Eucharistic miracle events at St. Jude continue Nov. 22-24
A eucharistic miracle of the world exhibit will continue Friday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Nov. 24, at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes.
A eucharistic miracle is a supernatural event by which the bread and wine consecrated at a Catholic Mass are shown, as Catholics believe, to be the real body and blood of Jesus Christ, not just symbols. The miracle can occur when the bread and wine become physically observable as actual flesh and blood, or, for instance, when a sacred host levitates or glows.
Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, put together in his last days a collection of images and texts representing some 150 church-authenticated eucharistic miracles. A recent poll conducted by the PEW Research Center indicates that only 31 percent of those who identify as Catholic believe that Jesus is really, not just symbolically, present in the eucharist. Carlo, whose cause for sainthood is well underway, wanted all Catholics and everyone to see that the consecrated bread and wine at the holy sacrifice of the mass are in fact, and remain thereafter, the very body and blood, soul and divinity, of Jesus Christ. So far, there have been more than 3,000 showings of this display worldwide.
Among the miracles included in this exhibit, for example, is that of Lanciano, Italy, in 750 AD: A parish priest, struggling with doubt about the real presence of Jesus in the eucharist, as he pronounced at mass the words, “This is my body...this my blood,” saw the consecrated bread and wine manifest as actual flesh and blood, the true presence of Jesus Christ. In 1992 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a sacred host turned into bleeding flesh, which upon scientific analysis proved to be the tissue of a living human heart.
This Vatican-approved virtual experience includes almost 200 large posters with vivid images and explanations. Viewing hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22 and 23; and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24. A benediction of the blessed sacrament will be given at 2 p.m., Nov. 24.
All are welcome. There will be no admission charge, but freewill offerings will be taken in support of the sponsoring organization, The Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association.
