Miracles of Mary Stories with Horror and/or Humor

Horror comes in different types. Body horror focuses on the unnatural and, graphic transformation of the human body. One example from the PEMM's stories is a woman who gives birth to dogs.  In others, individuals lose their independence and become enslaved subjects.

It is not easy to determine which any of these stories were intended to be funny. But it does seems possible that some of the stories were written to terrify children and simultaneously amuse adults.

For class, read the stories below with the word "required."

Body Horror

Satan came to some monks and entrusted a child to them; the monks ate the child (required)

Satan destroyed the oven of a monastery and was compelled to serve the monks for twelve years in punishment. (required)

A man who out of jealousy burned down the house of a former wife who had abandoned him. (required)

Dabra Zamaddo's righteous monk who was afflicted by bugs (required)

A husband broke his vow to live celibately with his wife and the wife cursed him by saying any resulting child would belong to Satan

Humor

Although Satan is depicted as powerful, he also is mocked and brought low. The first one below is about an innocent man who unwittingly keeps thwarting a cunning Satan. 

The pious rich man whom Satan served in hopes of destroying him and who tried to trick him through fishing, hunting, and fasting (required)

Some stories might have been considered funny because they depict a common human mistake, such as a deacon accidentally catching the church curtains on fire with his candle.

An incense box doesn't burn and a church fire goes out (required)

In two other stories, powerful men laugh because someone has told them something impossible will happen. But, God has the last laugh, because the impossible thing comes true.

Atrib's Virgin Mary Church and the monk who saved it with his prayers when its destruction had been ordered by the Caliph

Homily on the Virgin Mary and the Biblical Patriarchs: Part 3: The Virgin Mary and the biblical patriarch Abraham (print only)

Some stories address embarrassing situations (diegetic humor).

A man who suspected a former wife of having burned down his house.