The 900-Year-Old Heart Of Saint Laurence O’Toole Stolen From Irish Church

The 900-year-old heart of Saint Laurence O’Toole has been stolen from the Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland.

The heart of St. Laurence O’Toole was kept inside of a wooden heart-shaped box inside of a large iron cage that was bolted to the wall inside Saint Lauds Chapel. Police say that the 900-year-old heart was taken between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Police said that there was no sign of a break-in but there was evidence that the the iron cage had been pried open. The church has security cameras at the welcome desk but not inside the chapel.

According to Q13Fox the saint’s heart was the only thing taken from the church despite the fact that Saint Lauds Chapel is filled with valuable items like candlesticks made of gold. Staff at the cathedral said that they were “shocked and saddened” by the disappearance of the 900-year-old heart.

Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Rev. Dermot Dunne has asked for the thief to return the heart. Dunne said

“It has no economic value but it is a priceless treasure that links our present foundation with its founding father, St Laurence O’Toole.”

It isn’t uncommon for Catholics to preserve a body part from a person they believe will one day become a saint. When John Paul II was “blessed” a vial of his blood was put on display. St. Laurence O’Toole was born in 1128 and lived until 1180. He was made a saint in 1225.