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

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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.

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)

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.

A wonderfully rich telling! Bennett argues that the Holy Grail does exist and that it currently resides in Valencia, Spain. Legend and history combine in this compelling, readable book.

Hardcover: cloth over hardback boards with dustjacket, 303 pp, with 32 pp of color plates and numerous b&w illustrations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
In Search of the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail in Valencia

The Last Supper
Evidence of the Holy Grail in Rome
The Valerian Persecution

St. Laurence's Life
St. Laurence from Prudentius to Gonzalo de Berceo
An Examination

From Huesca to San Juan de Pena
San Juan de la Pena: Wolfram's Munasalvaesche
The Miracle of Daroca
The Legendary Grail Quest

Valencia
The Spanish Civil War
The Larentine Centennial and Pope John Paul II

Description of the Holy Grail
Archeology of the Holy Grail

Devotion to the Holy Chalice
The Holy Chalice as Represented in Art
Veneration of St. Laurence

Epilogue
Chronology
Bibliography

I read the book several years ago--and as someone with a Christian background, I found that it was a story that seemed beyond the ordinary. As a "trained chemist" I wanted to examine the "Grail" and hoped for some kind of independent scientific confirmation---but as any Catholic would tell you, that may not happen for a very, very, very long time.

I subsequently passed the book to a good friend ---who during her RCIA initiation was influenced by it--in short--she became a Catholic.

Whether or not the purported "Grail" is real--I cannot say for sure--but I recommend the book for anyone who would rather read a "non-fiction" account of the purported-Grail's whereabouts!

A wonderfully rich telling! Bennett argues that the Holy Grail does exist and that it currently resides in Valencia, Spain. Legend and history combine in this compelling, readable book.

Hardcover: cloth over hardback boards with dustjacket, 303 pp, with 32 pp of color plates and numerous b&w illustrations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
In Search of the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail in Valencia

The Last Supper
Evidence of the Holy Grail in Rome
The Valerian Persecution

St. Laurence's Life
St. Laurence from Prudentius to Gonzalo de Berceo
An Examination

From Huesca to San Juan de Pena
San Juan de la Pena: Wolfram's Munasalvaesche
The Miracle of Daroca
The Legendary Grail Quest

Valencia
The Spanish Civil War
The Larentine Centennial and Pope John Paul II

Description of the Holy Grail
Archeology of the Holy Grail

Devotion to the Holy Chalice
The Holy Chalice as Represented in Art
Veneration of St. Laurence

Epilogue
Chronology
Bibliography

A wonderfully rich telling! Bennett argues that the Holy Grail does exist and that it currently resides in Valencia, Spain. Legend and history combine in this compelling, readable book.

Hardcover: cloth over hardback boards with dustjacket, 303 pp, with 32 pp of color plates and numerous b&w illustrations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
In Search of the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail in Valencia

The Last Supper
Evidence of the Holy Grail in Rome
The Valerian Persecution

St. Laurence's Life
St. Laurence from Prudentius to Gonzalo de Berceo
An Examination

From Huesca to San Juan de Pena
San Juan de la Pena: Wolfram's Munasalvaesche
The Miracle of Daroca
The Legendary Grail Quest

Valencia
The Spanish Civil War
The Larentine Centennial and Pope John Paul II

Description of the Holy Grail
Archeology of the Holy Grail

Devotion to the Holy Chalice
The Holy Chalice as Represented in Art
Veneration of St. Laurence

Epilogue
Chronology
Bibliography