Gidle's “Bath” in the Light of the Chronicle Notes De Miraculis

Abstract

Washing the figure of the Mother of God in Gidle, popular in the 20^th century as “the bath”, dates back to the 17^th century. The oldest printed mention concerning the practice comes from 1636, and is dated 19 June 1618. Since that moment 16 different notes de miraculis informing about the performance of the washing have been included in the edited collections of miracula.

The descriptions often show everyday life of people who needed help at that moment. They also present the categories of human needs determining the use of the Gidle wine. They were most often diseases or ill-fated events.

According to a description from 1948, the celebration of “the bath” was held during the Holy Mass. Having read the fragment of the Gospel that describes the miracle during the marriage at Cana of Galilee, the priest delivered a homily, in which he explained the meaning of the practice of washing to the congregation. Next he said the formula of blessing the wine and he intoned the litany to the Mother of God. After he repeated the words Health of the Sick three times, he submerged the figure in a bowl filled with wine.

On the basis of the analyzed source material, the washing of the figure immediately after it had been found, or before putting it in the parish church, cannot be connected with the custom that is discussed here. This confirms the view that blessing wine, despite the earlier mentions, is a custom made popular only in the 20^th century.