Today we celebrate the Mystery of Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist in a special way.
Pope Urban IV established this feast in 1264. While there were a number of things that inspired the establishment of the feast – including the influence of the Norbertine nun St. Julianna of Liège – one of the events that inspired the establishment of the feast was a Eucharistic Miracle in Italy.
In 1263, a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at Bolsena while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He was pious, but he found it difficult to accept that Christ was actually present in the consecrated Host. While celebrating Holy Mass above the tomb of St. Christina (located in the church named for this martyr), he spoke the words of consecration and immediately blood started to seep from the consecrated Host and trickle over his hands and onto the altar. At first, the priest tried to hide the blood, but eventually he interrupted the Mass and asked to be taken to the neighboring city of Orvieto, where Pope Urban IV resided. The Pope sent emissaries to investigate. When the facts were ascertained, he ordered the bishop of the diocese to bring the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of blood to him. He had the relics placed in the cathedral.
The linen bearing the spots of Blood is still reverently enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto.
There have been a number of other Eucharistic Miracles that have occurred throughout the centuries confirming the Catholic Church’s teaching on Christ’s Real Presence of the Eucharist.
Some of these are on display in our church hallways that you can read about.
You can also read about many others here: www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html.
And lest one think this is only pious legend, there have even been some that have occurred in our lifetimes, in the last couple of decades that have undergone rigorous scientific analysis, the results of which have been quite fascinating. Dr. Serafini, a cardiologist, has examined the medical and scientific evidence behind five Eucharistic miracles, namely: Lanciano (8th century), Buenos Aires (1992, 1994 and 1996), Tixtla (2006), Sokolka (2008) and Legnica (2013). He has found that in all five cases the hosts have living human heart tissue – displaying signs of significant trauma – and are of AB blood type, which is the “universal receiver.”
Thus it seems to point to Christ’s own heart, that underwent the trauma of the crucifixion, and as we receive Him in the Eucharist, he receives us, and incorporates us into His Mystical Body.
A reminder that we will have a Eucharistic Procession at 6:30 p.m. TONIGHT (Sun. June 11), beginning at St. Patrick’s in Hampton and ending at Band Shell park.
There will be a supper back at the parish to follow. Please consider joining us for any or all of it! The Procession, the final prayers at the park, the supper after that!
Peace,
– Fr. Kevin
