St. Laurence and the Holy Grail: The Story of the Holy Chalice of Valencia [Hardcover]

Janice Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

Many scholars are convinced that The Holy Chalice of Valencia is the Holy Grail, celebrated in medieval legneds as it was venerated by monks in the secluded Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, built into a rocky outcropping of the Spanish Pyrenees. The tradition of Aragón has always insisted that the flaming agate cup of the Holy Chalice was sent to Spain by St. Laurence, the glorious Spaniard martyred on a gridiron during the Valerian persecution in Rome in 258 AD. Now there is new evidence: A sixth-century manuscript written in Latin by St. Donato, an Augustinian monk who founded a monastery in the area of Valencia, provides never-before-published details about Laurence, born in Valencia but destined for Italy, where he became treasurer and deacon of the Catholic Church under Pope Sixtus II. It explicitly mentions the details surrounding the transfer of the Holy Cup of the Last Supper to Spain. Janice Bennett acquaints the reader with the enthralling story of the Holy Chalice, the renowned relic that embarked from the Last Supper on an amazing pilgrimage that providentially ended in the Cathedral of Valencia, a miraculous odyssey that has been characterized by dnager, greed, martyrdom and fire from the very beginning. The author presents abundant evidence for authenticy, delving into many provocative topics, such as the importance of relics for early Christians, the difference between legend, tradition and history, and the veracity of St. Laurence's death on the gridiron. It is a fascinating account that will dispel forever the notion that the famous relic was ever lost. The mythical Quest for the Holy Grail is now over.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Inspired by her profound interest in Spanish literature, culture and relics, Janice Bennett has written and photographed her second book, St. Laurence and the Holy Grail. It is based on the history of St. Laurence and the Holy Chalice of Valencia as described in the writings of ancient and modern Spanish authors. Her first book, Sacred Blood, Sacred Image: The Sudarium of Oviedo, unfolds the historical, scientific, cultural, and Biblical investigations surrounding the Sudarium of Oviedo, the ancient, bloodstained cloth believed to have covered the head of Christ after the crucifixion. The author was awarded an M.A. in Spanish Literature from CU-Boulder in 1997, and was selected for Who's Who in America 2002. She is a member of the Spanish Center for Sindonology, based in Valencia, Spain. She taught Spanish literature for six years, and has written a guide to literary analysis. She received many awards during her scholastic career, and is a member of the national Hispanic society Sigma Delta Pi, the Modern Language Assn., American Assn. of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, and Catholic Book Publishers Assn. Ms. Bennett also holds a B.A. degree in Graphic Design and Journalism from Northern Ill. Univ., and a certificate in advanced Biblical studies from the Catholic Biblical School of Denver. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in theology and is researching the many legends on the Road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Pr (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970568215
• ISBN-13: 978-0970568212
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #920,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will the real Grail please stand up!, August 12, 2005

By 

David V. (Capitol District area, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: St. Laurence and the Holy Grail: The Story of the Holy Chalice of Valencia (Hardcover)

Perhaps in response to the DaVinci Code's historically spurious claim that the "real Grail" was Mary Magdalene, to whom Jesus of Nazareth was married and by whom he sired progeny which endure to the present day, Bennett clarifies that the "Grail" of myth, legend and history was always identified with the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper. She then proceeds to trace the history of the search for this relic, and of its survival and veneration, seeking to separate historically defensible evidence from pious legend and tradition. One chapter provides the complete first translation into English of an early document which she insists provides key evidence that substantiates the claim that the originally stemless agate cup of the Last Supper has indeed made its circuitous way (though with later mountings and embellishments)from 1st century Palestine to the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain. Replete with drawings and photographs, the work reads at time like a mystery story (particularly the details of how the Grail was spirited out of the Valencian cathedral during the Spanish Civil War, and hidden in all kinds of unlikely places). The treatment is reverential, and Bennett tends to credit unbroken traditions in the Western Church with historical reliability whenever there is no clear evidence to the contrary.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating odyssey: This IS the Holy Grail..., November 25, 2006

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Arthur F. McVarish (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: St. Laurence and the Holy Grail: The Story of the Holy Chalice of Valencia (Hardcover)

Janice Bennett has researched and authored this marvelous study providing virtually indisputable evidence~The Holy Chalice of Valencia (Spain)IS the Holy Grail. A legendary cup that served as vessel of Consecration[of Seder supper wine used in Jewish Passover Commemoration of Exodus]into His sacred blood by Jesus Christ at First Mass/Holy Thursday anamnesis of Last Supper with His Apostles...preceeding trial and crucifixion the next(Good Friday)morning...is subject of this fascinating odyssey...

The Grail is described as luminous cup of flawless,translucent agate stone rippled with fire-like spires. An ornate gold monstrance-mounting,adorned of 28 pearls,2 rubies and 2 emeralds comprises the chalice base. The story of the treasured relic's entrustment to St.Laurence by PopeSixtusII(before his execution by Roman Emperor Valerian in AD 258);Laurence's spiriting of The Grail to his homeland in Spain and subsequent martyrdom in the same persecution)relates legendary adventures and mystery unresolved until this century's Spanish Civil War;and ending in Sacred Reliquary Tabernacle of The Cathedral of Valencia...

Bennett's book is beautifully appointed,throroughly documented work of

accessible scholarship. There are photographs of drawings,engravings and primary source materials. There are technical diagrams(describing Cup structure;elaborating mystical entendres implied in gem configurations).

There are maps and detailed chronology of "Grail's trail". Most interesting (part III:chapter6~bks 1-14,pp64-163)is translation of "The Life & Martyrdom of St.Laurence" written in sixth century by Augustinian Abbot named Donato and recovered in 1636 by Doctor of Theology Father Ausina;NOW residing in the National Library in Madrid.The tract provides powerful proof that The Holy Chalice of Valencia IS the Holy Grail.

For students of theology,history,mythology, ST.LAURENCE&THE HOLY GRAIL~The Story of the Holy Chalice of Valencia is book sine qua non.His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI(July 6,AD 2006)has so affirmed authenticity of the AGATE CUP reposing therein as(hoi poterion;sacer calix):El Santo Caliz.The greatest Quest Mystery is answered~Take & Read.(10 stars)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars St. Laurence and the Chalice of Valencia, June 2, 2008

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Christine Pacheco (Metairie, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: St. Laurence And The Holy Grail: The Holy Chalice Of Valencia (Hardcover)

I went to Valencia after reading this book and it has amazing details. Janice Bennett did monumental research to give us this history. Anyone interested in Medieval history/Grail lore should take time to read.