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's doubt about Jesus' Real Presence in the Eucharist.
In Lanciano, Southern Italy, a priest who had little faith was celebrating Mass. When he said the words of consecration, “This is My Body”, the Host turned into flesh. When he said over the wine, “This is My Blood”, it changed into blood.
He was shocked. He invited the people to come and see. They, too, were shocked and praised God for the miracle.
This miracle is the oldest Eucharistic Miracle we have. It happened over 1300 years ago, and we can see the Flesh and Blood today in Lanciano.
In 1978 tests were done on the Flesh and Blood with the most modern scientific equipment and here are the results:
The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart (the myocardium).
The Flesh and Blood belong to the human species.
The Flesh and Blood have the same blood type (AB).
If we cut ourselves and blood flows, the chemical properties of the blood are gone in 20-30 minutes. This blood is 1300 years old and still has all the properties of freshly shed blood.
Also, tests have shown that no preservatives of any kind were used in the Blood.
This miracle shows us:
Jesus keeps His promises that He would give us His Flesh to eat and His Blood to drink (John 6:48-59).
At every Mass, for the last 2,000 years, when the priest says the words of consecration (this is My Body and this is My Blood) the bread and wine are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity of Jesus Christ. All Christians believed this miracle happens at Mass for the first 1,500 years until the Protestant Reformation.
The red blood cells in fresh blood bread down over time (24 to 48 hours) without refrigeration.
Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association 718 Liberty Lane Lombard, IL 60148 Phone: 815-254-4420 Contact Us Internet: www.therealpresence.org
or Carol J. Seydel The Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association Phone: 815-609-7331 - [email protected] - http://www.therealpresence.org