Legnica, Poland, Apr 18, 2016 / 13:59 pm
A bleeding Host that "has the hallmarks of a Eucharistic miracle" was approved for veneration in Poland over the weekend.
The announcement was made by Bishop Zbigniew Kiernikowski of Legnica on April 17.
On Christmas Day 2013, a consecrated Host fell to the floor, the bishop said. It was picked up and placed in a container with water. Soon after, red stains appeared on the host.
Then-Bishop of Legnica, Stefan Cichy, created a commission to monitor the host. In February 2014, a small fragment was placed on a corporal and underwent testing by various research institutes.
The final medical statement by the Department of Forensic Medicine found: "In the histopathological image, the fragments were found containing the fragmented parts of the cross striated muscle. It is most similar to the heart muscle." Tests also determined the tissue to be of human origin, and found that it bore signs of distress.
Saying that the Host "has the hallmarks of a Eucharistic miracle," Bishop Kiernikowski explained that in January 2016 he presented the matter to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In April, in accordance with the Holy See's recommendations, he asked parish priest Andrzej Ziombrze "to prepare a suitable place for the Relics so that the faithful could venerate it."