A bleeding host in Argentina? Bishop investigates alleged Eucharistic miracle

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Apr 12, 2017 / 23:43 pm

A bishop in the Argentine province in Santa Fe is investigating a Eucharistic host that appeared to bleed during adoration at a drug rehabilitation home.

Bishop Luis Fernandez of the Rafaela diocese announced that an investigation will be carried out to examine what took place earlier this week, when a group of young people were in Eucharistic adoration and saw a substance in the consecrated host that appeared to be blood.

On April 11, Tuesday of Holy Week, 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."

According to the AICA news agency, when he learned what happened, Bishop Fernandez and Fr. Alcides Suppo went to the site.

The bishop was the one who removed the host from the location in order to proceed with the investigation.

A statement from the Diocese of Rafaela notes that "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."

Therefore, the text states, "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," the statement emphasized.

Once the investigation is concluded, its conclusions will be known, the diocese said.

"Meanwhile, prudence and respect are recommended for the case, the place, the persons who witnessed such an event, especially taking into account that this is a place that requires silence and sobriety as an important part of the process of those who live and work there."