I just came across this amazing article in the National Catholic Register, the most widely read Catholic newspaper, and thought it was worth sharing. I find myself completely awed that the God of the Universe loves us so much that He continues to give us not only His Holy Spirit to guide us, but also His body and blood to feed us (John 6:52-58). In 2003, Paul and I were able to see a Eucharistic miracle in Orvieto, Italy which dated back to the 13th century. Apparently, the priest celebrating the Mass was having doubts about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and when he raised the host in the air, it started to bleed! There are over 130 documented and scientifically studied cases of Eucharistic miracles. The one mentioned in this article below is the most recent I've heard of. The book called "Eucharistic Miracles" by Joan Carroll Cruz is an inspiring collection of many of the most famous Eucharistic miracles. As Catholics we believe that Jesus is always present in the Eucharist, but it's such a blessing when He gives us miracles to help us believe more fully (He must know our human nature so easily doubts! Just like Thomas, we sometimes need to see to believe.) These miracles are beautiful reminders that Jesus is truly present in our world today and wants to fill us with His love and His Real Presence. Thank you, Jesus!If reports from Poland are true, an alleged Eucharistic miracle that took place a year ago may have merit. According to a Polish blog, the Metropolitan Curia of Bialystok has announced the results of the investigation of an Ecclesial Commission appointed by Archbishop Edward Ozorowski on March 30, 2009.
Father Andrzej Kakareko, Chancellor, writes that on Oct. 12, 2008, a consecrated host fell out of the hands of the priest distributing holy Communion. The priest picked it up and placed it in the vasculum in the tabernacle. After Mass, the vasculum and its contents were transferred to the safe in the sacristy. Seven days later, after opening the safe, a red stain was seen on the host. Ten days after that, the vessel with the host was transferred to the tabernacle in the chapel of the rectory. The next day, the host was removed from the water and placed on the corporal in the tabernacle.
On Jan. 7, 2009, a sample from the host was sent to the University in Bialystok for analysis. According to two medical professionals, professor Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska and professor Stanislaw Sulkowski, the sample, in their opinion, most resembled the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living organism.
While unusual in this day and age, the Church has a long history of Eucharistic miracles. The Vatican International Exhibition’s “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” documents more than 130 worldwide miracles of the Eucharist, demonstrating that Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — body, blood, soul and divinity — continues to make his presence manifest at unique times and places in history.
Perhaps the most famous and well-known, is the Miracle of Lanciano, which occurred about A.D. 750. It bears repeating, as it closely resembles the alleged Polish miracle. During Mass, the celebrant doubted the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. During the consecration, the host transformed into flesh and blood. Subsequent investigations confirmed the authenticity of the human tissue. An investigation, as late as 1970, found the flesh to be cardiac tissue and the blood to be type AB.
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