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    A case of putative Stigmata and Hemography or Psychogenic Purpura and Autoerythrocyte Sensitization?

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    A case of putative Stigmata and Hemography or Psychogenic Purpura and Autoerythrocyte Sensitization?

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    4K views16 pages

    Natuzza Evolo: Psychogenic Phenomena? by Michael Nanko

    Uploaded by

    Michael Nanko
    A case of putative Stigmata and Hemography or Psychogenic Purpura and Autoerythrocyte Sensitization?

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    A Report On The Case Investigation of Natuzza Evolo By Michael J. Nanko 1. INTRODUCTION ‘The numerous anomalies and claims of the paranormal sur- rounding Natuzza Evolo, the reknowned Italian medium, bealer, bilocator and stigmatic, have long warranted an English-language investigation, Associated with Natuzza’s stigmata, is also the phenomenon of hacmography. In light of the fact that claims regarding her phenomena span nearly five decades, attested to by many reputable professionals; that Natuzza accepts no remanera~ tion for her consulting; and that she has never been observed in any fraudulent behaviors, the Board of Directors of the SCSPR determined that this case deserved inquiry. The purpose of this paper, as well as that in this journal by Raymond Bayless, is to present the preliminary findings of a case investigation of Natuz~ za Bvolo conducted ‘by the Southern California Society for Psychical Research during September of 1984. ‘The Southern California Society for Psychical Research was first introduced to Natuzza Evolo (hereafter referred to oaly as ““Natuzza”) via an unpublished Italian manuscript by Valerio ‘Marinelli. Marinelli, a professor of engincering at the University of Calabria, in Southern Ttaly, had conducted interviews with Natuzza and obtained testimony from scores of individuals pur- ported to have had:paranormel experiences with Natuzza. Pro- fessor Marinelli is one of only three persons provided the eppor- tunity to interview Natuzza in some depth. We were advised early in our investigation that SCSPR researchers would not be afforded the opportunity of condacting a thorough parapsychological case investigation: virtually all ‘correspondence with parties in Italy (Marinelli, Satriani, religious leaders, witnesses, physicians, etc.) reminded the SCSPR that people would not cooperate with Americans conducting any type of inquiry into Natuzza. Consequently, the SCSPR deciced to modify its objectives of achieving a thorough scientific investiga- tion work with Natuzza, and focus instead on attainment of basic information and data which might corroborate or discount previous documentation of Natuzza’s alleged paranormal “powers”. (See Marinelti, 1983 and Satriani, 1982). Tt was toward this end that Michael Nanko and Elizabeth McAdams went to the south of Italy, accompanied by an Italian interpreter, to achieve the following objectives: 1. To interview Professor Marinelli regarding his research on Natuzza;, 2. To obtain independent interviews of experients named in Marinelli’s work; 3. To secure original testimony from individuals not previously surveyed; . To interview Natuzza regarding her ostensible psi abilities; . To observe her procedures for consulting with people who come to her home; 6. To document that Natuzza exhibits stigmata; and 7. To document the haemography phenomena said to occur ‘when her stigmatic wounds are wrapped with hankerchiefs or other cloth coverings. Il, BRIEF BACKGROUND ON CULTURE AND AREA Natuzza was born and has lived her entire life in the village of Paavati, in the Province of Calabria, the southernmost region of Italy. It is a mountainous region lying between the Adriatic ard TTerrynian Seas with flatland comprising less than 10% of the 800km of mountainous coastline. The region is predominantly devoted to agriculture, and the villagers subsist on a frugal, bat dignified family income. To the visitor from an industrial society, entering Paravati feels like a step backward in time, the culture and ideologies of the people strikingly distinct from the more cosmopolitan North. Oxen-carts and corner shrines are cont mon sights here, where men and women socialize in sezregated groupings outside their stone-facade homes (Custom dictates that ‘widowed women sit facing inside their homes and away from the sect) Professor Piero Cassoli, President of the Center for Para- psychology Studies in Bologna, describes the region in which Natuzza lives as the “profound south”, “ta magical milieu...” (Note 1). Itis an area spattered with beliefs in sorcery, witchcraft, charms and spells |. BRIEF BACKGROUND ON NATUZZA EVOLO “Natuzza Dei Morti”* (Natuzza of the Dead) Natuza is a 60-year-old woman,' born at Paravati, where she has lived her life in poverty. She is short-statured, with the " According to Mariel. in his Natuzea of Paravat!: Servant of Man, Natuzza ‘was born in approximately 1922. characteristic appearance of a Calabrian country woman. It is reported that Natuzza received early religious instruction commen- surate with her contemporaries, but she never attended primary school. She is completely illiterate. Friends and relatives must help her to answer the hundreds of leters she receives from many parts of the world. At the age of 14, Natuzza was taken into domestic service in the home of the attorney Silvio Colloca and his wife, ‘where she came to live. On leaving the Colloca home years later, she married Pasquale Nicolace, a fellow countryman and carpenter, with whom she had five children, : ‘Although there are several sketchy accounts of earlier paranor- mal phenomena, it was here at the Colloca house where Natuzza’s asserted paranormal abilities first manifested and drew attention. The first such event occurred while Mrs. Colloca was walking in the country with Natuzza, when Mrs. Colloca noticed the appearance of foamy blood on Natuzza’s foot, with no evidence ‘of any wound present. At the request of the Collocas, Drs. Domenico and Giuseppe Naccari examined Natuzza and reported that it was a “perspiration of blood”” and that Natuzza appeared to be perfectly healthy. This incident proved to be the precursor of what would be scores of other perspirations of blood which sur- faced over the years from her feet, hands, face, breast, shoulders, and back. Mrs. Colloca relates having overheard and observed Natuz~ za 0n many occasions purportedly in conversation with the Saints, with Jesus, Mary, and other “defunct” souls. Frequently during her adolescence, Natuzza would enter a trance or epileptic-like state while “communicating” with the dead or with the angels Itis from these discarnate entities that Natuzza claims to receive psychic information. By the age of 15, Natuzza was considered a medium within the local communities Related to this phenomenon of blood perspiration, and even more remarkable, is the production of haemography. This con- sists of the spontaneous, independent rearrangement of particles of blood to form designs, inscriptions and symbols (always of religious character) upon hankerchiefs or cloths which come in contzet with wounds or profusions on Natuzza's body. The first rmanilestations of this phenomenon occurred when Natuzza was 16 years old, in the Cathedral of Mileto, upon receiving the Sacra- ment of Confirmation. After receiving the Sacrament, Natuzza discovered, after feeling her shoulder to be wet, the image of a cross (of about Sem) formed in blood on her undershirt. ‘ment was sent by the monsignor to the bishop of the Diocese of Mileto and forwarded to officals atthe Catholic University of the Secred Heart in Milan; however, no conclusions were drawn. In the following years, the haemographies increased in number, becoming more elaborate. Claims were also being made by townsfolk of Natuzza visiting them in bilocation, as well as beliefs in her ability to diagnose medical conditions even unknown to the individual. People have reported healings after invoking ‘Natuzza’s assistance. She also provides “‘psychic”” help in other matters (e.g., locating lost objects, missing persons, etc.). Tt was around the age of 30 that Natuzza first encountered the stigmata, developing wounds corresponding to those tradition- ally depicted as those which were suffered by Christ. Natuzza herself insists that these phenomena occur completely independent of her will, completely uninfluenced by her own voli- tion, She ascribes her remarkable abilities to the angels, Jesus, the Madonna, and the Saints. Although Natuzza is commonly regarded as something of a living saint, it would appear that her ardent Catholicism embodies interpretations peculiar to herselt. Father Salvatore Sangeniti, (past pastor of the Paravati Catholic Church, and now head of the seminary in Mileto), described Natuzza’s belief system to me as being often naive, and may con tradict or confuse interpretations and teachings of the Catholic Faith, ‘*Natuzza often mixes up the stories that are in the Bible ‘and will advise differently than the Church would." He is, however, quite supportive of Natuzza. “'She does not want fenaticism or to be a substitute for the Church. She is not hurting anyone because she is not a fraud or taking money. There is nothing for the Church to worry aboat. In fact, she has stimulated interest inthe Church . .. Natuzza believes in Christ to the fallest."" (Nowe 2 IV. VISITS WITH NATUZZA For nearly 40 years, four days a week, Natuzza has received the hundreds of people who seek her counsel. Most are there :0 ask for news of their deceased loved ones, others with questions concerning their own health or that of their relatives. The SCSPR research team met with Natuzza on two occasions. This necessitated arriving at her home before 7:00 A.M. to gain admittance when her door opened at 8:00 A.M. The crowd enters into an anteroors, beyond which is a small chapel and past that, a garden. To the immediate right is a small room in which Natuzza receives visitors, in which after waiting for hours, most will spend only up to ten 9. minutes with Natuzza. Once inside the house, some of the pilgrims will pray before the altar, some find seating; others wait adjacent to the receiving door awaiting their turn for an audience. Group songs or prayers may break out spontaneously in the crowd. Even so, an implicit waiting system appears in operation. A few patrons with more pressing needs will plead their way closer to the front, but for the most part, visitors are received in the order in which they arrived. Present at our first visit with Natuzza were myscli(MN), Elizabeth McAdams, our interpreter, Anna Leva (AL), ard MIS. Leticia Rotella, a life-long resident of Mileto, who with her hus- band, Mr. Fortunato owned the pension in which we stayed in Mileto. On this morning, after waiting at Natuzza’s home for several hours, we were befriended by 2 women there who offered to arrange an appointment for us with Natuzza later that alernoon so that we might have a longer audience with her. Upon ous return there were still over one hundred people waiting to see her. Natuzza informed us that she would not grant an interview “because there are too many who need my help.’? She told us that she could only talk with us for a short time. We were able to present a few ques tions; however, for probing questions she referred us to Professor Marinelli On a more personal level, MN presented Natuzza with a photograph of a male relative. He stated that this individual had ‘been missing for “some time” and could she comment on his situa- nn. Natuzza replied, “He is dead and in Paradise.”” This target person had in fact died in 1973. Next, each individual in the room questioned Natuzza about his/her own health. However, she responded only in general terms. The second meeting with Natuzza occurred 8 days later. For this meeting MN was accompanied by AL, Vernon Miller, GM, and LRS (Note 3). Aside from some general (nonveridical)infor- ‘mation Natuzza also offered some ostensible psi information. As planned, AL asked Natuzza to provide information about two of her relatives. Natuzza correctly informed AL that the younger of the two was dead and the older one was alive. More interesting- ly, Natuzza elaborated on the unique and troublesome nature of the relationship between the two relatives. MN followed by ask- ing Natuzza to tell him the whereabouts of his father whom he stated he had not seen in years. Natuzza said, “He is dead and in Purgatory - pray for him.”* The fact is that he died almost 11 years ago. ‘Vernon Miller, who served as photographer for part of the ~10- Natuzza investigation and who was the official photographer for the international team that studied the Shroud of Turin (1977) asked Natuzza a line of questions related to the Shroud. She responded with, “It is the burial cloth of Jesus, it is genuine, but science can never prove it.”” Natuzza next provided some provocative responses to ques- tions of health. MN first asked Natuzza to provide a prognosis on his mother whom he presented as critically ill. Natuzza insisted that MIN's mother was ‘‘in good health and does not suffer.” This ‘was a deceptive question and MN’s mother was in good health. Natuzza went on next to tell AL that LRS has a “serious bone sickness and that she needs to trust doctors.”” AL was instructed by Natuzza to wait until a more opportune time to discuss this comment with LRS. When confronted with this comment, LRS reluctantly disclosed that she does suffer from a rare bone disease, ‘osteo myelitis, but with iatragenic etiology. Furthermore, Natu zatold AL “you have a bleeding and you're thinking thatthe cause fit is a cyst - that is not true. You have a ‘fibroma’ in the uterus. ‘You need an operation, so don’t waste time.””Not sure what she tol AL, Natuzza asked **What isa fibroma?” Natuzza’s “psychic diagnosis of AL's condition was disturbingly accurate. Just two days previous AL had not been feeling well and just one day earlier she began to have abnormal bleeding. ‘AS soon as she was able, AL returned to Florence (Italy) to undergo a thorough medical examination. Two weeks later we heard from AL. In her own words: “T have been to the doctor and he told me there is something strange in my uterus - it seems tad a lot of fibromata, but now I only have the wounds of it. He also said itis a miracle, So my situation is fair and I have to visit the doctor every few months because it was a cancer. Anyway, Thave a lot of pain and will have to take medication for 2 or 3 years - but this is OK because I thought I had to have an opera- tion.”” (Note 4) Natuzza would not submit to any systematic questioning or toany obvious testing of her abilities. She asserted that the illnesses and injuries she “perceives” in others only happen when the angels are present. Natuzza disclaimed that she is responsible for any “healings” that occur in her presence or subsequent to an audience with her. It may be of interest to note that faith healers or the like are outlawed in Italy and some “‘healers”” have been prosecuted, Y. BILOCATION AND HAEMOGRAPHY As previously mentioned, the SCSPR team met with several witnesses to Natuzza’s purported bilocations and haemographies. Some historical accounts of bilocation appear to be well-researched in the canonization proceedings of the Catholic Saints by Prospero Lambertini, including the more contemporary investigation done on Padre Pio. Bilocative phenomena are equally known in the Hin- du, Buddhist, and Tantric literature of the great swamis and yogis. In parapsychology proper, Osis and Heraldsson (1976) have pro- vided some documentation of ostensible bilocation. Psi researchers of the OOBE also project that their work may eventually shed some light on the understanding of this phenomenon. ‘Marinelli (1978-83) has been able to document some fifty - five cases of Natuzza's bilocation, which he believes represent only a fraction of the actual incidence. In over twenty cases he reports Natuzza’s appartion is seen by witnesses. In several cases apparitions of the dead are seen with Natuzza. In others, Natuz- 2a's voice is heard but no apparition is seen. In thirteen incidents, Natuzza's bilocating self was reported to perform physical behaviors such as opening and closing doors, knocking over ob- jects, flicking lights, pulling hair, etc. In ten cases the apparition left behind bloodstains or hacmographies at the reported site of the bilocation. Haemography, the paranormal patterning of bloodstains on cloth, is ditectly related to the stigmata in Natuzza’s situation. The bblood which flows from Natuzza’s wounds and sweating pores during Holy Week (the week preceding Easter) has been reported to spontaneously rearrange to form sacred symbols which are always associated with the Christian Faith, Emblems or figures such as crosses, hosts, monstrances, chalices, rosaries, bleeding hearts, crowns of thorns, praying figures, angels, the face of Jesus and the Madonna, have all been documented to appear in hhemography. In fewer cases the blood composes phrases of religious content, and in a variety of languages (e.g. Italian, French, Latin, Greek, Aramic, and English) Martinelli claims to have reviewed over one hundred of these haemographies. MN had the opportunity to examine moze than twenty-five individual articles of haemography purportedly pro- duced by Natuzza. Various combinations of Natuzza’s bilocations and haemographies have been reported by individuals interviewed by Martinelli and MN. Other testimonies have reported bilecation +12 cr haemography occurring alone. These testimonies are numerous and detailed. Accounts of some of the interviewees are presented hore in summarized form. Experients report having witnessed a combination of Natuzza'a phenomena on several occasiors: 1. Professor Maria Mantelli lives in Catanzaro, 100km from Paravati. She has known Natuzza for about fifteen years and has had numerous paranormal experiences with her. Her daughter, Ida Mantelii, is a physician who attends to Natuzza during Hely Week. Ida first encountered Natuzza during a hospitalization for complications from the stigmata. Dr. Mantelli reports finding hhacmographies on the pillows and sheets of Natuzza's hospital bed. Dr. Mantelli herself applied a handkerchief for 20 minutes to Natuzza’s wrist on one occasion. She claims that the blood form- ed into a French-language statement which translated ““T am the Immaculate Conception."* ‘Another event transpired while Dr. Mantelli was talking with Natuzza by telephone from Professor Mantelli's home. Dr. Mantelli wanted to meet with Natuzza, but it was not possibse ‘When Ida hung up the telephone, she and her mother noticed the ‘word ‘Nana’ which was fingered in what appeared to be a breath mark on the window. ''Nana’” was the pet name which Natuzza used for Dr, Mantelli. The moisture from the apparent breath was on the outside of a fourth-story window. Neither of the Mantellis could explain the event as being anything other than an “‘endear- ing” visit from Natuzza, who wanted to be with them. Both Dr. Maniclli and her motier stood together throughout the entire phone conversation with Natuzza. Professor Mantelli found bloodstains on her drapes and tablecloth on two other occasions after conver- sing with Natuzza Professor Manteli relates an occasion on which she asked her husband, Samuele, to pick up Natuzza and take her to the hospital, where she was to be admitted for her heart condition. Samuele, boing basically afraid of Natuzza, wanted to decline, but then con- ceded that he would wait until the following morning before do- ing so. Upon awakening, he found on his pillow a fresh haemography in the form of a cross about two to three centimeters 1 size. At this startling find, Samuele left immediately to pick up Netuzza. Upon arrival, and before he could speak, Natuzza ‘old him that the haemography was a gift to him for coming to ick her up. Professor Mantelli claims to have had many other experiences with Natuzza bordering on the paranormal, one of which concerns the death of the professor's father. During the three days preced.ng 13 or haemography occurring alone, These testimonies are numerous and detailed, Accounts of some of the interviewees are presented here in summarized form, Experients report having witnessed a combination of Natuzza’a phenomena on several occasions: 1. Professor Maria Mantelli lives in Catanzaro, 100km from Paravati. She has known Natuzza for about fifteen years and has had numerous paranormal experiences with her. Her daughter, ‘da Mantelli, is a physician who attends to Natuzza during Holy Week. Ida first encountered Natuzza during a hospitalization Zor complications from the stigmata. Dr. Mantelli reports finding saemographies on the pillows and sheets of Natuzza's hospital bed. Dr. Mantelli herself applied a handkerchief for 20 minutes to Natuzza’s wrist on one occasion. She claims that the blood form- ed into a French-language statement which translated ““T am the Immaculate Conception.” ‘Another event transpired while Dr. Mantelli was talking with Natuzza by telephone from Professor Mantelli’s home. Dr. Mantelli wanted to meet with Natuzza, but it was not possible. When Ida hung up the telephone, she and her mother noticed -he word “*Nana’” which was fingered in what appeared to be a breath mark on the window. *“Nana"” was the pet name which Natuzza used for Dr. Mantelli. The moisture from the apparent breath was on the outside of a fourth-story window. Neither of the Mantellis could explain the event as being anything other than an “‘endcar- ing” visit from Natuzza, who wanted to be with them, Both Dr. Mantelli and her mother stood together throughout the entire phone conversation with Natuzza, Professor Mantelli found bloodstains on her drapes and tablecloth on two other occasions after conver- sing with Natuzza. Professor Mantelli relates an occasion on which she asked her husband, Samuele, to pick up Natuza and take her to the hospial, where she was to be admitted for her heart condition, Samuele being basically afraid of Natuzza, wanted to decline, but then con- ceded that he would wait until the following morning before do- ing so, Upon awakening, he found on his pillow a fresh haemography in the form of a cross about two to three centimeters in size. At this startling find, Samuele left immediately 10 pick up Natuzza. Upon arrival, and before he could speak, Natuzza told him that the haemography was a gift to him for coming to pick her up. Professor Mantel claims to have had many other experiences with Natuzza bordering on the paranormal, one of which concerns the death ofthe professor's father. During the three days preceding Be her father’s death, Professor Mantelli tried unsuccessfully to reach Natuzza by telephone to discuss her father’s worsening condition However, within ten minutes of his death, Natuzza phoned Pro- fessor Mantelli and said, “He died, but he will go on to Paradise.”” Professor Mantelli insists that there was no way that Natuzza could have known of her father's aggravated condition or deat. 2. Mrs. Carmelina Fratini, of Gizo Taura (25 km from Paravati), relates the following two accounts of bilocative visits made to her by Natuzza. The first visitation occurred late at night in March 1971: “I was breastfeeding my newborn baby when I heard the door open and felt a sensation of cold. Initially I was stunned, but then a comforting, peaceful feeling came over me, remember turning to see a woman entering the room. She came toward me, paused for a moment, and while I tried to recognize her, she went toward the door and shut it behind her, as if she did not want to be recognized...I thought it must be my aunt or Natuzza. The next day I went to Natuzza to ask her what she thought ofthis experience. Before I could say anything, however, Natuzza told me to cover up my daughter better at night so as she ‘would not fall ill. In fact, T had been breastfeeding my baby that night without covering her properly. I was convinced that it was Natuzza who came to me.”” ‘The second event occurred several years later: “It wasabout 10:00 P.M. on a winter night. T had just gone to bed, but was still completely awake. Suddenly, I saw my deceased father, Natuz- zz, and a luminous figure which I did not recognize. I was afraid at frst, but soon I decided to speak, asking, ‘Natuzza, if it isreally ‘you, please let me know - please give me a sign!” A moment later Theard the curtain rod strike the wall three distinct times. . My father had a serene face and smiled at me for several seconds. His aspect was completely real, and he was wearing clothes he wore around the house. Natuzza was also clearly distinguishable. When I discussed this event with Natuzza, she told me she was at my house with my father and an angel.”* Mrs. Fratini displayed to me numerous cloths and garments containing haemporaphies, recounting in detail the history ofeach. They include personal hankerchiefs brought new and placed over Natuzza’s wounds, as well as gifts from Natwzza of her garments stained with haemographies over the shoulder area and rib area, corresponding to where Christ was said to have been pierced with a lance. Signora Fratini related a subsequent bilocative experience in ‘which Natuzza left physical evidence of her presence in the form ae of haemography. While preparing the afternoon meal one day, she felt a presence in the kitchen, yet she observed that te deors and windows to the kitchen were closed. She then felt a slight breeze which directed her attention to the table. She noticed that the napkins she had placed on the table had fallen to the flcor, and on retrieving them noticed one to be covered with fresh splot- ches of blood which had formed into haemographies. She is con- vineed that no one could have entered the kitchen through the closed doors without being noticed. 3. Professor Giuseppe Lacquaniti (Rosamo) told of Namwz- za’s bilocation and appartitional events that he experienced, However, a more dramatic apparitional visit was had by his mother (Carmela) and father (Vincenzo). Together, this couple saw Carmela's deceased father, her deceased uncle, and Natuzza as an apparition. The three figures appeared as a ‘combined eati- ty” with their body aspects merged together and with a lighted thumb (like a candle flame) infront of them, Vincenzo and Carmela spoke nothing of this experience. However, when they went to see Natuzza, she verified for them in specific ways that she had been there that evening. 4, Mr. Fortunato, owner and operator of a small pension and trattoria in Mileto rather reluctantly related to us a provocative interaction he had with Natuzza. Several years ago, Fortunato went to see Natuzza with two fellow truckers to “kind of give Natuzza a hard time, to badger her.”* Essentially, they thought she had no special abilities and were quite skeptical. When they arrived, Natuzza came out of her receiving room, picked them out of a crowd to admonish them and order them fo leave. This respoase thoroughly surprised Fortunato for how could she have knows. of their intentions? After giving the matter some thought, Fortunato

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