The embodied aspects and bodily dynamics of extraordinary individuals (saints, sages, heroes, etc.) are well known and vary widely across traditions. Saints have been regularly studied for the ways that their (cultivated and represented) bodies perfect, unsettle, transgress, and critique human norms. This panel extends these reliable questions about saintly embodiment beyond the realm of the human. How do they exist in bodies that are decidedly not human or adjacent to the human realm (animal, spiritual, technological, spatial, etc.). In other words, in what ways are saintly figures embedded in systems of nonhuman life (and with what effect in their hagiographical media)? In what ways have saintly bodies transcended or exited the realm of the human through their own supernatural powers or others’ technological adaptations? To what extent and in what ways do these theoretical discussions advance the work of comparative and cross-cultural analysis of such extraordinary individuals?
Roundtable Session
In-person November Annual Meeting 2025
Saints and (Alternative) Embodiment
Hosted by: Hagiology Seminar
Abstract for Online Program Book (maximum 150 words)
Audiovisual Requirements
LCD Projector and Screen
Comments
If possible we would be very appreciative if this meeting could occur next to the "Fictional Saints" roundtable for the Hagiology Seminar. The last few years we have met back to back with a business meeting in between on Sunday afternoon, and this has been amazingly helpful to our unit. Since this is our last year, I think a business meeting for all to think about how to proceed is extremely timely for us. Thanks so much for your consideration, Todd French