This article was originally published April 13, 2020. It has been updated to reflect more recent research.
The Vatican International Exhibition: The Eucharistic Miracles of the World catalogs the 100+ purported Eucharistic miracles that have been recorded and venerated since the earliest days of the Church to the present. The exhibit tours the world, drawing attention to the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
When we think about Eucharistic miracles, we may be tempted to think that most of them are unsubstantiated stories that only happened in the “old days” and couldn’t happen today in our age of science.
The last few decades, however, have seen a surge in Eucharistic miracles, which cannot be explained by science. And in most of these recent miracles, the Eucharist turns into human flesh and blood.
The consistency among the scientific results is startling. Let’s begin with the oldest-known verifiable case of the Eucharist transforming into physical flesh and blood—the Miracle of Lanciano, which took place in 750AD and underwent testing in the 1970s. The facts of this case are stunning.
The Most Remarkable Miracle of the Middle Ages
In 750AD, a priest experienced a terrible temptation to doubt the True Presence while He was saying Mass. As he pronounced the words of consecration, the host and the wine transformed into what appeared to be flesh and blood.
In 1970, more than 1,200 years later, the archbishop of Lanciano, with Rome’s approval, requested a thorough scientific examination of the miraculous relics by Dr. Edward Linoli, director of the hospital at Arezzo and professor of anatomy, histology, chemistry, and clinical microscopy. His report, submitted on March 4, 1971, detailed the following results:
- The coagulated substance is human blood, AB blood type, with the same protein distribution as found in normal, fresh blood
- The host is human muscular striated tissue of the myocardium, left ventricle (heart); arteries, veins, branch of vagus nerve, and adipose tissue all can be identified
- Like the blood, the flesh is also fresh, living tissue, because it “responded rapidly to all the clinical reactions distinctive of living beings” as if the flesh and blood samples had been taken that day
- Histological tests revealed no sign of preservation techniques of any kind
The Miracles in the Age of Science
Until the 1990s, Lanciano was the only proven case of the Eucharist turning into human flesh. Other cases have not been tested with modern scientific equipment, nor have the many dozens of bloodstains on corporals and chalices that have been preserved and are venerated as having come from bleeding hosts. But in 1992, the miracles started happening again.
1992 and 1996, Buenos Aires, Argentina: In 1992, consecrated particles left on the corporal were put into water to dissolve and locked in the tabernacle, as the Church prescribes for disposing of consecrated hosts. One week later, they had changed into a red substance. Then again in 1996 after a consecrated host fell to the ground and was also put in water to dissolve, it was found a few days later to have turned into a bloody substance. Both cases were sent to be tested by the archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was none other than our future Pope Francis.
2006, Tixtla, Mexico: During a retreat, a religious sister who was distributing Communion looked down and noticed that one of the Hosts had begun to bleed and transform.
2008, Sokolka, Poland: A consecrated Host fell to the ground during Communion and was put in water and locked in a tabernacle to dissolve. A week later, most of the Host was dissolved except for a red “clot” that remained.
2013, Legnica, Poland: A consecrated Host fell and was put in water and locked in a tabernacle. Two weeks later a red spot covered one-fifth of the undissolved Host.
Startling Scientific Results
Each of these occurrences received intensive study with highly advanced technology. In several cases, doctors did not know the source of the material. And yet, in all the cases, the same results were found, and are consistent with the results of Lanciano, providing even more details due to more advanced science:
- The blood is human, AB blood type; human DNA was found; white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and mycrophages were present, indicating fresh blood; in the Tixtla miracle, the blood clearly emanated from within, because the blood on the surface had begun to coagulate but the interior blood was still fresh, as with a bleeding wound
- The flesh is human myocardium tissue of the left ventricle of an inflamed heart; in the miracles from Argentina and Poland, there was evidence of trauma from the presence of thrombi, indicating repeated lack of oxygen; lesions present showed rapid cardiac spasms typical in the final phases of death
- In the Sokolka miracle, the remaining host is tightly interconnected with the fibers of human tissue, penetrating each other inseparably – as if the bread were transforming into flesh. “Even NASA scientists, who have at their disposal the most modern analytical techniques, would not be able to artificially recreate such a thing,” affirmed Dr. Sobaniec-Lotowska, one of the examining experts.
Dr. Frederick Zugibe, a forensic doctor at Columbia University who examined the Argentinian miracle, did not know the source of the sample and told the doctor who brought it to him, “If white blood cells were present (in the heart tissue), it is because at the moment you brought me the sample, it was pulsating.” When he learned the source of the sample, he was shocked and deeply moved.
Why?
Why has the Lord suddenly multiplied Eucharistic miracles in the last few decades? Are we, like Doubting Thomas, refusing to believe unless we see, touch, and feel for ourselves? Jesus in his love for Thomas condescended to let him see, touch, and feel his wounds in order to believe. Perhaps he is now doing the same for us.
So many young people have rejected religion as “unscientific.” So here’s the science to prove our faith. Others say they don’t believe in religion because it’s just opinion or contrary to “reason.” Here’s quantifiable, measurable, physical evidence.
But more is going on here. The Church teaches:
“in the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’”
CCC 1374
Scripturally, we see this in John 6:48-58 and 1 Corinthians 10:16 and 11:27. Yet the Eucharist is transforming into human heart only.
It’s as if Jesus, by transforming into a human heart, is crying out to us, “I’m here! I love you! My heart yearns for you! Was not my crucifixion enough to prove my love for you? See, then, and believe. I have remained hidden in the Eucharist for these two thousand years that I may remain close to you. Please, approach me. Receive me. Quench my thirst for your love.”
How Shall We Respond to This Plea from Heaven?
If our Lord has condescended to make himself so evident to us in order to be heard above the noise of our modern world, gratitude alone should impel us to respond. In the words of St. Gemma Galgani:
“Let us go to Jesus. He is all alone and hardly anyone thinks of him. Poor Jesus.”
Go to confession. Receive him in Communion. Spend time in Adoration. Learn more about the Mass and the Eucharist so that you may appreciate him more. On the Cross, Jesus cried out, “I thirst.” As many saints have told us, it was not water he was thirsting for—it was you. Quench his thirst.
You May Also Like:
How the Eucharist Changed My Life
The Eucharistic Miracle Overseen by Archbishop Bergoglio (Pope Francis)
Why Society Needs More Eucharistic Adoration
Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed [study program]
Jeannette Williams is the part-time communications coordinator of St. Jude Church and Shrine in Chalfont, Pennsylvania and a freelance writer and blogger. The mother of six, she homeschooled the first five through high school in the classical tradition, while the youngest now attends a new classical high school, Martin Saints, in Oreland, Pennsylvania. Jeannette’s greatest passion, besides her family, is to study the Catholic Faith and share it with others. When she’s not writing, Jeannette enjoys studying Spanish and Japanese, gardening, and spending time with her husband and children.
Photo by David Eucaristía from Pexels
I wrote about several Eucharistic miracles I privately witnessed in 2002 in chapter 6 of Where Will You Plant Your Seed Responding to The Word of God published by Westbow Press. On February 10th, 2002 while distributing Communion about halfway through my station’s line I started to get Host conscious (paying more attention to The Eucharistic than to those receiving) the fourth as I said “The Body of Christ “, the woman replied “Amen” stuck out her tongue as she closed her eyes, in an instant as I was still had The Host elevated I saw The Eucharist change, on our hosts there is a cross, this Host for a brief moment a third of it vanished with little particles suspended. I focused on the new edge, The Host which had been round now had three curves, the new edge had the machined look like that of a quarter, (the edge was lightly two-toned red and gold) I looked from The Host to the woman, she still had her eyes closed and her tongue extended, I looked slightly left to her shoulder, the pew tops ( recognizing I still had another 150 or so still in my station to receive) I thought as my glance returned to The Host (do I put it back in and give her another? her eyes being shut did not see it) I thought The LORD probably has a special blessing for her, wit that the new edge gained in dimension and the three new curves had I rotated The Host a quarter turn clockwise would have resembled a valentine’s ❤️. (with the upper curves being touched in their center by the edge of the cross) I put The Host on her tongue, not saying a word to anyone at mass about what I witnessed (somethings you have to ponder) I had taken a half dozen homebound to mass, I returned them to their homes, when I got home I called one of them, this woman for months had been in pain from 3 compressed vertebra. As I was telling her what I had seen, she interrupted me saying, “my whole body is shaking, the chronic pain has just subsided “. That was the first of three people that I spoke to that week about what I had seen each of them had physical changes happen.
Pentecost that year we had a visiting priest Fr. Michael Sears, The Eucharistic Ministers were invited to be around the alter for The Concercration, since I was first, he gave me Communion first, as he presented the Cup, he said “The Blood of Christ, share it with your Brothers and Sisters” I replied Amen, retrieved the chalice took a sip, I tasted wine, then I tasted Blood, from my upper lip to my sternum and from shoulder to shoulder it was like I had been (defibrillated) shocked. Around that time frame a friend that I had been praying for for months his pacemaker fired off and laid him flat he said it was like being kicked in the chest with a horse. To the end of that story before I had met him he had been defibrillated 38 times been declared clinically dead twice, his Cardiologist said you are on a short list for a new heart, even after we give you a new heart you will be on 600 MG of betablockers for the rest of your life, several weeks after that Pentecost he was told by the same Cardiologist “the treatment for your heart is concluded you no longer need that medicine yoy no longer need that defibrillator. My friend called me up in 2013 and stated “My heart is still strong!” A couple December’s ago one of the men that I prayed wit for John told him during our Zoom call, “John it has been over 20 years since your heart was healed!”
Please take the time to thank God for continuing to be present to meeting our needs.
“Why has the Lord suddenly multiplied Eucharistic miracles in the last few decades? ” – Undoubtedly because of his Divine Mercy. Science can only attempt to explain phenomena contained within the created universe, it can’t address a transcendent God who cannot be quantified, analysed or replicated: the null hypothesis would be that God does not exist and that the universe created itself unless the creator makes himself known through revelation.
Where’s the scientific report of analysis before and after the wind and bread were blessed by the priest?
I belive. Much of life, I do not know…. But God….. WeIknow.
Just today in the news, communion wafers were miraculously replaced when the vessel was empty. I believe in miracles.
Provide the actual scientific articles that show the hard data and references. Stop writing blogs stating there’s scientific evidence if you don’t know how to properly write about scientific findings.
Do you research on how to write referencing research articles.
Jeannette,
I’m Mark Hoeger,President of the Power of Prayer Adoration chapel in dubuque IA., and contributor to the Aquinas Communication magazine, The Bellowing Ox for our Catholic radio station. Please let me know if I can use your article to promote our Eucharistic hours needed by the Chapel.
I find your article and research some of the best I’ve seen and know that our readers and listeners to KCRD-FM will find it amazing to say the least. May you and your family be blessed beyond measure.
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is sufficient”
FYI – The first link in the article “The Vatican International Exhibition: The Eucharistic Miracles of the World” is broken and directs to a 404 error…
Please do not misunderstand my inquiry. I am a regular Mass attendee, attend weekly Adoration and frequent the confessional. I just want to know why there is zero information on DNA testing. This is a huge argument against the Real Presence by non believers and a no brainer for the Claim of the Real Presence.
in the you tube video, The Eucharistic Miracle of Buenos Aires, they stated that a DNA test was done but they could not get a genetic profile.
I suggest you read the book ” A cardiologist examines Jesus” by Dr. Franco Serafini. In the book you will get all the references to all the scientific studies plus a good explanation on all the studies.
Do more research on your own😊. There have been many scientists that have studied the tissue remains and have all the same findings. Just saying🙏👍
Please read “A Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles” available on Amazon. Dr. Franco Serafini walks you through the extensive medical and scientific research into five Eucharistic miracles, unveiling the stunning testimonies of hematologists, oncologists, neurologists, geneticists, molecular biologists, and many more, who all conclude the same thing: the five Eucharistic miracles are undeniably authentic.
Please answer me the following questions:
1) Has a DNA analysis been completed of the heart tissue?
2) If a DNA analysis has not been performed, why?
3) What are the results of the DNA analysis?
yes it was determined to be human DNA
A real faith builder. I will look at the elevated host and chalice with a vibrant awe and with deeper faith. Thanks so much
Is the blood coming from a statue or what?
Thank you for your interview with Gus Lloyd today on the SiriusXM Catholic Channel’s Sieze the Day.
I am so amazed at these findings. You put it all in one place! I’ll be sharing with all my non-Catholic friends, and also those who have fallen away from the Church. God bless you! 🙏✝️
Gloria, I just saw this reply. Thank you for your kind words! I really enjoyed being on the show.
I have since found a video that shows the Italian and English translations of the Lanciano report “Miracle of Lanciano Medical Report by Dr. Linoli” on The Joy of the Faith channel. It may help with your friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaoaHNhX1pk
I wish I’d never mentioned the WHO. It caused unnecessary controversy for an otherwise well-documented miracle.
Great article, Could I use some of your wording in a banner for Eucharistic Miracles
We need more of this information on a regular basis to help strengthen our faith
Jesus, I Adore You in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus, I Trust in You 🙏🙏
How do we ensure that it was not cheating in AD750? The Catholic church is notorious for marketing miracles… I have witnessed one, but we exposed their trick…
Please re read the article carefully. You will see that the miracle of 750AD was tested in 1971 and in 1971 – say again – IN 1971- the host was determined to be FRESH human heart muscle.
I was born to a Catholic mom I went thru to confirmation…I have been divorced 2xs…I went back to Confession was told I would have to get an Annulment from the Church for the divorces…(almost $2,000.00 each) in order to receive Communion….
why ??? can’t I be forgiven and get Communion….
You would need an annulment if you wish to marry; an annulment is a decision that you haven’t actually been married yet; that what you consider to be your previous marriages were actually invalid. It’s not automatic, it’s not a form you fill out or something you “do” like a divorce: it’s a decision that may go either way. The important principle is that the Church has always and will always teach that you can only be married once (except if your spouse dies), and that divorce is impossible. I’m surprised and sorry for you that it costs that much, but it does involve some work on behalf of people, it’s not generating profit for the Church, and the Church would prefer to not undertake it at all. The Church might be willing to waive it if you speak to someone in your parish: we will not do deliberately do anything to keep you from coming back to God!
But the more important news for you is that Jesus has forgiven you in the sacrament of confession! You came to him with a contrite heart and you have been absolved of your sin. You should ask the priest to whom you confessed to be sure, but I think you should have no problem aproaching Our Lord at communion. You do not need an annulment to be forgiven.
Well said!
Excellent article, please see my reply to Mark as a senior medic
The publish link goes nowhere, why is it so hard to get a scientific reviewed paper on any catholic miracles? Atheists demand it and yet you could spend a day searching and never find one online…
Right here: https://web.archive.org/web/20201007171625/http://handsonapologetics.com/Miracolo%20Euaristico_Eucharistic%20Miracle.PDF
Please update your article. The story of WHO studies are not real, apparently. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq089dbcibs
Yes, I recently saw something about that. I do wish Ascension would delete my reference to the WHO report, as it detracts from all the other provable evidence.
I have since found a video that shows the Italian and English translations of the Lanciano report “Miracle of Lanciano Medical Report by Dr. Linoli” on The Joy of the Faith channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaoaHNhX1pk
I wish I’d never mentioned the WHO. It caused unnecessary controversy for an otherwise well-documented miracle.
Excellent article! Thank you!
The late Frederick Zugibe M.D., wasn’t just any “forensic doctor.” He was also one of the foremost experts and researchers on the topic of crucifixion as it relates to the Shroud of Turin and the belief that it is the image of the crucified Christ. That he would be “shocked and deeply moved” comes as no surprise. He was reportedly a devout Catholic–during a Shroud conference in Richmond, VA, I happen to also attend mass there and saw Dr. Zugibe on the Communion line, and I later read that he was a eucharistic minister at the Catholic church that he regularly attended. As per his wishes, he is buried in Fatima, Portugal, due to his devotion to our Lady of Fatima. I was fortunate enough to attend a lecture he conducted around 2005 or not long after, in support of his final book, “The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Forensic Inquiry.”
I was telling several catholic friends about Lanciano and Argentina and they had never heard of them before. I had not either until a friend from Mexico told me about it after a pilgrimage to Lanciano. All of us asked the same question…….why were we not told about this in our Catholic schools as children back in 50’s & 60’s and why don’t we hear about them in our churches and in our Catholic newspapers? Lots of other things have happened too that we have no idea of unless you have someone from another country tell you about. WHY?
That’s nice and all but I checked the WHO myself to get a full scoop on it and it’s not there <3. They have no public releases on the test for the Eucharist so if you have any contradicting result I would LOVE a link~! <3
Believing in the Eucharist (Real Presence) should not require scientific proof.
Couldn’t agree more. The Church deals with the metaphysical in the Eucharist and science cannot explain it. Science can’t prove that the being or substantial part of the Eucharist is bread and wine, it can only observe and see the characteristics present in the observable world, not the metaphysical part.
Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, I have come to meet and praise you. Amen
For those asking for scientific results:
2008 miracle is very likely mold -https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/6461051/Miracle-as-communion-wafer-becomes-heart-tissue.html#:~:text=Pawel%20Grzesiowskia%2C%20a%20leading%20biologist,the%20eastern%20village%20of%20Sokolka.
2006 miracle was also mold according to a now deleted article-
https://localtvkstu.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/bleeding-host-was-mold-not-miracle-according-to-diocese/
As for Lanciano- can’t find anything regarding the WHO reviewing anything and apparently the branch of the WHO that investigated doesn’t even exist.
Buenos Aires- Both of these miracles were overseen by none other than the future Pope Francis. However, I find the reports on these to be only of catholic origin from what I have found which are likely biased.
I personally think that if any of these were real, they would have caught much more attention world wide. I also would like to have access to the actual reports and who exactly did them. For example, the examiner (Catholic) of the 2008 miracle stated that it was flesh, however, the other scientists are rightfully skeptical and want more testing (which has not happened). As others looking into it have pointed out, there’s really no way to verify Lanciano as real either because of how long ago it was. I’m not writing this to be a jerk, this is simply what I have found. I desperately hope that at least one of these are real as it’s terrifying how much science can explain, but if they’re not then I have to accept that as hard as it is. I suppose I could attempt to email the WHO, but it’s not my right to see those documents if they exist anyway. Again, not trying to damper anyone’s spirits. I just wanted answers and this is what I got.
Just curious, do you honestly think the world really wants to be convinced there is something beyond the visible world?
I mean, to be honest Christianity was forced onto everyone when invaders came into land. Native Americans already believed in Spirituality, but they were forced to be Christian or they would be killed. So, what you’re looking for is yes. But not in Christianity all the time.
Have a look at this video
https://youtu.be/bd16tBRbLXw
And this book
https://reasontobelieve.com.au/unseen/
To me, the Eucharist isn’t about whether these miracles are real or not for the Eucharist is not part of what science can observe, it is metaphysical. The being, the essence the “soul” of that bread and wine is the Body of Christ not in an observable or scientific way, but in a metaphysical one.
https://web.archive.org/web/20201007171625/http://handsonapologetics.com/Miracolo%20Euaristico_Eucharistic%20Miracle.PDF
This is the study of Buenos Aires right here… but it’s in Italian
I came across your article while searching for information or sources on the scientific research that was conducted on these miracles, especially Sokolka Poland. I have children in the medical field who have fallen away from the faith and I would like to challenge them with this research. For example, the Shroud of Turin, has a website where all this information is made available but there isn’t anything, that I can find, where we can go to see the researchers actual findings of other phenomena. Are you aware of any resources like that?
Carlo Acutis (on his way to becoming a modern Saint) created a website devoted to the Eucharistic Miracles. Perhaps you can find something there? http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html
This is excellent. Thank you
Thank you, Mabel, please share and get the word out!
I tasted blood in the Eucharist around 2000. It recurred on and off for about 7 years. The first time was so profound. I was discounted by a university based priest.
I wrote in my book about a visiting priest Father Michael Sears our Celebrant for Pentecost 2002, he invited the EMs up to be around the alter for the Consorcreation since I was first he presented Communion first, when he held up The Pressious Blood to me he said, “The Blood of Christ share it with your Brothers and Sisters!” I said Amen reached out to receive the chalice, tasted wine then I tasted Blood. From my upper lip to my sternum from shoulder to shoulder it was if I had been hit with electrodes it took me three attempts to whisper to the next person, “The Blood of Christ. Much more to thrw story and lives changed, Happy to cut and paste
That was an utterly amazing article about the true presence in the Eucharist.
Thank you, Mary! Please share so more people hear the Lord’s message.
Sorry to have to say this, but I don’t believe the WHO would engage in such a study. It’s not in the scope of work they do. Searching the web indicates that mention of the WHO study is likely an urban legend. I would recommend a check of sources.
This is not to place any doubt in the miracle or the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, just want to make sure we don’t push forward stories that are not supported by reliable sources, much less when we intend to talk about scientific evidence and records.
You make a very good point, Andres! Since the research was long before the internet and the WHO has changed dramatically, the report isn’t readily available, although it is referenced by Zenit, a very reputable organization.
As you say, it’s hardly necessary to reference WHO at all. The scientific evidence of these remarkable miracles stands on its own two feet. Thanks for the valuable feedback.
Hi can you please provide the reference at/by Zenit? I don’t understand how we can “report” scientific findings without a scientific report or paper.
I concur that it would be wonderful to post the actual scientific report and not just excerpts. I have searched the internet but have been unsuccessful in locating any scientific reports which allows critics to discount the miracle.
As a senior medic of over 25 years, it is not common medical practice to report actively on something that we can’t explain scientifically. Papers are written to explain natural events in scientific terms…enough said
Hmmm, señor senior medic I would think that this is definitely not a “common medical practice”. It was probably not performed by a medical either. Your comment is invalid.
Would be cool to look at the UN study, but here is the link to the research on the miracle by Doctor Odoardo Linoli, professor in anatomy and pathological histology as well as chemistry and clinical microscopy, and former head of the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy at the Hospital of Arezzo that was published in Quaderni Sclavo di Diagnostica Clinica e di Laboratori in 1971 showing the same results.
Hopefully, you have taken Italian or might have a hard time reading it.
https://web.archive.org/web/20201007171625/http://handsonapologetics.com/Miracolo%20Euaristico_Eucharistic%20Miracle.PDF
Hi, Mark,
I have since found a video that shows the Italian and English translations of the Lanciano report “Miracle of Lanciano Medical Report by Dr. Linoli” on The Joy of the Faith channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaoaHNhX1pk
I wish I’d never mentioned the WHO. It caused unnecessary controversy for an otherwise well-documented miracle, and is now considered not credible. If Ascension would remove that reference, that would be great.
Hi, Mark,
I have since found a video that shows the Italian and English translations of the Lanciano report “Miracle of Lanciano Medical Report by Dr. Linoli” on The Joy of the Faith channel. It may help with your friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaoaHNhX1pk
I wish I’d never mentioned the WHO. It caused unnecessary controversy for an otherwise well-documented miracle.
Heres the zenith reference
https://zenit.org/2005/05/05/physician-tells-of-eucharistic-miracle-of-lanciano/
You can also find the Italian dudes study but its photographed and in italian… so yeah good luck.
I can’t find a W.H.O. report on this.
Where does this article state that WHO performed any of these studies? I don’t see it.