Eucharistic Miracles

In today’s Bits & Bytes, I reported on a new Eucharistic miracle that occurred on June 9, 2022 in Honduras. It struck me that these seem to be coming at an extraordinary pace, so I did a search. I have only included the miracles that involved the bread and/or wine turning into visible flesh and/or blood that is still preserved to this day. While many of these have not been examined by scientists, enough have been that I think it’s worth listing them all, since I am primarily interested in the quantity and frequency of such events in the past as compared with now.

SUMMARY: Up until the twelfth century, there were only four such miracles. The number peaked in the early Middle Ages, with six in the 12^th century, ten in the thirteenth, and six again in the fourteenth century.

Things slowed way down between the Renaissance and the modern era, with just one in the fifteenth century, none in the sixteenth or seventeenth, one in the eighteenth century, then none again in the nineteenth and two in the twentieth century.

My sense that these incidents are coming more frequently does seem to be supported by the evidence. There have been four so far this century, each one studied by scientists and approved by bishops. There was also a fifth one which was inexplicably (to me) buried rather than sent to a lab.

In addition, just during 2022 and 2023, there have also been four miraculous Eucharistic incidents that did not involve flesh or blood, but which, because they were videotaped and attested to by multiple living witnesses, deserve to be included here.

===================================

595: Rome, Italy – A consecrated host turned into bloody flesh; the substance is preserved at a monastery in Anechs, Germany.

750: Lanciano, Italy – At the consecration, a priest who doubted the Real Presence saw the host turn into flesh that took the form of a heart, while the wine turn into blood that coagulated into five globules of different sizes. These materials have been continuously preserved by religious orders and are currently at the Franciscan church in Lanciano.

At the time, the local archbishop ordered an investigation during which it was declared that the Flesh and Blood appeared to be human. In addition, each individual globule of blood weighed the same as the others, whether weighed individually or in various combinations. IOW, one globule weighed the same as all five together.

In 1574, eight centuries later, the globules were weighed again, with the same result. Also, the materials showed no sign of deterioration.

The most thorough study occurred in 1970-71 and again in 1981 (with more advanced technology), after another four centuries, Pope Paul VI permitted examination by Dr. Odoardo Linoli, professor of anatomy and pathological histology, chemistry and clinical microscopy, and head physician of the hospital of Arezzo. Linoli’s findings were independently verified by Dr. Ruggero Bertelli, professor emeritus of human anatomy at the University of Siena.

The major findings from this research include the following: The Flesh, yellow-brown in color, has the structure of the myocardium (heart wall) and the endocardium, the membrane of fibrous-elastic tissue lining all the cardiac cavities. These have the same appearance as in the human heart. No traces of preservatives were found in the elements, yet despite being 1,200 years old, had the same properties as fresh human blood, type AB.

You’ll notice below how often the miraculous materials turn out to be AB positive, the same blood type found on the Shroud of Turin. People with AB positive blood can receive transfusion from any blood type, which is why it is called the “universal receptor” blood type.

1010: Ivorra, Spain – During Mass, the consecrated wine transformed into Blood and poured onto the altar cloth, then flowed on to the ground. Pope Sergius IV certified the miracle, whose relics are preserved in the same church.

1194: Augsburg, Germany – A consecrated host turned into bloody flesh, which is preserved at the Convent of the Holy Cross. Various sites say, “Over the centuries various analyses were done which have always maintained that it is flesh and human blood.” But none detail them.

1222: Meersen, The Netherlands – Blood from a consecrated host dripped on to the corporal, which is preserved at the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament.

1228: Alatri, Italy – A consecrated host turned into bloody flesh. Pope Gregory IX documented the incident the same year. The host is preserved at the cathedral in Alatri.

1230: Florence, Italy – Consecrated wine turned into blood. Pope Boniface IX approved veneration of the substance, which has been preserved at the Church of St. Ambrose.

1263: Bolsena, Italy – Just after the consecration, the host began to bleed. Pope Urban IV investigated the miraculous host and bloodstained corporal (linen altar cloth), confirmed its authenticity, then instituted a new feast day – the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

1273: Offida, Italy – A consecrated host turned into bloody flesh. The flesh and corporal are preserved at the Church of St. Augustine.

1294: Valvasone, Italy – A woman washing altar linens noticed blood on the corporal. Looking more closely, she discovered it was flowing from a particle of consecrated host that was stuck in the fibers. The cloth is preserved in the Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ.

1300: O’Cebreiro, Spain – Consecrated bread and wine turned into flesh and blood. The elements are preserved at the church where the miracle occurred. Pope Innocent VIII and Pope Alexander VI both doc8mented the miracle.

1310: Fiecht, Austria – Right after the consecration, the wine turned into blood and began to boil and overflow the chalice. In 1480, a chronicler said the blood was still fresh. This miracle has been declared authentic; the blood is preserved to this day at the Monastery of St. Georgenberg.

1317: Herkenrode-Hasselt, Belgium – When a priest visiting a sick parishioner opened his pyx, he found the host was stained with blood. It is preserved at the Church of St. Quintinus in Hasselt.

1330: Cascia, Italy – A priest who was preparing to visit a dying parishioner carelessly tucked a consecrated host in his prayer book. When he went to get it, he discovered it was bleeding; both pages stained with blood. One of the pages is conserved in Cascia.

1356: Macerata, Italy – During the consecration, blood gushed forth from the consecrated host falling into the chalice, as well as onto the altar linen. After the Mass, the priest promptly reported the event to the bishop who opened a canonical investigation. The linen is preserved at the cathedral.

1370: Brussels, Belgium – A thief who hated the Catholic Church stole some consecrated hosts and, on Good Friday, he and some buddies stabbed at them with a knife. When they began to bleed, they freaked out and turned them in. They are preserved at the cathedral in Brussels.

1370: Cimballa, Spain – A consecrated host transformed into flesh with a blood flowing out; the stained corporal is preserved at the Church of the Purification of Our Lady.

1374: Middleburg-Lovanio, Belgium – During Mass, a consecrated host turned into bloody flesh. The bishop approved veneration of the substance, which is preserved in two churches in the area.

1380: Boxtel-Hoogstraten, The Netherlands – Consecrated wine spilled on to the corporal and altar cloth turned into blood. The corporal is preserved at a church in Boxtel; the altar cloth is at a church in Hoogstraten.

1384: Seefeld, Austria – During Mass, blood began to flow from the consecrated host. The host is preserved at the Church of St. Oswald.

1400: Boxmeer, The Netherlands – During a Mass, consecrated wine turned into Blood and bubbled out of the chalice, splashing onto the corporal and coagulated into a lump the size of a walnut. This lump is preserved at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. It has not rotted or changed in size or shape.

1405: Bois-Seigneur-Isaac, Belgium – A consecrated host bled and stained the corporal. After investigating, the bishop approved the veneration of the corporal, which is preserved at the monastery.

1411: Ludbreg, Croatia – Immediately after the consecration, the wine turned into blood, which is preserved at the church in Ludbreg. Pope Leo X approved veneration of the substance.

1420: Guadalupe, Spain – During the Consecration of the Mass, a doubting priest saw a dense cloud come down above the altar. Asking for his doubts to be removed, the priest saw the cloud be replaced by a vision of the Host suspended above the chalice. Drops of Blood were falling into the chalice, which overflowed, staining the corporal and pall, which are preserved at the church.

1429: Alkmaar, The Netherlands – Consecrated wine that accidentally spilled on to the priest’s chasuble turned into blood. After numerous investigations, the bishop approved the miracle. The chasuble is preserved at the cathedral where the miracle occurred.

1430: Dijon, France – Blood flowed out of a consecrated host. When it dried, it left an image of Jesus sitting on a throne. The host was preserved until 1794, when revolutionaries destroyed it. I include it here, because it was well documented before it was destroyed.

1572: Gorkum, The Netherlands – When an anti-Catholic mercenary stomped on a consecrated host with his spiked boots, the host bled in three places. It was moved to Catholic Spain for safe keeping where it has been preserved at the Monastery of San Lorenzo in Escorial. It is known as the Sagrada Forma (sacred form).

1730: Siena, Italy – This one is a slight departure, having no blood or flesh. However, it has been repeatedly studied, so I’m including it. On Aug. 14, 1730, thieves stole a silver pyx containing 351 consecrated hosts. The stolen hosts were recovered in the dusty alms box of a nearby church and were returned to the Franciscan church.

The hosts were examined in 1780, 1789, 1889, 1815, 1854, and 1914. Each time, they were found to still be as fresh as the day they were baked. During one of the examinations, some non-consecrated hosts were sealed in a tin box for 10 years. When reopened, the commission found only worms and rotten fragments instead of the hosts.

1991: Betania, Venezuela – During Mass, a consecrated host began to bleed from one side. Investigation showed the blood is type AB positive, which does not match the priest’s blood type. The host is preserved in a convent in Los Teques. During an exposition in 1998, it was filmed pulsating and bleeding. CLICK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqsRDD6kXWY to see the video.

1996: Buenos Aires, Argentina – A consecrated Host was found in the back of St. Mary’s Church. The priest put it into water, but instead of dissolving, it developed red stains that became larger over time. This host has been examined by forensic scientists at different labs and in different countries in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. The scientists were not told the source of the sample; they found fragments of human DNA, human heart tissue, and living white blood cells. (White blood cells normally die within two hours after being taken from a body.)

2006: Tixtla, Mexico – On Oct. 21, 2006, a consecrated host began to bleed. Scientific analysis determined the blood had not been placed on the Host, but had originated from the interior of it. In addition, the blood type was AB and contained intact white blood cells, red blood cells and macrophages. They also found heart muscle tissue and fragments of DNA. It is preserved at the parish where the miracle occurred.

2008: Sokolka, Poland – After a priest at St. Anthony’s dropped a host, he put it in water and had the parish sacristan lock it up. Only the two of them had keys. A week later, the sacristan checked and found the host had acquired a bright red stain, yet the water was clear.

The archbishop ordered that the host be taken out of the water and placed on a small corporal, which was then put back in the tabernacle. It was kept this way for three years. A few months later, the host had dried, leaving a stain on the cloth. A piece of the altered host was taken and analyzed independently by two histopathologists at the Medical University of Bialystok.

The results of both independent studies were in perfect agreement: there are no foreign substances on the host; the transformed material is myocardial (heart) tissue of a living person who is nearing death; and, the structure of the heart muscle fibers is deeply intertwined with that of the bread, in a way impossible to achieve with human means.

2013: Legnica, Poland – When a consecrated host falls to the ground, the code of Canon Law says it should be placed in water and locked in the Tabernacle until it dissolves, after which the water is poured into the earth. When the priest at St. Hyacinth’s went to check on just such a host, he found it not only had not dissolved, but also had acquired a red spot. Scientists determined the red material was human tissue that showed characteristics of heart muscle in a person who had been brutalized. The bishop approved veneration of the corporal in 2016.

2022: Gracias, Honduras – A corporal was discovered to have blood on it. A medical center in Tegucigalpa confirmed the stain was not man-made and is human blood, type AB positive. The bishop has recognized that this is a genuine miracle.

2022: Zapotlanejo, Mexico – Numerous people attending Adoration saw the consecrated host beat like a human heart. Multiple people filmed it with their cell phones; the priest collected the videos so they could be studied without alteration. One of these videos is posted @ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BzbxHu_k7vI. So far as I could find out, the diocese has not (yet?) investigated this.

2022: California – CLICK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJe5ng_m83o [6:42] to see a video taken during Benediction after a Eucharistic Procession for Life that had gone by a newly opened Planned Parenthood near the church. Some say it looks like a beating heart or the wings of an angel. I think it looks like is a fetal echocardiograph like the ones shown @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0lIPKDM95I.

2023: Donegal, Ireland – CLICK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duBUAXrF2Nw [7:21] to hear the priest’s personal testimony of a consecrated host miraculously flying through the air. N.b., in my research, I came across a number of stories about hosts flying or shining with light, but the stories were so old that I decided to leave them off this list. However, this one is from this summer and was witnessed by three people who are still alive.

2023: Thomaston, Connecticut – CLICK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA28qyKITBY [4:31] to hear about another one that doesn’t involve flesh or blood, but rather a miraculous multiplication of the consecrated hosts. I’m including it here for the same reason as I did the Donegal, Ireland, miracle.

2023: Melbourne, Australia – This one is puzzling. It appears from this report @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm8I8YNV86A that another dropped host started to bleed. But, the diocese decided that, instead of investigating it as a miracle, they’d bury it! They claim it’s because they weren’t certain the host had been consecrated. Uhh … wouldn’t the miracle be a sign that it was? My take on this is that this bishop is one of those false teachers who is working for the wrong side.

• https://catholicvote.org/new-eucharistic-miracle-in-honduras/
• https://www.ncregister.com/blog/five-eucharistic-miracles
• http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/engl_mir.htm
• https://www.ncregister.com/features/three-eucharistic-miracles-which-cases-have-undergone-the-most-extensive-scientific-analysis
• https://www.introducingbrussels.com/brussels-cathedral
• https://www.catholicnetcast.com/blog/files/THE_EUCHARISTIC_MIRACLE_OF_AUGSBURG.html
• https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-miracle-of-lanciano.html
• https://www.visionsofjesuschrist.com/weeping2117.html
• https://thecatholictravelguide.com/destinations/mexico/tixtla-mexico-eurcharistic-miracle-of-tixtla/
• http://www.miraclehunter.com/eucharistic-miracles/1400-1500.html
• https://thecatholictravelguide.com/destinations/poland/legnica-poland-eucharistic-in-swiety-jacek-st-hyacinth/
• https://aleteia.org/2017/09/23/the-eucharistic-miracle-of-sokolka-the-host-is-tissue-from-heart-of-a-dying-man/
• https://aleteia.org/2017/09/23/the-eucharistic-miracle-of-sokolka-the-host-is-tissue-from-heart-of-a-dying-man/
• https://www.deepertruthcatholics.com/single-post/2019/11/11/The-Guardian-Angel-The-Eucharistic-Miracle-of-Ivorra-Spain-1010
• http://www.miraclehunter.com/eucharistic-miracles/1500-1600.html
• https://catholicherald.co.uk/o-cebreiro-the-greatest-eucharistic-miracle-youve-never-heard-of/
• https://aleteia.org/2019/06/17/this-eucharistic-host-was-filmed-bleeding-and-pulsating-like-a-heart-on-fire/
• https://www.ncregister.com/cna/a-new-eucharistic-miracle-in-latin-america
• https://www.ncregister.com/cna/a-new-eucharistic-miracle-in-mexico
• https://www.irishcatholic.com/priest-alleges-angels-intervened-to-stop-man-receiving-eucharist/
• https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/eucharistic-miracle-may-be-mundane/