It was almost precisely one year ago that a bishop in Poland announced that a Eucharistic phenomenon could be called miraculous:
Sometimes, yes, the supposed “bleeding host” will prove, upon examination, to be mere red bread mold. But sometimes, a “bleeding host” is put under the microscope and through the tests and it’s discovered to be human cardiac tissue.
The forensic report read, “In the histopathological image, the fragments of tissue have been found containing the fragmented parts of the cross striated muscle. (…) The whole (…) is most similar to the heart muscle with alterations that often appear during the agony. The genetic researches indicate the human origin of the tissue.”
Now, comes news from Argentina about the possibilities of another Eucharistic phenomenon that will require investigation: on April 11 — Tuesday in Holy Week — a Consecrated Host appeared to start bleeding during Eucharistic Adoration at a addiction rehab facility:
The supposed phenomenon took place in a rehabilitation centre for addicts in the city of Rafaela, in the north-central Argentina province of Santa Fe while the residents were praying. Juan Ternengo, coordinator of San Miguel house, said that there was a ‘deep red color, coming out of the host, while the young people were singing and praying.’ Residents in the centre began to cry and pray when they saw the bread apparently bleeding. Shortly afterwards a priest, Alcides Suppo, and bishop Luis Fernandez arrived and decided to take the bread away to investigate it.
From another report: “…a group of young people were praying before the Blessed Sacrament at the San Miguel drug rehabilitation home in the Guemes neighborhood, when they noticed a change in the Eucharist.
Juan Ternengo, coordinator of San Miguel house, said that there was a “deep red color, coming out of the host, while the young people were singing and praying.”
A statement issued by the Diocese of Rafaela reads in part:
“…the Church in these cases and other similar ones asks that with prudence and moderation, the event be judged with the aim of shedding light and making certain what occurred.” “Throughout history, the Church has received the testimony of the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, in this unique form of manifestation. These cases have been neither common nor simple to discern. …following the procedure recommended by the Church, the Body of Christ, our bishop has removed the host in question from public exposition, reserving it in an appropriate manner. In this way, the path of necessary discernment is begun so that at the proper time, the right conclusions are reached.” “Whatever the outcome of such an investigation may be, we must use this time to renew our faith and devotion to the greatest miracle, the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in each celebration of the Mass.”
Urging prudence, the diocese concluded that when a conclusion as to the nature of this phenomenon had been reached, it would be shared with the faithful.
Prudence is always wise in these matters, but it would be wonderful to think that on a day leading into Holy Week, people in need of hope and strength and love might have been given such a gift.
And today we celebrate...