The Holy Eucharist is not just a symbol — it is the real presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ among us. The Church reminds us that “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Every time we participate in Holy Mass, we are invited into a living and personal encounter with Jesus, truly present — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity — in the Blessed Sacrament.
Throughout history, God has worked miracles to strengthen our faith in the Real Presence. These miraculous signs are reminders that Jesus continues to be with His people and calls us to have a deeper relationship with Him.
🌿 Miracle of Lanciano – Strengthening Our Faith
The first Eucharistic miracle formally recognised by the Church took place in the 8th century in Lanciano, Italy. A Basilian monk, struggling with doubts about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, was celebrating Holy Mass in the church of St. Legontian. During consecration, as he pronounced the sacred words: “This is my Body… This is my Blood”, something extraordinary occurred — the host visibly changed into living flesh and the wine into actual blood.
Soon after, the blood coagulated into five irregularly shaped globules, symbolising the five wounds of Christ. These sacred relics were preserved and venerated by the faithful, becoming a source of deep devotion and renewed faith.
Spiritual Meaning
Today, the miracle is enshrined in the Church of San Francesco, Lanciano, Italy, where pilgrims from around the world come to venerate it. The flesh is displayed in an ornate silver monstrance, and the blood globules are preserved in a rock crystal chalice. A majestic dark veil recalls the Temple veil of Jerusalem — once separating humanity from the Holy of Holies — now torn open through Christ, who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist.
For over 1,200 years, Lanciano has proclaimed the same truth: Christ is alive, Christ is present, and Christ gives Himself completely for His people.
Altar where the miracle happened
🌟 A Recent Sign in Our Own Land — Vilakannur (Kerala)
In our own time, God continues to reveal His loving presence. On 15 November 2013, in Christ the King Church, Vilakannur (Archdiocese of Tellicherry), something extraordinary occurred during a regular morning Mass celebrated by Fr. Thomas Pathickal. As he elevated the large host at consecration, a mysterious spot appeared. As the Mass progressed, the spot grew brighter and gradually revealed what seemed to be the Holy Face of Jesus Christ on the glass panel of the main altar. The face resembled both the suffering and merciful face of Christ. Even after adjusting the lights, the image remained clear and striking.
On 21 September 2018, Archbishop Mar George Njaralakatt solemnly placed this Eucharistic sign for veneration in the side altar of Christ the King Church, Vilakannur. Since then, countless faithful have testified to blessings received through prayer before the relic.
This is not merely a story to inspire us — it is a call to return to Jesus, to adore Him, and to recognise that He is truly among us.
A Call to All the Faithful
Dear friends, every Holy Mass itself is a miracle. Every time we come before the Blessed Sacrament, we meet Jesus Christ face-to-face. These Eucharistic signs — from Lanciano to Vilakannur — are not meant to replace faith, but to strengthen it, reminding us that the Lord is always with His Church.
Let us:
- Attend Holy Mass with devotion and love, never casually but with reverence.
- Encourage our youth to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, teaching them that true.
Happiness flows from His presence.
- Participate faithfully in parish vigils, adorations and First Saturday devotions.
- Come with a thirst for Jesus, ready to meet Him personally in the Sacrament of His love.
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let’s kneel before the Lord who made us” (Ps 95:6).
Together, let us strengthen our faith and lovingly proclaim with St. Thomas:
“My Lord and My God!”