A still from ‘Mysteries of the Faith’ Photo: NetflixOne needn’t be a true believer to be fascinated by the holy relics of the Catholic Church, objects credited with the ability to facilitate miracles and even provide access to the divine. Considering how frequently the cinema has co-opted the iconography of the Church—often enough for ghoulish purposes—something like “Mysteries of the Faith” suggests an opportunity for clarity, inspiration and, God knows, maybe a little debunking. Mysteries of the Faith Wednesday, NetflixAs our breathless narrator David Harewood says, “Belief in the power of relics is as old as faith itself” and, similarly, facts have had little to do with belief in the relics covered in this four-part series—which include the Crown of Thorns at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, the Holy Face of Jesus in Manoppello, Italy, and the fragments of the True Cross at the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. All have been associated with purported miracles, and even received the imprimatur of the Vatican. But if one is seeking a peek into secret Church history, or the Almighty’s intervention on Earth, one’s prayers may go unanswered.

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Persons: ’, ”, David Harewood, Jesus Organizations: Netflix, Catholic Church, Cathedral, Notre Dame Locations: Paris, Manoppello, Italy, Rio de Janeiro