In the 8th century, a monk prepared to pray the Mass. His heart was heavy as he ascended the altar, recited the prayers, and went through the motions.
Was Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament that he was celebrating? Did His words “My flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed” (Jn 6:56) really mean that the bread and wine became His actual Body and Blood?
God knew the monk’s thoughts before he even formulated them in his mind. A divine answer was immediate.
The monk had hardly spoken the last words of consecration before the white Host transformed into soft flesh and the ruby wine into bright blood.
The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano
For 1,300 years, the flesh and blood have remained intact in the Lanciano cathedral. A scientific analysis performed in 1971 revealed that the flesh was cardial tissue and the blood fresh as from a living person.
Joan Carroll Cruz recounts in detail the full history and investigation of the miracle of Lanciano in her fascinating book Eucharistic Miracles. Beginning with this 8th century event and ending with the miracle of Bavaria in 1970, Eucharistic Miracles winds through the centuries, telling thirty-six tales of mystical Eucharistic phenomena from public events to encounters in the lives of the saints. This book rekindles the fire of devotion and wonder for the Real Presence of God in the Eucharist. Get your copy now at The Catholic Company!
