The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano is a visible and permanent miracle
Today we will tell you the story of Eucharistic miracle occurred in Lanciano in 700, in a historical period in which Emperor Leo III persecuted the cult and sacred images so much as to force the Greek monks and some Basilians to take refuge in Italy. Some of these communities arrived in Lanciano.
One day, during the celebration of Holy Mass, Basilian monk he found himself doubting the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. As he pronounced the words of the consecration over the bread and wine, he saw with surprise the bread turn into flesh and wine into blood.
We don't know much about this monk, as details about his identity have not been passed down. What is certain is that at the sight of the miracle rimasand terrified and confused, but ultimately gave way to joy and spiritual emotion.
Regarding this miracle, not even the date is certain, but it could be placed between the years 730-750.
For those who wish to know the history and worship of the Relics of the Eucharistic Miracle, has a first written document available from 1631 who reports in detail what happened to the monk. Near the presbytery of the sanctuary, on the right side of the Valsecca Chapel, you can read the epigraph dated 1636, where the Event is briefly narrated.
The research of the Ecclesiastical Authority
To affirm over the centuries theauthenticity of the Miracle several checks were carried out by the Ecclesiastical Authority. The first dates back to 1574 when the Archbishop Gaspare Rodriguez he found that the total weight of the five blood clots was equivalent to the weight of each of them. This extraordinary fact was not verified further. Other reconnaissances took place in 1637, 1770, 1866, 1970.
The relics of the Miracle were initially kept in one church until 1258, when they passed to the Basilians and subsequently to the Benedictines. After a short period with the archpriests, they were then entrusted to Franciscans in 1252. In 1258, the Franciscans rebuilt the church and dedicated it to St. Francis. In 1809, due to the suppression of the religious orders by Napoleon, the Franciscans had to leave the place, but they reacquired the convent in 1953. The relics were kept in various places, until they are placed behind thehigh altar in 1920. Currently, the “flesh” is displayed in a monstrance and the dried blood clots are contained in a crystal chalice.
Scientific examinations on the Eucharistic miracle
In November 1970, the relics preserved by the Franciscans of Lanciano were subjected to a scientific examination. The Dr. Edoardo Linoli, in collaboration with prof. Ruggero Bertelli, conducted various analyzes on the samples taken. The results showed that the “miracle meat” was in reality cardiac muscle tissue and the “miraculous blood” it was human blood belonging to the AB group. No traces of preservatives or salts used for mummification were found. The professor. Linols excluded the possibility that it was a fake, since the cut present on the flesh showed a precision that required anatomical skills advanced. Furthermore, if blood had been taken from a dead body, it would have been done quickly degraded.