Santuario Del Miracolo Eucaristico
The Eucharistic Miracle Of Lanciano
Santuario Del Miracolo Eucaristico
ncient Anxanum, the city of the Frentanese, has contained for over twelve centuries the first and greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the
Catholic Church. This wondrous Event took place in the 8th century A. D. in the little Church of St. Legontian, as a divine response to a
Basilian monk doubt about Jesus' Real Presence in the Eucharist.
During Holy Mass, after the two-fold consecration, the host was changed into live Flesh and win was changed into live Blood, which coagulated
into five globules, irregular and differing in shape and size.
The Host-Flesh, as can be very distinctly observed today, has the same dimensions as the large host used today in the Latin church; it is light
brown and appears rose-colored when lighted from the back.
The Blood is coagulated and has an earthly color resembling the yellow of ochre.
Since 1713 the Flesh has been reserved in an artistic silver Ostensorium, delicately embossed by an artisan of the Neapolitan school.
The Blood is enclosed in a rich and very old cup made of Rock-crystal.
The Minor Conventual Friars have been the custodians of the Sanctuary since 1252; their appointment was the wish of Bishop Landulf of Chieti;
their appointment was confirmed by a Pontifical Bull dated April 20, 1252.
The church was in charge of the Basilian monks until 1176; from 1176 until 1252 the Benedictines staffed the church.
In 1700 its architectural style was changed from romanesquegothic to baroque.
The "Miracle" was first reserved in a chapel situated at the side of the main alter.
Then, from 1636 it was reserved in a side-altar of the nave which still contains the old iron chest and the commemorative inscription.
In 1902 it was transferred into the present monumetal marble altar which the people of Lanciano had erected.
Various ecclesiastical investigation ("Recognitions") were conducted since 1574.
In 1970-'71 and taken up again partly in 1981 there took place a scientific investigation by the most illustrius scientist
Prof. Odoardo Linoli, eminent Professor in Anatomy and Pathological Histology and in Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy.
He was assisted by Prof. Ruggero Bertelli of the University of Siena.
The analyses were conducted with absolute and unquestionable scientific precision and they were documented with a series of microscopic
photographs.
These analyses sustained the following conclusions:
In the Flesh we see present in sections: the myocardium, the endocardium, the vagus nerve and also the left ventricle of the heart for
the large thichness of the myocardium.
The Flesh is a "HEART" complete in its essential structure.
The Flesh and the Blood have the same blood-type: AB. In the Blood there were found proteins in the same normal proportions
(percentage-wise) as are found in the sero-proteic make-up of the fresh normal blood.
In the Blood there were also found these minerals: chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.
The preservation of the Flesh and of the Blood, which were left in their natural state for twelve centuries and exposed to the action of
atmospheric and biological agents, remains an extraordinary phenomenon.
In conclusion, it may be said that Science, when called upon to testify, has given a certain and thorough response as regards the authenticity of the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano.
|
|
|
|
Lanciano, Italy
For more information about The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, please visit the online information at The Sanctuary of The Eucharistic Miracle