Papal tribute to Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano

November 16, 2015

Pope Francis paid tribute to the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano in a letter released by the Holy See Press Office on November 14.

In naming a special envoy to the conclusion of the anniversary celebration for the creation of the Diocese of Lanciano (now the Archdiocese of Lanciano-Ortona), the Pontiff wrote that “at Lanciano from the eighth century, the wondrous species of the Body and Blood of Christ are preserved, confirming Him to be truly present in the Eucharist.”

Discussing the miracle, Father William Most explained that

around 700 A.D., in the church of St. Legonziano in Lanciano, Italy, a priest was celebrating Mass. He began to doubt the Presence of Jesus in the Host and chalice. Then it happened. Most of the Host changed to flesh (the center kept the appearance of bread), and the Liquid in the chalice became five clots of blood. The treasure was guarded over the centuries by monks.

Finally, in November 1970, the authorities of the Church gave permission for a study. A team of biological and medical scientists gathered. They took small samples of the flesh and the blood and put them through a full battery of tests. They found that the flesh really was human flesh, a part of the heart, and the clots were human blood. The proteins in the blood were the normal ratio contained in fresh blood. Other features of the chemistry were normal. The type of the blood in the clots was the same as the blood in the flesh. Yet, no trace of any preservative or embalming agent was found.

 

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Further information:

• Lettera del Santo Padre all’Inviato Speciale alla celebrazione conclusiva del V centenario della creazione della diocesi di Lanciano (attualmente arcidiocesi di Lanciano-Ortona) (22 novembre 2015), 14.11.2015 ) (Holy See Press Office)
• The MOST Theological Collection: Catholic Apologetics Today: Answers to Modern Critics