commerce
The trade in relics from the Milk Grotto flourished, particularly during the Middle Ages, a period when spirituality and religious devotion occupied a central place in the daily lives of Europeans. Turks and Arabs played a major role in transporting these precious relics to Africa , Syria , and Turkey . From there, these sacred objects were shipped across Europe, reaching destinations as diverse as Russia , Portugal , Greece , and Armenia . This trade network was facilitated by well-established pilgrimage routes, where believers traveled not only to pray, but also to acquire spiritual souvenirs.
The relics were often carefully packaged in small packages or bags, sealed with the Seal of Bethlehem . This seal was not just a symbol; it guaranteed the authenticity of the relics while evoking their sacred provenance. Merchants who specialized in selling these objects could thus increase their market value, playing on the pilgrims' belief in their healing and protective powers. The relics became prized commodities, attracting the attention of nobles, kings, and even churches, eager to strengthen their spiritual and political power through the acquisition of these treasures.
Reliquaries and Conservation
As these relics were introduced to new locations, their preservation became crucial. The relics were kept in relic chests , often in the company of other sacred objects, away from prying eyes and harmful conditions. The reliquaries , which served as containers for these precious objects, were often adorned with valuable materials, such as gold, silver, and gems. This practice was intended not only to preserve the physical integrity of the relics, but also to give them an aura of respect and veneration.
During the Middle Ages, the Knights Templar , a military and religious order founded to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land, played a vital role in the relic trade. Their network extended across Europe and they were often the middlemen in the distribution of sacred relics, including those from the Milk Grotto. The Templars, as protectors of the pilgrimage routes, also established strong ties with traders, facilitating the transport and sale of relics. Through their influence and power, they helped establish many places of worship where these relics could be venerated.
Relics were often placed in precious reliquaries , which took various forms, ranging from altars and statuettes of the Virgin to reliquary crosses , doves and monstrances . These receptacles, decorated with refined sculptures and rich decorations, served not only to highlight the relics, but also to attract the faithful in search of healing or protection. For example, the Reliquary Cross of the Church of Saint-Hilaire d'Orval and the reliquary of the Sainte Chapelle at the Abbey of Saint-Denis are emblematic examples of this tradition.
The Middle Ages saw a veritable explosion in the veneration of relics, with religious fairs and pilgrimages that attracted thousands of people. These events created an environment conducive to the exchange of relics, promoting their propagation and integration into local religious practices. Believers believed that these sacred objects were powerful intermediaries between humanity and the divine, capable of interceding on their behalf with God.
Cultural and Spiritual Impact
The trade and diffusion of the relics of the Milk Grotto thus had a profound impact on medieval spirituality. They became essential elements of the European religious landscape, attracting pilgrims and devotees who sought to establish a tangible connection with the sacred. Accounts of miracles and healings attributed to these relics multiplied, reinforcing their reputation and spiritual value.
The trade in relics from the Milk Grotto, supported by key players such as the Knights Templar, helped to forge links between different cultures and faiths, establishing a network of devotion that transcended geographical and religious boundaries. These relics became not only objects of veneration, but also symbols of faith, hope and miracles in the hearts of believers across Europe.
Testimonies and Famous Stories
Testimonies of Pilgrims
Ancient accounts of pilgrims visiting the Milk Grotto attest to a rich tradition of miracles and healings attributed to the relics of this sacred site. Many visitors reported extraordinary experiences that strengthened their faith in the healing powers of the cave's soil. These stories, often passed down from generation to generation, illustrate the importance of the cave in medieval spirituality and its impact on the lives of those desperately seeking solutions to their suffering.
Among the most notable testimonies are those of wet nurses who, after consuming the earth from the grotto, managed to regain their lactation, lost for various reasons. These women, often faced with the pain of not being able to feed their children, saw in the earth of the Milk Grotto an answer to their prayers. Specific rituals surrounded this practice, where pilgrims gathered to pray and invoke the blessings of the Virgin Mary, thus reinforcing the idea that the earth was a channel of divine grace.
Other accounts tell of miraculous cures of ophthalmia. Pilgrims suffering from eye problems would come to the cave, convinced that the white powder contained in its walls had the power to restore their sight. Testimonies of these cures circulated widely, and stories of regained vision became legends that attracted new visitors, seeking the same divine favor.
The writings of pilgrims, both Christian and of other faiths, highlight the impact of the Milk Grotto on the spiritual and daily lives of the people. These stories of miracles and healings contributed to the construction of a mythology around the grotto, placing it at the center of the devotional practices of the time. Thus, the Milk Grotto became an essential place of pilgrimage, synonymous with hope and faith, whose appeal has endured through the ages.
Places housing or having housed relics of the Milk of the Holy Virgin: A Spiritual and Historical Journey
The relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, renowned for their legendary origin linked to the Blessed Virgin, have crossed centuries and borders, establishing deep links between the Christian faith and miraculous healings. This phenomenon has given rise to many places of worship in Europe where these precious relics are preserved.
Saint-Hilaire Church in Orval, Belgium
Located in the Gaume region, the Saint-Hilaire Church is an important pilgrimage site for devotees of the Blessed Virgin. It houses a reliquary containing relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, often considered symbols of protection and healing. The faithful gather there to pray and ask for miracles, particularly physical and spiritual healings.
The Holy Chapel, Paris, France
This famous Gothic chapel is known for its magnificent stained glass windows. It also holds relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, considered divine gifts of healing. The Sainte Chapelle is a place of Marian devotion where pilgrims come to pray and ask for graces through the venerated relics.
The Abbey of Saint-Denis, France
The Abbey of Saint-Denis, an iconic site in the Kingdom of France, houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin. These relics are venerated for their association with the protection of Mary and attract many devotees seeking blessings and healings. The abbey has a long history of devotion, reinforcing the importance of Marian veneration.
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
A famous place of pilgrimage, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela also preserves relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin. Pilgrims invoke these relics for healings or blessings. The cathedral plays a major role in Christian spirituality and the rites associated with relics.
St. Peter's Church, Rome, Italy
The Church of St. Peter, one of the largest places of Christian worship, holds relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, particularly venerated in the context of Marian worship. Pilgrims come in search of miracles and healings in this majestic setting, a symbol of Christianity.
Notre Dame Church, Nice, France
The Church of Our Lady, located on the French Riviera, houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, primarily for women seeking blessings regarding lactation. This church is known for its Marian celebrations, reinforcing the connection between the relics and devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
Clairvaux Monastery, France
Founded by Saint Bernard, the Clairvaux Monastery holds relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin. This monastic site, conducive to meditation, attracts the faithful in search of healing. Monastic ceremonies incorporate these relics, emphasizing their importance in Christian spirituality.
Reims Cathedral, France
Reims Cathedral, famous for being the coronation site of the kings of France, also houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin. These relics are venerated by the faithful and are associated with divine protection.
The Church of Our Lady of Loreto, Italy
Known for its architecture and history, this church houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, attracting pilgrims seeking healing and spiritual comfort.
The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome, Italy
This basilica, considered the cathedral of Rome, also holds relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, making this place a central point of Marian devotion in the eternal city.
Cologne, Convent of the Preaching Friars, Germany
This medieval convent in Cologne preserves relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, often venerated by pilgrims seeking miracles.
Bath, England
The "Bath List", kept in Cambridge (Corpus Christi manuscript), mentions relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, attesting to their importance in the 11th century.
Glastonbury, England
Glastonbury is another famous place for housing relics of the Blessed Virgin's Milk, attracting many pilgrims over the centuries.
Walsingham, England
Walsingham, mentioned under Edward I for the relic of Mary's milk, is a well-known place of Marian devotion.
Westminster, England
Westminster Cathedral also preserves relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, reinforcing Marian veneration within the Anglican Church.
Convent of San Damiano of the Poor Clare Nuns in Assisi, Italy
This convent houses vials containing relics of the Milk of the Holy Virgin, venerated by the sisters and the faithful.
Church of Saint Mary in Campitelli, Rome, Italy
Santa Maria in Campitelli is a church where relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin are kept, attracting faithful in search of miracles.
Church of Saint Alexis, Rome, Italy
The Church of Saint-Alexis preserves relics of the Milk of the Holy Virgin, integrated into its devotional rites.
St. Mark's Basilica, Venice, Italy
St. Mark's Basilica, the symbol of Venice, houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, integrated into devotional practices.
Church of Saint Patricia, Genoa, Italy
This church preserves relics of the Milk of the Holy Virgin, venerated for their healing powers.
Church of St. Louis of the Minimes, Naples, Italy
In Naples, this church houses relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin, which were famous for their healing ability.
Agira, Sicily, Italy
In Sicily, in Agira, relics of the Milk of the Blessed Virgin were brought from Palestine by monks in the 12th century, contributing to Marian veneration.
Conclusion
The relics of the Milk Grotto of the Virgin have played a central role in spirituality and folk medicine in Europe for centuries. Their legend, associated with healing and lactogenic virtues, allowed their diffusion across the continent via trade and pilgrimages. Although Lourdes has now replaced the Milk Grotto as a major pilgrimage site, the legacy of these relics remains a fascinating testimony to faith and traditional medical practices.
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