November 12, 2025 • 21 mins
We trace how doubt becomes devotion through Eucharistic miracles, from Lanciano and Bolsena-Orvieto to the kneeling mule of Rimini and Saint Clare’s defense of Assisi. We also look at Blessed Carlo Acutis, scientific studies, and the lessons these witnesses offer today.
• theme of doubt transformed by Eucharistic miracles
• mission of Journeys of Faith and invitation to reflect
• Lanciano account and conversion to mission
• Bolsena-Orvieto miracle and birth of Corpus Christi
• Saint Anthony’s mule and public witness
• Saint Clare’s monstrance and protection of her convent
• Blessed Carlo’s digital catalog and modern witness
• Saint Juliana’s vision shaping the liturgical calendar
• scientific analyses at Lanciano and Buenos Aires
• practical lessons for today’s doubters
Be sure to click the link in the description for special news item and since there is more to this article. Finish reading and check out the special offer. Visit journeysoffaith.com website today.
Finish reading this article https://journeysoffaith.com/blogs/news
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
(00:02):
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Fryaldenhoven here at
your service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you.
And also, there's more to thisblog article from doubt to
devotion, saints transformed byEucharistic Miracles.
In every age the church has beengraced with saints, men and
(00:23):
women whose lives radiate themystery of God's love.
Yet even among these holy souls,moments of doubt can bubble up
like ripples disrupting atranquil pond.
It is in these raw, very humanmoments that Christ, in his
infinite mercy, sometimesintervenes in wondrous ways,
ways the church recognizes asEucharistic miracles.
(00:45):
These events where bread andwine become manifestly the body
and blood of Christ havetransformed skeptics into
champions of faith, ignitinghearts with renewed devotion.
At journeys of faith nestledamong the prayerful walls of
Monte Falco and carried forth bythe enduring legacy of Bob and
(01:08):
Penny Lord, we've had theprivilege to walk the paths
where these miracles unfolded.
Our hearts alight with the sameawe and reverence that moved the
saints.
As the evangelization arm of thecloistered Augustinian nuns and
an active lay apostolate, ourmission draws deeply from these
graces, inviting you to journeywith us, to witness how doubt
(01:30):
gave way to devotion in thelives of the saints.
This article is more than justrecounting miraculous stories.
It's an invitation tointrospection and renewal.
Each miracle, eachtransformation beckons us closer
to the heartbeat of the church,the Eucharist.
Let the stories of saintstouched by Eucharistic miracles
(01:54):
inspire your own walk of faith.
May we encounter through theirwitness a loving Christ who
meets us in our questions andcarries us into deeper devotion.
The Lanciano Eucharistic miracleconverting a doubting monk into
a missionary.
Centuries ago in the smallItalian town of Lanciano, a
(02:16):
simple monk's struggle withdoubt became the spark for one
of the most profound Eucharisticmiracles in church history.
The monk, faithful yet quietlywrestling with uncertainty about
the true presence of Christ inthe Eucharist, went about his
priestly duties like countlesspriests before and after him,
but one fateful morning as hepronounced the words of
(02:36):
consecration at mass, this is mybody, this is my blood.
The bread and wine in histrembling hands visibly
transformed, the host becameliving flesh, the wine real
blood.
Stunned and overwhelmed, themonk could not contain his
astonishment.
(02:56):
Before a stunned congregation,the miracle was undeniable.
The mystical reality Catholicsprofess in the Mass had moved
from hidden to revealed, fromsacramental sign to living
signpost.
The monk's doubt melted away inan instant, replaced by a
burning certainty and a bold newfaith.
This personal encounter with themiracle of the Eucharist didn't
(03:19):
simply comfort his heart, itpropelled him to evangelize
others with renewed fervor.
No longer a hidden skeptic, hebecame a public witness, his own
conversion story echoing throughthe medieval streets of Lanciano
and throughout the church.
Today the relics remain visibleproof that the Lord draws near
(03:42):
to his people, especially inmoments of human frailty and
questioning.
The doubting monk became amissionary not because he willed
himself into belief, but becauseJesus met him in his fear and
disbelief, inviting him and allof us deeper into the radiant
mystery of the Eucharist in theheart of thirteenth century
Italy amid the rolling hills ofBalsina, doubt and wonder
(04:05):
converged at the altar of aquiet church.
A German priest wrestling withuncertainty about the real
presence of Christ in theEucharist found himself at the
center of an event that wouldecho through centuries as he
celebrated Mass, hesitation andinward questioning weighed
heavily until at the moment hebroke the consecrated host,
(04:27):
blood began to seep from thebread of life, staining the
white corporal beneath.
News of this Eucharistic miraclestirred the faithful and soon
reached Pope Urban IV, whoresided nearby in Orvieto.
Urban himself a man of deepfaith and keen discernment
recognized the significance ofwhat had transpired.
The bloodstained corporal, thelinen that had soaked up the
(04:50):
miraculous evidence, was broughtto him in procession, the people
awestruck and weeping, bannersfluttering like prayers in the
wind.
For Pope Urban IV, thisunexplainable event did more
than dispel the doubts of asingle priest, it became a sign
for the entire church, God'sloving affirmation of Christ
present in the blessed sacramentthrough prayer and consultation.
(05:12):
Urban was moved not only toenshrine the corporal in
Orvieto's cathedral, where itremains today, but also to give
the church an enduring gift, theFeast of Corpus Christi.
With reverence and care, hecommissioned the theologian and
future saint Thomas Aquinas tocompose the solemn prayers and
hymns that would mark this newfeast.
(05:34):
The faithful now had an annualday dedicated entirely to
adoration, praise, andthanksgiving for the gift of the
Eucharist, the doubts of one'ssoul transformed by miracle,
became the impetus for acelebration that draws millions
each year into deeper devotion.
At its heart is the lingeringmemory of a miracle, not merely
(05:55):
as a sign, but as an ongoinginvitation to trust, adore, and
believe.
Saint Anthony of Padua and theEucharistic Mule Reason Bows to
Real Presence.
Few stories illuminate thestunning power of Eucharistic
miracles, quite like therenowned event involving Saint
Anthony of Padua, a humbleFranciscan friar, cherished for
(06:19):
his preaching and miracles, aslegend recounts.
Saint Anthony frequentlydefended the doctrine of
Christ's true presence in theEucharist, often to skeptics who
demanded a sign.
Among these was a stubbornheretic determined to challenge
Anthony's unwavering convictionwith a public test, and the
skeptic proposed an unthinkabletrial.
(06:40):
His mule would be starved fordays, and then brought before
both a pile of fresh fodder andthe Eucharist exposed by the
saint.
Surely, reason dictated, ananimal driven by hunger would
have no regard for wafer orblessing, only for the
satisfaction of its bodily need.
Yet Anthony graciously accepted,steadfast in faith.
(07:02):
When the day arrived, crowdsgathered, hearts tense and eyes
wide.
The emaciated mule was ledforth, and Saint Anthony knelt
in quiet adoration, holding theblessed sacrament aloft.
With a gesture, he invited themule, creature of God, in the
name of your creator I commandyou to draw near and adore him,
(07:27):
lest the heretics teach men thatirrational creatures have more
knowledge than they.
What followed silence doubts anddropped jaws, the mule, ignoring
the food, bent its knees andbowed its head before the
Eucharist.
Wonder transformed the crowd,and the heretic now on his own
knees, confessed faith inChrist's real presence.
(07:48):
In that moment reason itselfseemed to bow before the
miracle, unable to contain themysteries of divine love.
Saint Antony's encounter withthe Eucharistic mule remains a
living witness to the humilitydemanded by the sacred mystery.
Before the Blessed Sacrament,even pride and skepticism can be
transformed, replaced with awe,humility, and devotion.
(08:11):
Through such miracles, the Lordcalls all hearts back to his
real presence, inviting us tojoin in adoration and to trust
that faith leads us where reasonalone cannot tread.
Saint Clare of Assisi repelsinvaders with the monstrance.
It was the year 1240, and thegentle hills surrounding Assisi
(08:32):
were cast in turmoil.
The poor Claires ensconced intheir convent at San Damiano
found themselves facing aterrifying threat.
Saracen mercenaries sent byEmperor Frederick II advancing
swiftly to storm the monastery'swalls.
The sisters trembled, theirprayers rising desperately into
the echoing halls.
Yet at the heart of the fearstood Clare, small in stature
(08:54):
but unwavering in faith.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, digitalapostle of Eucharistic miracles,
raised in a world of technologyyet rooted in a timeless love
for the Eucharist, blessed CarloAcutis stands out as a striking
witness for our times.
From an early age, Carlo wasdrawn not only to prayer daily
(09:16):
mass and devotion to our lady,but also to the captivating
power of computers and theinternet.
Unlike so many of his peerswhose digital lives kept them
tethered to the world, Carlo'sheart was set ablaze by the
desire to make Christ known.
He recognized the Internet'svast potential as a tool for
(09:39):
evangelization.
Seeing indifference even amongCatholics toward the profound
mystery of the real presence,Carlo set out to create an
online catalog of Eucharisticmiracles from around the globe.
Line by line with prayerfuldiligence and technical skill,
Carlo compiled stories,photographs, documents, and
(10:00):
maps, making centuries ofmiraculous encounters with Jesus
in the Eucharist available atthe click of a button.
He once remarked, The Eucharistis my highway to heaven.
For Carlo, true faith revolvedaround this central mystery.
Carlo's efforts were not justabout information, they were
personal testimony.
(10:21):
Through his website, classroompresentations, and everyday
kindness, he inspired countlessothers to rediscover the miracle
at the heart of the Catholicfaith.
Even in his suffering, diagnosedwith leukemia at just fifteen,
he offered his pain for theChurch and the Pope, never
wavering in his devotion to theBlessed Sacrament.
(10:43):
With his beatification, Carlooffers modern Catholics,
especially young people, a newimage of sanctity, jeans and
sneakers, game console at hisside, rosary in his pocket, his
apostolate reminds us thatholiness is possible in every
age, and that a burning love forthe Eucharist can transform both
the doubter and the devoted,inviting all to encounter the
(11:06):
living Christ anew.
Claire called for themonstrance, the sacred vessel
containing the consecratedEucharist.
Though physically weak andgravely ill, she mustered her
strength and with quietauthority she approached the
heavy doors.
Kneeling before her Lord in theBlessed Sacrament, Claire lifted
the monstrance high, her faceaglow with trust and devotion.
(11:29):
She pleaded, O Lord, protectyour handmaids, I beg you, do
not let these men harm yourbeloved daughters.
According to tradition, whathappened next was nothing short
of miraculous, a sign that thereal presence in the Eucharist
is no mere doctrine, but aliving reality.
As the mercenaries scaled theconvent's outer walls, they were
(11:53):
suddenly seized by anunexplainable fear.
Some accounts say a blindingradiance emanated from the
monstrance itself, forcing theinvaders to stumble back,
overcome by reverence andconfusion.
Panic swept through their ranks,and the mercenaries retreated,
their assault halted not byblades or barricades, but by the
(12:15):
hidden power of Christ in theEucharist.
For the sisters that day becamean indelible testament.
The Eucharist is a living signof God's love and protection.
Saint Clair's trust forged inthe crucible of danger, became a
beacon for those who strugglewith fear, doubt, or
uncertainty.
Her witness draws us to a deeperawe before the mystery of the
(12:38):
Eucharist, a reminder that inour most desperate hours the
Lord who made himself present onthe altar remains our shield and
strength.
Saint Juliana of Liege, a visionthat changed the liturgical
calendar.
Deep within the quiet cloistersof thirteenth century Belgium, a
young nun was entrusted with avision so radiant it would one
(13:01):
day change the rhythm of theuniversal church.
Saint Juliana of Liege, orphanedin childhood and drawn to
contemplative prayer, foundherself often longing for a
greater veneration of theEucharist.
From her earliest years in theNorbertine convent, her soul
seemed attuned to the mystery ofChrist's presence in the blessed
sacrament.
(13:21):
It was while kneeling in prayerthat Juliana began to experience
remarkable visions, a luminousmoon, shimmering yet marked with
a single dark stripe.
The symbolism weighed on herheart, and after years of
discernment and spiritualdirection, she understood its
divine meaning.
The moon, whole and beautiful,symbolized the church's calendar
(13:43):
of feasts.
The dark line represented theabsence of a feast dedicated
solely to the body and blood ofChrist.
Juliana's humility did not keepher from sharing this divine
prompting.
Urged by the Holy Spirit, sheconfided her visions first to
her confessor, then to localtheologians and ecclesiastical
(14:04):
authorities.
Some met her with skepticism,but the authenticity of her
devotion and the sincerity ofher longing for the Eucharist
drew others to her cause and herperseverance bore fruit.
The Bishop of Liege institutedthe feast locally, and years
later her secret confessor wouldascend to the papacy as Urban
(14:25):
IV.
Acting on her inspiration, heestablished the feast of Corpus
Christi for the entire CatholicChurch, implanting in the
heartbeat of Catholic life a daywhen the miracle of the
Eucharist would be adored withspecial solemnity.
Saint Juliana's journeydemonstrates how receptive
(14:46):
hearts can become instruments ofprofound transformation.
Through her unwavering love forthe Blessed Sacrament and
fidelity to God's whisperings,the church now celebrates the
real presence with a grace andjoy that draws millions closer
to the Eucharistic Lord, anenduring legacy born from
silence, seen in visions, andfulfilled in the life of faith.
(15:10):
Modern scientific findings thatconfirm ancient faith.
For centuries, Eucharisticmiracles were received with awe
and faith, often described inthe humble language of wonder, a
bleeding host, a transformationof bread into visible flesh or
wine into blood.
In our scientific era, thesesame miracles have been
(15:31):
subjected to the tools andscrutiny of modern
investigation, yielding findingsthat have left even skeptics
astonished and the faithfulnewly emboldened.
One of the most remarkable casesis the Eucharistic miracle of
Lanciano, Italy, dating back tothe eighth century.
When scientists examined thepreserved host and coagulated
(15:53):
blood in the 1970s, theirfindings startled the world.
The host consisted of humanheart tissue, specifically the
myocardium, and the coagulatedblood matched the properties of
real living blood, including thesame AB blood type found on the
Shroud of Turin.
(16:14):
These results, corroborated byindependent experts, were
achieved using techniques notavailable at the time the
miracle occurred.
Similarly, in Buenos Aires inthe 1990s, a host was found
transformed into a fragment ofhuman tissue.
A team led by Dr.
Ricardo Castañon Gomez submittedsamples for rigorous
(16:38):
histological and geneticanalysis.
Once again, the results wereinexplicable by natural means.
The tissue was found to beliving heart tissue from a
person suffering great stress,injuries consistent with what
Christ endured during hispassion.
The DNA typing matched AB, andthe cells were astonishingly
(17:01):
living even years after theoriginal event, resisting decay
in a way science could notexplain.
These carefully documentedfindings have done more than
intrigue scientists andtheologians.
They serve as tangible remindersto the faithful that the
mysteries we celebrate are notmere symbolism, but spiritual
(17:22):
realities with physicalmanifestations.
As technology advances, thealignment between these
miraculous occurrences and thetruths handed down through
tradition continues to inspireawe, stirring the hearts of
modern believers to deeperdevotion and gratitude for the
profound gift of the Eucharist.
(17:43):
Lessons for today's doubtersfrom Eucharistic Saints.
Even saints have walked throughseasons of doubt, grappling with
fears, questions, and momentswhen the Eucharist seemed
distant or mysterious.
Their journeys remind us thatfaith is not a static
possession, but a living,unfolding relationship with
Christ, one that is frequentlyreignited by the wonders God
(18:05):
works in our midst.
Think of Saint Thomas Aquinas,who, despite his profound
theological intellect, kneltbefore the Blessed Sacrament,
seeking not just answers buttrue encounter.
When doubts and distractionsassault us during Mass, Thomas's
humility teaches us to bring ourquestions to Jesus, surrendering
(18:27):
our intellect in adoration andinviting him to strengthen our
weak faith.
Consider Saint Claire of Assisi,whose unwavering confidence in
the real presence transformednot only her own heart but her
entire convent.
During a moment of grave peril,with Saracen invaders at her
doorstep, Claire lifted theEucharist high from her window.
(18:49):
Her trust was not naive, it wasforged through prayer and
encounter.
For those who feel powerless oranxious about the world's
uncertainty, Claire's example isan invitation to anchor our
hearts in Christ's abidingpresence, especially through
time spent in adoration.
Saint Anthony of Paduaconfronted skepticism with both
gentleness and conviction.
(19:11):
In the famous miracle of themule of Rimini, Anthony placed
the Eucharist before the animalto silence a heretic's doubts.
The humble mule knelt,testifying silently to Christ's
real presence.
Anthony's courage in facingdoubt not with harsh debate, but
with loving confidence, beckonsus to respond to cynicism and
(19:33):
indifference with steadfastfaith and charity, even when no
argument seems sufficient.
Finally, the humble peasantblessed Alexandrina de Costa
lived decades nourished solelyby the Eucharist, her suffering
and steadfastness offer a signfor all who wonder if God is
truly enough in times ofdeprivation or emptiness.
(19:55):
In her silent endurance,Alexandrina invites today's
Catholics to draw strength fromfrequent reception of communion
and to lean on Jesus, especiallyin seasons of spiritual dryness.
These Eucharistic saints show usthat doubt, when met with
humility and perseverance, canbecome a doorway to deeper
devotion.
(20:15):
They remind us that Christ nevershames our questions, but
invites us again and again intothe mystery and mercy of his
Eucharistic love.
And thank you, family, forlistening to Super Saints
Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
item and since there is more tothis article.
(20:36):
Finish reading and check out thespecial offer.
Visit journeysoffaith.comwebsite today.
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
(00:02):
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Fryaldenhoven here at
your service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you.
And also, there's more to thisblog article from doubt to
devotion, saints transformed byEucharistic Miracles.
In every age the church has beengraced with saints, men and
(00:23):
women whose lives radiate themystery of God's love.
Yet even among these holy souls,moments of doubt can bubble up
like ripples disrupting atranquil pond.
It is in these raw, very humanmoments that Christ, in his
infinite mercy, sometimesintervenes in wondrous ways,
ways the church recognizes asEucharistic miracles.
(00:45):
These events where bread andwine become manifestly the body
and blood of Christ havetransformed skeptics into
champions of faith, ignitinghearts with renewed devotion.
At journeys of faith nestledamong the prayerful walls of
Monte Falco and carried forth bythe enduring legacy of Bob and
(01:08):
Penny Lord, we've had theprivilege to walk the paths
where these miracles unfolded.
Our hearts alight with the sameawe and reverence that moved the
saints.
As the evangelization arm of thecloistered Augustinian nuns and
an active lay apostolate, ourmission draws deeply from these
graces, inviting you to journeywith us, to witness how doubt
(01:30):
gave way to devotion in thelives of the saints.
This article is more than justrecounting miraculous stories.
It's an invitation tointrospection and renewal.
Each miracle, eachtransformation beckons us closer
to the heartbeat of the church,the Eucharist.
Let the stories of saintstouched by Eucharistic miracles
(01:54):
inspire your own walk of faith.
May we encounter through theirwitness a loving Christ who
meets us in our questions andcarries us into deeper devotion.
The Lanciano Eucharistic miracleconverting a doubting monk into
a missionary.
Centuries ago in the smallItalian town of Lanciano, a
(02:16):
simple monk's struggle withdoubt became the spark for one
of the most profound Eucharisticmiracles in church history.
The monk, faithful yet quietlywrestling with uncertainty about
the true presence of Christ inthe Eucharist, went about his
priestly duties like countlesspriests before and after him,
but one fateful morning as hepronounced the words of
(02:36):
consecration at mass, this is mybody, this is my blood.
The bread and wine in histrembling hands visibly
transformed, the host becameliving flesh, the wine real
blood.
Stunned and overwhelmed, themonk could not contain his
astonishment.
(02:56):
Before a stunned congregation,the miracle was undeniable.
The mystical reality Catholicsprofess in the Mass had moved
from hidden to revealed, fromsacramental sign to living
signpost.
The monk's doubt melted away inan instant, replaced by a
burning certainty and a bold newfaith.
This personal encounter with themiracle of the Eucharist didn't
(03:19):
simply comfort his heart, itpropelled him to evangelize
others with renewed fervor.
No longer a hidden skeptic, hebecame a public witness, his own
conversion story echoing throughthe medieval streets of Lanciano
and throughout the church.
Today the relics remain visibleproof that the Lord draws near
(03:42):
to his people, especially inmoments of human frailty and
questioning.
The doubting monk became amissionary not because he willed
himself into belief, but becauseJesus met him in his fear and
disbelief, inviting him and allof us deeper into the radiant
mystery of the Eucharist in theheart of thirteenth century
Italy amid the rolling hills ofBalsina, doubt and wonder
(04:05):
converged at the altar of aquiet church.
A German priest wrestling withuncertainty about the real
presence of Christ in theEucharist found himself at the
center of an event that wouldecho through centuries as he
celebrated Mass, hesitation andinward questioning weighed
heavily until at the moment hebroke the consecrated host,
(04:27):
blood began to seep from thebread of life, staining the
white corporal beneath.
News of this Eucharistic miraclestirred the faithful and soon
reached Pope Urban IV, whoresided nearby in Orvieto.
Urban himself a man of deepfaith and keen discernment
recognized the significance ofwhat had transpired.
The bloodstained corporal, thelinen that had soaked up the
(04:50):
miraculous evidence, was broughtto him in procession, the people
awestruck and weeping, bannersfluttering like prayers in the
wind.
For Pope Urban IV, thisunexplainable event did more
than dispel the doubts of asingle priest, it became a sign
for the entire church, God'sloving affirmation of Christ
present in the blessed sacramentthrough prayer and consultation.
(05:12):
Urban was moved not only toenshrine the corporal in
Orvieto's cathedral, where itremains today, but also to give
the church an enduring gift, theFeast of Corpus Christi.
With reverence and care, hecommissioned the theologian and
future saint Thomas Aquinas tocompose the solemn prayers and
hymns that would mark this newfeast.
(05:34):
The faithful now had an annualday dedicated entirely to
adoration, praise, andthanksgiving for the gift of the
Eucharist, the doubts of one'ssoul transformed by miracle,
became the impetus for acelebration that draws millions
each year into deeper devotion.
At its heart is the lingeringmemory of a miracle, not merely
(05:55):
as a sign, but as an ongoinginvitation to trust, adore, and
believe.
Saint Anthony of Padua and theEucharistic Mule Reason Bows to
Real Presence.
Few stories illuminate thestunning power of Eucharistic
miracles, quite like therenowned event involving Saint
Anthony of Padua, a humbleFranciscan friar, cherished for
(06:19):
his preaching and miracles, aslegend recounts.
Saint Anthony frequentlydefended the doctrine of
Christ's true presence in theEucharist, often to skeptics who
demanded a sign.
Among these was a stubbornheretic determined to challenge
Anthony's unwavering convictionwith a public test, and the
skeptic proposed an unthinkabletrial.
(06:40):
His mule would be starved fordays, and then brought before
both a pile of fresh fodder andthe Eucharist exposed by the
saint.
Surely, reason dictated, ananimal driven by hunger would
have no regard for wafer orblessing, only for the
satisfaction of its bodily need.
Yet Anthony graciously accepted,steadfast in faith.
(07:02):
When the day arrived, crowdsgathered, hearts tense and eyes
wide.
The emaciated mule was ledforth, and Saint Anthony knelt
in quiet adoration, holding theblessed sacrament aloft.
With a gesture, he invited themule, creature of God, in the
name of your creator I commandyou to draw near and adore him,
(07:27):
lest the heretics teach men thatirrational creatures have more
knowledge than they.
What followed silence doubts anddropped jaws, the mule, ignoring
the food, bent its knees andbowed its head before the
Eucharist.
Wonder transformed the crowd,and the heretic now on his own
knees, confessed faith inChrist's real presence.
(07:48):
In that moment reason itselfseemed to bow before the
miracle, unable to contain themysteries of divine love.
Saint Antony's encounter withthe Eucharistic mule remains a
living witness to the humilitydemanded by the sacred mystery.
Before the Blessed Sacrament,even pride and skepticism can be
transformed, replaced with awe,humility, and devotion.
(08:11):
Through such miracles, the Lordcalls all hearts back to his
real presence, inviting us tojoin in adoration and to trust
that faith leads us where reasonalone cannot tread.
Saint Clare of Assisi repelsinvaders with the monstrance.
It was the year 1240, and thegentle hills surrounding Assisi
(08:32):
were cast in turmoil.
The poor Claires ensconced intheir convent at San Damiano
found themselves facing aterrifying threat.
Saracen mercenaries sent byEmperor Frederick II advancing
swiftly to storm the monastery'swalls.
The sisters trembled, theirprayers rising desperately into
the echoing halls.
Yet at the heart of the fearstood Clare, small in stature
(08:54):
but unwavering in faith.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, digitalapostle of Eucharistic miracles,
raised in a world of technologyyet rooted in a timeless love
for the Eucharist, blessed CarloAcutis stands out as a striking
witness for our times.
From an early age, Carlo wasdrawn not only to prayer daily
(09:16):
mass and devotion to our lady,but also to the captivating
power of computers and theinternet.
Unlike so many of his peerswhose digital lives kept them
tethered to the world, Carlo'sheart was set ablaze by the
desire to make Christ known.
He recognized the Internet'svast potential as a tool for
(09:39):
evangelization.
Seeing indifference even amongCatholics toward the profound
mystery of the real presence,Carlo set out to create an
online catalog of Eucharisticmiracles from around the globe.
Line by line with prayerfuldiligence and technical skill,
Carlo compiled stories,photographs, documents, and
(10:00):
maps, making centuries ofmiraculous encounters with Jesus
in the Eucharist available atthe click of a button.
He once remarked, The Eucharistis my highway to heaven.
For Carlo, true faith revolvedaround this central mystery.
Carlo's efforts were not justabout information, they were
personal testimony.
(10:21):
Through his website, classroompresentations, and everyday
kindness, he inspired countlessothers to rediscover the miracle
at the heart of the Catholicfaith.
Even in his suffering, diagnosedwith leukemia at just fifteen,
he offered his pain for theChurch and the Pope, never
wavering in his devotion to theBlessed Sacrament.
(10:43):
With his beatification, Carlooffers modern Catholics,
especially young people, a newimage of sanctity, jeans and
sneakers, game console at hisside, rosary in his pocket, his
apostolate reminds us thatholiness is possible in every
age, and that a burning love forthe Eucharist can transform both
the doubter and the devoted,inviting all to encounter the
(11:06):
living Christ anew.
Claire called for themonstrance, the sacred vessel
containing the consecratedEucharist.
Though physically weak andgravely ill, she mustered her
strength and with quietauthority she approached the
heavy doors.
Kneeling before her Lord in theBlessed Sacrament, Claire lifted
the monstrance high, her faceaglow with trust and devotion.
(11:29):
She pleaded, O Lord, protectyour handmaids, I beg you, do
not let these men harm yourbeloved daughters.
According to tradition, whathappened next was nothing short
of miraculous, a sign that thereal presence in the Eucharist
is no mere doctrine, but aliving reality.
As the mercenaries scaled theconvent's outer walls, they were
(11:53):
suddenly seized by anunexplainable fear.
Some accounts say a blindingradiance emanated from the
monstrance itself, forcing theinvaders to stumble back,
overcome by reverence andconfusion.
Panic swept through their ranks,and the mercenaries retreated,
their assault halted not byblades or barricades, but by the
(12:15):
hidden power of Christ in theEucharist.
For the sisters that day becamean indelible testament.
The Eucharist is a living signof God's love and protection.
Saint Clair's trust forged inthe crucible of danger, became a
beacon for those who strugglewith fear, doubt, or
uncertainty.
Her witness draws us to a deeperawe before the mystery of the
(12:38):
Eucharist, a reminder that inour most desperate hours the
Lord who made himself present onthe altar remains our shield and
strength.
Saint Juliana of Liege, a visionthat changed the liturgical
calendar.
Deep within the quiet cloistersof thirteenth century Belgium, a
young nun was entrusted with avision so radiant it would one
(13:01):
day change the rhythm of theuniversal church.
Saint Juliana of Liege, orphanedin childhood and drawn to
contemplative prayer, foundherself often longing for a
greater veneration of theEucharist.
From her earliest years in theNorbertine convent, her soul
seemed attuned to the mystery ofChrist's presence in the blessed
sacrament.
(13:21):
It was while kneeling in prayerthat Juliana began to experience
remarkable visions, a luminousmoon, shimmering yet marked with
a single dark stripe.
The symbolism weighed on herheart, and after years of
discernment and spiritualdirection, she understood its
divine meaning.
The moon, whole and beautiful,symbolized the church's calendar
(13:43):
of feasts.
The dark line represented theabsence of a feast dedicated
solely to the body and blood ofChrist.
Juliana's humility did not keepher from sharing this divine
prompting.
Urged by the Holy Spirit, sheconfided her visions first to
her confessor, then to localtheologians and ecclesiastical
(14:04):
authorities.
Some met her with skepticism,but the authenticity of her
devotion and the sincerity ofher longing for the Eucharist
drew others to her cause and herperseverance bore fruit.
The Bishop of Liege institutedthe feast locally, and years
later her secret confessor wouldascend to the papacy as Urban
(14:25):
IV.
Acting on her inspiration, heestablished the feast of Corpus
Christi for the entire CatholicChurch, implanting in the
heartbeat of Catholic life a daywhen the miracle of the
Eucharist would be adored withspecial solemnity.
Saint Juliana's journeydemonstrates how receptive
(14:46):
hearts can become instruments ofprofound transformation.
Through her unwavering love forthe Blessed Sacrament and
fidelity to God's whisperings,the church now celebrates the
real presence with a grace andjoy that draws millions closer
to the Eucharistic Lord, anenduring legacy born from
silence, seen in visions, andfulfilled in the life of faith.
(15:10):
Modern scientific findings thatconfirm ancient faith.
For centuries, Eucharisticmiracles were received with awe
and faith, often described inthe humble language of wonder, a
bleeding host, a transformationof bread into visible flesh or
wine into blood.
In our scientific era, thesesame miracles have been
(15:31):
subjected to the tools andscrutiny of modern
investigation, yielding findingsthat have left even skeptics
astonished and the faithfulnewly emboldened.
One of the most remarkable casesis the Eucharistic miracle of
Lanciano, Italy, dating back tothe eighth century.
When scientists examined thepreserved host and coagulated
(15:53):
blood in the 1970s, theirfindings startled the world.
The host consisted of humanheart tissue, specifically the
myocardium, and the coagulatedblood matched the properties of
real living blood, including thesame AB blood type found on the
Shroud of Turin.
(16:14):
These results, corroborated byindependent experts, were
achieved using techniques notavailable at the time the
miracle occurred.
Similarly, in Buenos Aires inthe 1990s, a host was found
transformed into a fragment ofhuman tissue.
A team led by Dr.
Ricardo Castañon Gomez submittedsamples for rigorous
(16:38):
histological and geneticanalysis.
Once again, the results wereinexplicable by natural means.
The tissue was found to beliving heart tissue from a
person suffering great stress,injuries consistent with what
Christ endured during hispassion.
The DNA typing matched AB, andthe cells were astonishingly
(17:01):
living even years after theoriginal event, resisting decay
in a way science could notexplain.
These carefully documentedfindings have done more than
intrigue scientists andtheologians.
They serve as tangible remindersto the faithful that the
mysteries we celebrate are notmere symbolism, but spiritual
(17:22):
realities with physicalmanifestations.
As technology advances, thealignment between these
miraculous occurrences and thetruths handed down through
tradition continues to inspireawe, stirring the hearts of
modern believers to deeperdevotion and gratitude for the
profound gift of the Eucharist.
(17:43):
Lessons for today's doubtersfrom Eucharistic Saints.
Even saints have walked throughseasons of doubt, grappling with
fears, questions, and momentswhen the Eucharist seemed
distant or mysterious.
Their journeys remind us thatfaith is not a static
possession, but a living,unfolding relationship with
Christ, one that is frequentlyreignited by the wonders God
(18:05):
works in our midst.
Think of Saint Thomas Aquinas,who, despite his profound
theological intellect, kneltbefore the Blessed Sacrament,
seeking not just answers buttrue encounter.
When doubts and distractionsassault us during Mass, Thomas's
humility teaches us to bring ourquestions to Jesus, surrendering
(18:27):
our intellect in adoration andinviting him to strengthen our
weak faith.
Consider Saint Claire of Assisi,whose unwavering confidence in
the real presence transformednot only her own heart but her
entire convent.
During a moment of grave peril,with Saracen invaders at her
doorstep, Claire lifted theEucharist high from her window.
(18:49):
Her trust was not naive, it wasforged through prayer and
encounter.
For those who feel powerless oranxious about the world's
uncertainty, Claire's example isan invitation to anchor our
hearts in Christ's abidingpresence, especially through
time spent in adoration.
Saint Anthony of Paduaconfronted skepticism with both
gentleness and conviction.
(19:11):
In the famous miracle of themule of Rimini, Anthony placed
the Eucharist before the animalto silence a heretic's doubts.
The humble mule knelt,testifying silently to Christ's
real presence.
Anthony's courage in facingdoubt not with harsh debate, but
with loving confidence, beckonsus to respond to cynicism and
(19:33):
indifference with steadfastfaith and charity, even when no
argument seems sufficient.
Finally, the humble peasantblessed Alexandrina de Costa
lived decades nourished solelyby the Eucharist, her suffering
and steadfastness offer a signfor all who wonder if God is
truly enough in times ofdeprivation or emptiness.
(19:55):
In her silent endurance,Alexandrina invites today's
Catholics to draw strength fromfrequent reception of communion
and to lean on Jesus, especiallyin seasons of spiritual dryness.
These Eucharistic saints show usthat doubt, when met with
humility and perseverance, canbecome a doorway to deeper
devotion.
(20:15):
They remind us that Christ nevershames our questions, but
invites us again and again intothe mystery and mercy of his
Eucharistic love.
And thank you, family, forlistening to Super Saints
Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
item and since there is more tothis article.
(20:36):
Finish reading and check out thespecial offer.
Visit journeysoffaith.comwebsite today.
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