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. 2021 Sep:18:100674.
doi: 10.1016/j.jemep.2021.100674. Epub 2021 May 1.

Which Saint to pray for fighting against a Covid infection? A short survey

A Perciaccante  1   2 , A Coralli  3 , P Charlier  1
Affiliations

Which Saint to pray for fighting against a Covid infection? A short survey

A Perciaccante et al. Ethics Med Public Health. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Background: In the absence of a treatment still considered universally effective, and of a vaccine validated by the health authorities, we wanted to know which Catholic saint the European Christian community turned to in the event of infection with Covid-19 to request a miraculous healing.

Methodology: An online survey was carried out on a sample of 1158 adults using social media tools.

Results: All results are presented in this research, with a few saints in the majority, and some dictated by the symptomatology of the Covid-19 infection or the personalities of certain « doctor guru ».

Conclusion: This medico-anthropological study is revealing the psychology of Western patients vis-à-vis the magic-religious means used in the fight against diseases, particularly in the epidemic/pandemic context.

Keywords: Health; Medical anthropology; Parallel medicine; Religion; Survey.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Image of Saint Rita depicted on her solemn coffin (1457). Monastery of Saint Rita, Cascia, Italy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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