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We update the announcement (published below) that the Archdiocese of Indianapolis was investigating a possible Eucharistic miracle:
An investigation into a purported Eucharistic miracle in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis revealed that the event had a natural cause and was not miraculous in nature.
Red discoloration reported on the host was a "common bacteria found on all humans," said a statement from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, adding that "no presence of human blood was discovered."
The host had been sent off for testing after the discoloration was discovered. The host had previously accidentally fallen out of a Mass kit.
“The results indicate the presence of fungus and three different species of bacteria, all of which are commonly found on human hands,” said the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
The CCC explains how the Eucharist is Christ
1376 The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."
Original story published March 1 is below:
Last year, Indianapolis hosted the National Eucharistic Revival, and now they’re wondering whether a Eucharistic miracle might have occurred with a consecrated host. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has begun an investigation into a possible Eucharistic miracle at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris, a small town southeast of the city.
Local 12 reports on a parishioner’s claim that the Eucharist visibly took on the appearance of the physical body and blood of Christ. The claim traces back to a post from the Facebook account of Corpus Christi for Unity and Peace, in which a young woman from the parish explained that it began with an accidental dropping of the host.
After being dropped, the host was put in water to dissolve and placed in the tabernacle, only later to be joined by another host that was dropped a few hours later. The following day, when the sacristan opened the tabernacle to prepare for Saturday night Mass, there appeared to be spots of blood present. It was described as “a thin piece of skin with blood on it.”
It is unclear if the image provided in the Facebook post is of the host in question, or a visual aid to illustrate the post. The young woman does claim, however, to have seen it first hand.
According to the report, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has launched an investigation to identify whether or not a Eucharistic miracle has actually occurred. In addition, it has drawn on the expert help of a professional laboratory to analyze the dissolved host, and determine its physical make-up.
Father Jacob DuMont, deputy superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, told Local 12 that, while a Eucharistic miracle would be exciting, it’s too soon to tell if this is the real deal:
"We don't know for sure yet — but if eventually that does come to be, that's a great — something very special. That's a great sign that yes, Christ's living presence is here among us," Father DuMont said.
He also cautioned the faithful not to assume that a Eucharistic miracle occurred, noting that even if the lab’s findings support a miraculous circumstance, it is ultimately up to the Vatican to recognize any Eucharistic miracle.
