ABSTRACT
In January 1588, five ornate standards were raised within the basilica of Saint Peter’s in Rome, along with an impressive baldacchino covering a central raised altar. 1 The sumptuous decorations were to celebrate the canonization of Diego d’Alcalá (d. 1463), a Spanish Franciscan friar who held the honour of being the first person to be canonized in 65 years. Diego was now officially recognized as being amongst the saints in heaven: the virtue of his life was set forth as an example to the faithful, his miracle-working was promoted as reason to seek his intercession, and his feast was to be celebrated in every church around the world. Diego was at once part of a growing group of saints deployed to demonstrate the authenticity of the Catholic Church, and at the same time an individual believed capable of acting as a channel of divine power.
