Head Of St Vitalis, Patron Saint For Genital Diseases, To Be Auctioned Off On Sunday

If you’re scared of venereal diseases and feel you need extra protection from them on top of what your health center can give you, head over to Duleek, Ireland, this Sunday and where the head of St Vitalis, the patron saint for genital diseases, will be sold at an auction.

Lodged in its Queen Anne case, this decapitated head could be yours on Sunday at 3 pm. It has a pre-auction value between $1,100 and $1,700 even though there has actually been no official verification that it is the head of St. Vitalis of Assisi.

This saint lead a life of sinful promiscuity and immorality in his youth but found his way and redeemed himself by going on pilgrimages to various sanctuaries and becoming a Benedictine monk. He later lived as an extremely poor hermit in Italy before dying in 1370.

After his death, stories of his ability to perform miracles on those with bladder and genital maladies spread and he was beatified as a patron against sicknesses and diseases affecting our precious reproductive organs.

No one really knows how his head got to Ireland, though it is believed that an Anglo-Irish couple acquired it on the “grand tour” of Europe, which wealthy couples often took during the 19th century.

St. Vitalis’ head was displayed at the entrance hall of the current owner’s home for many years but spent the past years locked up in an outhouse; it scared some of the younger visitors of the house.

It will be sold alongside a 1970 TVR6 sports car, which is an option if the remains of a deceased saint does not match your decor.

Contact the author here: sedera@morningquickie.com