So now the big question – do the miracles really happen? If so, how? And if not, why were people convinced? What was going on? We need to bear in mind that, like saintly relics, some people are still certain that they do work. The Dorset church of Whitchurch Canonicorum has the shrine of St Wite that somehow survived the reformation. On our visit the shrine was full of notes pleading for intercession by the saint. There were also notes thanking her for what she had done.
 
  The suggestion that paintings were produced by saints such as Luke, is impossible to prove, and dating evidence does not support it. Images said to speak, or move, are very much in the category of ‘according to legend’. But what of images said to provide cures?
  The cynical view is that spreading tales of such miracles is entirely fraudulent, perpetrated by institutions with an eye to money-making opportunities. There is no doubt that the possession of miracle-working relics and images did bring in money, and there are a number of historical instances where fraud has been proved. But the question arises – if no miraculous cures ever happened, wouldn’t pilgrims become aware of this as time went by? Well, possibly not – social media did not exist then to deny fake news. Nevertheless, the record of cures is overwhelming. So, if miraculous images did work, how did they?

  One option is: it’s all true. The sacred images provide links to the person portrayed – in most cases, Jesus and the Virgin Mary – and intercession may be provided. If this goes too far for most people these days, the church speaks of faith – and what it can do for believers. This leads on to something much debated these days - the placebo effect. Can a powerful belief in the efficacy of a cure – be it a sacred relic, or image, or placebo tablet – actually make it work? Evidence suggests that it can: in which case, then genuineness of the treasured item wouldn’t matter. Research continues.

  One thing is for sure: many of the locations of sacred images and relics have a powerful atmosphere, sensed by many as they enter the building. What can this be?

  A much debated theory on this is known as Morphic Resonance, an idea written about at length by the scientist Rupert Sheldrake. He suggests that the consciousness of visitors, especially at special, sacred places, accumulates over the centuries, and can be sensed and reacted too. Maybe this collective consciousness could create the placebo effect in those whose faith was strong enough. Going beyond this, it has been suggested by some that objects – sacred relics, sacred images – can absorb that consciousness, which gives them their special power.

  In a brief email conversation with Rupert Sheldrake, I posed the question: can sacred images and relics cure people who believe they can? His reply: I do not know the answer.