Have you ever sat and contemplated the meaning of Jesus in the Eucharist? As Mercedarian Sisters, we hold a special devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, praying before the Eucharist daily.

 

Why do Eucharistic miracles happen? Is not transubstantiation at every Mass enough? Our faith is based on the Church's teaching and Scripture, and we remember that Christ told Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." However, miracles strengthen our faith, and serve as reminders of Christ's overflowing love for us and his constant presence in the Tabernacle.

 

In 1263, Pope Urban IV investigated and confirmed a eucharistic miracle in Bolsena, Italy. There a German priest, Peter of Prague, had doubts about Christ's presence in the consecrated host. While celebrating Mass, he spoke the words of consecration, only to then notice blood seeping from the host and onto the linen corporal. The bloodstained cloth is on display in the Cathedral of Orvieto, Italy, where Pope Urban was residing at the time.

 

Another miraculous reminder of the power of the Eucharist took place in Wawel, Poland in the 1300's, when a church was broken into by thieves. They stole the ciborium, but discarded it along with the consecrated hosts in a nearby marshland. As night came, frightened villagers brought to the bishop reports of a bright light shining from the marsh. After three days of fasting and prayer, the bishop led the people to the marsh, where the hosts and monstrance were discovered.

 

Perhaps the most remarkable Eucharistic miracle is that of Lanciano, Italy, from the 8th century. The host turned into physical flesh and the wine into blood at the consecration. From 1970-71, and again in 1981, scientific tests were performed on the still-preserved specimens of flesh and blood. The tests confirmed that they belonged to the human species. The flesh was identified as tissues from the heart, and the blood was type AB, identical to other Eucharistic miracles.

 

To read about more Eucharistic miracles, you can read Catholic Answers' article "Eucharistic Miracles: Evidence of the Real Presence."