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‘Blood-red’ Host investigated in Minnesota

CWN - July 15, 2011

After a consecrated Host was accidentally dropped on the floor during Mass on June 19, Father John Echert placed it in water so that it could dissolve and intended later to pour the water into the sacrarium. Instead, part of the Host turned red, and the Host has yet to dissolve fully. The Archdiocese of St. Paul - Minneapolis is now investigating the phenomenon.

“I make no claims, and the archdiocese makes no claims, as to the likelihood of this being supernatural,” said Father Echert, pastor of St. Augustine and Holy Trinity Churches in South St. Paul. “But it is enough of a phenomenon, or unusual, that we will continue to examine this host.”

“I've never in my 24 years as a priest seen or been aware of a phenomenon where a consecrated Host placed in water turns to this bright-colored red and continues in what I would call the blood-red color,” he added.

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  • Posted by: extremeCatholic - Jul. 27, 2011 9:16 PM ET USA

    I second what jeremiahjj wrote. Unless the the host was contaminated or the floor was extraordinarily dirty, the indicated practice is to pick it up and consume it. The sacrarium is for the water used in washing sacred vessels not for the hosts or Precious Blood.

  • Posted by: jeremiahjj - Jul. 16, 2011 2:55 PM ET USA

    It is my understanding the Host should be picked up and consumed by the priest. What's this about dissolving it in the water and pouring it down the sacrarium? That wouldn't happen in my parish. The "blood red color" noted by Fr. Echert might be the Body of Christ crying out.

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