Man stopped by the gaze of Mary who prevents him from profaning the Holy Sacrament
The history of the Benedictine Abbey of Subiaco in Arkansas is full of significant events that have marked the life of the religious community and the surrounding community. One such episode is the attempted desecration of the Blessed Sacrament by a man who sparked the indignant reaction of the Catholic community.
The profanation of the Blessed Sacrament is a very serious act in the Catholic faith, since it is the body and blood of Christ, present in the consecrated host during mass. The Sacrament is kept with the utmost care and respect within Catholic churches and chapels, and its profanation is considered a sacrilege which gravely offends the dignity of Christ and the Church.
Man freezes in front of Mary's gaze
This story is truly unbelievable. According to the policemen's account, a 32enne armed with a hammer, he had broken into the chapel of the monastery to destroy the Tabernacle and consequently the consecrated hosts.
His diabolical intention, however, is stopped by it Virgin Mary. Before making the horrible gesture, the man lifts his gaze and meets Mary's. At that moment he decides that he can't do it, he can't do such a bad thing.
According to some rumors, the man in question suffered from mental problems and abused psychoactive substances. At that moment she was most likely under the influence of psychotropic drugs.
Before carrying out the profanation and destroying the altar with hammers, the man already had stolen another inside the church itself two reliquaries that contained the relics of a total of six saints, including that of San Benedetto da Norcia himself.
At the time of his arrest he told the police that God she had ordered him to take her bones hidden in the altar.
The attempted profanation of the Blessed Sacrament at the Abbey of Subiaco represents a sad episode in the history of the Catholic faith, but also an example of courage and faith for the Catholic community and for all those who believe in the sacredness of life and in the dignity of the human person.