INTRODUCTIONS
PRESENTATION OF THE FIRST EDITION ITALIAN
Preoccupation with a spiritual, cultural and humanistic value encouraged us to entrust to professor Bruno Sammaciccia the compilation and the drafting of a volume intended to illustrate the wonder eucharistic whose for twelve centuries the town of
“The Verb was made flesh and lived among us”: thus the telegram was designed by which professor Odoardo Linoli, officially charged to conclude the delicate scientific research, announced to the Father Guard the Community Conventual Minor Brothers of Lanciano the result of his work, irrefutable proof of the authenticity of the miracle.
The harmonious union of the scientific elements and histories worked out by the competence of professor Bruno Sammaciccia enables us to offer to the catholic public a masterly work, which not only will remain for the future a testimony real and indisputable of the authenticity of the eucharistic relics venerated under the title of “Miracle of Lanciano”, but to which will have to necessarily refer all those which will want to be devoted to a scientific study or to speak with the hearts about a tangible presence which, to cure a doubt, to overcome a temptation, will delight so much by hearts and will make curve itself, with science, so much of dubious spirits.
With the famous author, I express my sharper recognition and the sincere gratitude of the archdiocese of Lanciano, at the same time as I say my deep thanks to the Conventual Minor Brothers of the province of the Abruzzi, to which the archdiocese of the “Frentans” wanted to entrust the guard of the holy relics, knowing well to which hearts seraphic they were thus given.
Of any heart, I wish that all those which will have read this book be able, in their turn, to exclaim: “He truly lived among us! ”
+ france Pacifico Mr. L. Perantoni O. F. Mr.
archbishop of Lanciano and bishop of Ortona
© Editions of the Cedar, 1977.
Lanciano, Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, 1973
PRESENTATION OF THE 2ND EDITION ITALIAN
The first edition of the “Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano”, appeared in 1973, being exhausted, an 2nd edition, review and being corrected, comes to the light, benefitting from enthusiasm and the interest which the first caused everywhere.
Documentation historical, mystical, scientific and photographic that the author with an incomparable precision knew to collect had the great merit to make known one of the most prestigious miracles eucharistic of the world, and contributed to strengthen the faith, the worship and the devotion in Very-Saint Sacrament.
“I will be always with you”: these words of Jesus are checked over all in Eucharistie, Présence Real. The Miracle eucharistic of Lanciano in is a new proof; after twelve centuries of permanence, science, guest to say her word, provided the irrefutable evidence of its authenticity.
This is to us a great joy to note that the Sanctuary of Lanciano attracts, even from abroad, of the increasingly many pilgrims.
We wish ardently that the reading of these pages revives the faith of faithful, their love for Jesus veiled under the Holy Species.
+ Léopold, archbishop of Lanciano and bishop of Ortona
Lanciano, on
INTRODUCTION TO THE FRENCH EDITION
And Verbum caro factum is!
Such has been the exclamation of professor Linoli in front of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano, perpetuated until our days for twelve centuries and thus making it possible science to testify to the reality of the Eucharistique Sacrifice at the exact moment when, in addition to the traditional attacks of the enemies of the Church against the mass, this one is reached by changes which make it at the very least ambiguous when it does not lose its sacrificial significance.
With knees! All.
The incarnated Verb and we conceal adore, in word and spirit.
Let us thank, for Its mercy, Our-Lord Jesus-Christ who gives us such a sign at such a time.
Let us like it of all our forces, Him, which on the furnace bridges, reactualizes for us the Sacrifice of the Cross.
Let us dare to ask Him to help to carry Its Cross.
Strengthened in the Faith, let us can testify some by our being rather than by our “appearing”.
And the Verb was made Chair.
Yes, and this Flesh which we venerate in Lanciano is, according to the scientific analyzes, a piece of cardiac muscle!
Isn't this there a sign, prepared centuries in advance, for our liberal and laicized time which refuses the messages of the Sacred Heart and rejects Its Painful Love and Miséricordieux?
With the grace of God, no situation is desperate, and the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano must consolidate our Hope.
Would God appear thus if there were no more hope to rebuild a Christian company, Christendom, without passing by the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrhe?
Than ever, therefore, supported more by this miracle, we must accommodate the grace, we must let touch our hearts and do what Our-Lady-of-Seven-Pains, Corédemptrice of mankind, points out so patiently and so intensely: Prayer and Penitence.
Painful hearts and Miséricordieux of Jesus and Marie, Request for we who have resort to you!
Doctor Michel the Villette
President of the National confederation of the Christian Families, Founder of Moral Maintenance about the Doctors
PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR
When the R.P. Antonio De Sanctis, Provincial of the conventual minor Brothers of the Abruzzi, entrusted the considerable task to me to write a book on the “Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano”, I tested a certain hesitation, as well because of the historical, mystical importance and scientist of a so exceptional event, as because of the responsibility which would fall to me if I accepted a mandate entrusted with a regard and a confidence if proclamations. I accepted, nevertheless, and put to me at work. I collected, in the preceding works, old documents and traditional data of popular origin, historical and cultural materials concerning the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano; I endeavoured to restore the screen of the historical events and to clarify certain points which had muddled of the imperfect developments and the apparently incoherent expressions, so as to as far as possible establish a historical, religious plan and scientist who could offer an aspect rather clear and acceptable, and even risked me to venture some assumptions which were likely to open the way with new knowledge and new theses, without never betraying the powerful historical luggage which is used as basic proof with the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano.
Before publishing this work, that the religious authorities agreed to approve and sponsor, I gave in specialized magazines various studies intended to prepare the ground and to reveal the very exceptional fact to which this book is devoted. All my work was carried out in the spirit of clear love which deeply binds me to the spiritual world, and which, with an intense passion and a devotion cordial, links me in Frère Francois, the cantor of the universal love, the poet of the heart and pure charity. The cultural texture of my study on the Eucharistique Miracle is not that of a work cold, analytical, measured and anonymous, denied that of an alive and suggestive work: exceeding the data coldly historical, I openly exposed deny intentions of Christian, my feelings and my convictions deepest, not very eager to give to the public only one list of dates, names, etc
I dare to hope that the reader will be able to read between the lines and to contemplate the moral topics, historical, mystical and social that, implicitly but sincerely, I expose and propose, breaking the cultural ice of our century and showing the size of a life lived according to the interior Truth, which only can give us truly peace, joy and justice. With the insane asceticism of our world mechanist, of our era of consumption, scientific frenzies which, if they are not guided by a healthy morals, cannot, as we note it in all the fields, that to cause damage, we will escape only if we know to mature of the interior, in the close friend of our heart, where is very explained because the Lord resides at it. Then only we will be able to find the remedy for all the evils. Otherwise, nothing will make there, neither the social science without God, neither - less still - the cold charity of the social laws, nor - especially - the constraint of mass.
As I said and showed, it is, today more than yesterday, important and necessary to reveal and appreciate the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano, as a sign expressed by this infinite world where we find at the same time God and our conscience of spirits and men. I urge the exégètes and the historians not to make play their measuring instruments here, and still to give up the practice more than they have to disfigure all the historical facts; that they use of indulgence, that they think and understand that, in addition to all is historically debatable, my work requires a total sight, intuitive and substantial. The historical and scientific luggage of which we lay out is more than sufficient so that we affirm the authenticity of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano.
I believe to have been humble and sincere, and it is in the same spirit of humility as I launch to a whole a call so that they meditate on events like that which I treat at present. It could be whereas the men understand that their measuring unit, if perfect and so large that it can appear, appears, in front of God and His demonstrations, infinitesimal and miserable.
B.S.
I - MIRACLE EUCHARISTIQUE OF LANCIANO
Nature of the Miracle
The very old wonder of which we treat here is included in the category of the “Eucharistiques Miracles” who constellate the history with the Church, since the time of S. Cyprien - one of the first authors who spoke about it - until the modern age. Most known of these miracles is undoubtedly that of Bolsène, which inspired the masterpieces of the cathedral of Orvieto and fresco of Raphaël celebrates it, and after which the Church, in 1264, instituted the festival of the Domini Corpus - the “Corpus Christi” (Sanna Solaro G. Mr., the conversione miracolosa in Edge della Grande Ostia che if nella Chiesa di S. Francesca in Lanciano preserved, pp. 15-16.). Just as His, which was the seat of two miracles of this kind - one in 1330, preserved in the Sanctuary of Holy Rita at Cascia, and the other in 1730, preserved at His, in the Basilica of S. François - in the same way the town of Lanciano was twice the place of a Eucharistique Miracle, at times and in entirely different circumstances: first once at VIIIe century - and it is this event which interests us here - and second once in 1273, at the time of what one commonly calls “the Miracle of Offida” (Sergiacomi G., It Miracolo Eucaristico di Offida, p. 62, footnote.), of the name of the locality of the Steps where a certain Father Agostino de Merulis da Offida transferred later the Holy Relics (Following this second miracle, and because of the circumstances in which it produced, the inhabitants of Lanciano accepted the nickname of “Frija Christo” [literally “Those which make fry Christ”], by which they today are still indicated in the Abruzzi.).
The various Eucharistiques Miracles transmitted by the Tradition have as a common feature the sudden transmutation, after the priest celebrating the Holy Mass pronounced the words of the Dedication, of the species of the bread and the wine, respectively and simultaneously, in true Flesh and true Blood, or of the only bread in true Flesh or the only wine in true Blood, in quantities and according to methods varying according to the cases.
Compared to the others, the first Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano is undoubtedly most complete and more “macroscopic”, because the transmutation there relates to the two species and quantitatively affects significant proportions. Here how it occurred, according to what we can conclude from documents of which the authenticity further will be studied.
One day not identified of VIIIe century, in a church of Lanciano dedicated to the Légontien saints and Domitien, martyrs of Chieti, a monk basilien celebrated the Holy Mass in Latin rite - i.e., inter alia, with a unleavened bread host. After the double dedication, it began to doubt the real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament, or was perhaps there he induces without fault of his share; always it is that he suddenly saw the host changing into Flesh and the wine to change into Blood (Invaluable Blood had thereafter, in coagulant, to form five small irregular clots of forms and various sizes). The initial reaction of the monk, amazed and upset, was to seek to hide what had just occurred, but, controlling its emotion, it expressed the wonder with faithful which, become thus its eyewitnesses, diffused the news in the city of it.
Such is the account of the Miracle, where the modern believer could not see any nonsense or historical error. It inter alia is historically shown that, in the first centuries of the Church, whereas did not exist yet a rigid dichotomy between the Latin ritual and the Eastern ritual, the Greek ministers - what was most probably the monk basilien protagonist of the miracle - very often celebrated in Latin rite, using made round hosts of unleavened bread, and not of the square fermented bread hosts, like wanted it normally the rite Greek (Sanna Solaro, COp lash., pp. 20 and 21.).
Today, twelve centuries after the miraculous event, the Holy Relics remained practically intact. At first sight - the biochemical structure of the Relics will be further studied - the Host of Flesh, which preserved dimensions of “large the original Host”, has a fibrous appearance and a brown color, which turns pink if one places a light behind the monstrance. The Blood, contained in the chalice, has an earthy color tending to the ocher yellow, and is composed of five small clots, of which largest is consisted two welded distinct fragments one with the other; their total weight is of 16 G and 505 Mg, thus distributed: 8g, 2,45 G, 2,85 G, 2,05 G, 1,15 G and 5 Mg of dust of blood.
If one passes from the aspect phenomenic of the wonder to his substantial aspect, a theological problem arises, which is besides common to all the Eucharistiques Miracles. This problem is certainly not topicality in the modern theologists, but until a recent past it drew the attention of the specialists: the Holy Flesh and do the Saint Blood have to be today regarded as simple relics, in addition particularly worthy, or the Real Presence it in them is hiding place? In this case, the worship which would be owe would be them a worship of lâtrie, of worship. During centuries, Franciscains and Dominicains discussed question, producing arguments and solutions divergent; that it is enough for us here to mention the existence of it (Sergiacomi, COp cit., pp. 303 and 304.).
Lanciano, place of two great Eucharistiques Miracles, has since its origins, as we will say, a specific crowned tradition related to the Blood of Jesus-Christ. In a providential intention where very and its direction takes unifies, it is not by chance that the antique quoted of the
Today, the antique quoted does not exist any more; according to the ones, it would have been destroyed by Pépin king of the Francs, according to others it would have been more probably shaven on the ground by posterior earthquakes. This last opinion is in particular that of the most famous local historian, the doctor Giacomo Fella, author of invaluable Chronologia civitatis Lancianensis. Another local historian, the Antinori archbishop, written in his Memorie storiche della città di Lanciano, published after dead, that the old city was located at a little less than three kilometers of the city present. The city was famous under the Romans and the Byzantines, then later under the Popes; in 1515, Leon X set it up in évêché immediately submitted to the Holy See, and in 1562 Magpie IV raised it with the dignity of archbishop's palace, because same of its crowned traditions, of which, initially, that which referred to its Eucharistiques Miracles.
It is interesting for our matter to raise that at the beginning of XIIIe century the original name, Ansanum, were transformed into Lanzanum (Bandaged, ibid). The affixing of the article was not due randomly, but with the image of the lance (“lancia”) which appeared in the weapons angevines of Lanciano and evoked the epic contribution of the city to the release of the Holy Sepulchre. Nevertheless - and it is there the feature which we make a point of underlining - the topic of the Lance in Lanciano of XIIIe century constitutes in a quasi unquestionable way the recovery, natural prolongation of a similar topic original and much older, directly dependant, by the means same of the Lance, with the Blood of the historical Jesus. This assumption, which serves to us not only for purposes as a reconstitution philologico-nun érudite, but for purposes of an explanation, in the plan of providential and supernatural logic, divine choice of Lanciano like sits of two Eucharistiques Miracles, finds a support, if not in a documented history, at least in a tough and extremely old local tradition.
According to this tradition, Longin, the Roman centurion who, with a lance, transpierced the already dead side of Christ, would have been originating in Lanciano. Equivocal, he was cured while carrying in his eyes his stained hand of the blood of Jesus; he converts and died martyr (Bandaged, COp laughs., p. 18. [Let us note that S. Longin was martyrisé in Césarée de Cappadoce, and that with the IX° century the town of
It is now advisable to stop somewhat with the history of this church of the SS. Légontien and Domitien, that some historians name simply “church of S. Légontien” (the church in question is known as “of S. Légontien” in a Bubble of the pope Alexandre III, going back from 1176, “S. Léontien” in a Brief of Alexandre IV going back from 1255, “S. Légontien” in another Bubble of S. Pie V, “S. Ligorio” in other sources quoted by Ughelli, and “of S. Longin” in a diploma of Henri VI. Cf Bandaged, COp laughs., p. 19, footnote) because it had the honor to shelter the first great Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano. According to the Pollidoro historian, who calls upon the tradition, it was former at the time of Charlemagne, and during the Greek reign of this last was annexed to the monastery of Basiliens.
If one believes what the historians say (the archbishop Antinori and others), it was located out of the city, in curte ateana, to approximately 3 km in the south. At the time when the miracle occurred, it was certainly served by monks basiliens, and there were thus in the vicinity a monastery governed by an abbot or a superior dependant on another monastery (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 6.). At one later time, the church came from there to be in the center of the “news” Lanciano, which, undoubtedly ressuscitant of its ruins after being destroyed, is distributed around the old church and of its monastery, according to a common practice in the urban old one. The surrounding population, which formed the “borough”, gave rise to current Lanciano.
Date from the Miracle. - Historical Documents
We come now to a point from particular importance: it is a question of determining, on the basis of historical material we have, if not dates it, even approximate, at least the time to which the Miracle occurred.
Let us say without more delaying that the traditional belief according to which the Miracle would have taken place in VIIIe century finds, if not a rigorous demonstration, at least a confirmation and a support in the historical analysis. In VIIIe century, the old city was still upright, the Francs not having passed yet by there, and the church of S. Légontien was thus with the periphery, as we on occasion to say it; and it is extremely probable which it was then served by monks basiliens, who, according to the documents of which we lay out (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 13), arrived to Italy as of the first years of the Life century, after the defeat of Goths by the Bélisaire Byzantine in 537; at that time, in fact, the patriarchate of Constantinople started to exert its jurisdiction on Pouilles, Calabria and the Abruzzi, and he obviously exerted it via Greek priests who, in accordance with the ecclesiastical laws of time, necessarily had, if they were covered with certain hierarchical importance, being monks. Coming to
In any event, we have on this subject a historical testimony: as of year 401, Rufin introduced into one of the first monasteries of
Having established these premises which show that the tradition according to which the Miracle would have taken place in VIIIe century is worthy of consideration (the R.P. Luigi Laurella, of the Community of the Conventual Minors of Lanciano, judiciously recalled us that the Fathers of the second Council of Nicée, at the time of the session of October 6, 787, condemned in these terms one of the aspects of the heresy of the Iconoclasts: “No Apostle did not teach that the nonbloody Sacrifice was the image of the Body of Christ, because it was not what the Apostles had learned from Jesus, nor that Jesus had said: Take and eat the image of my Body, but well: Take and eat, this is my body” (cf Mansi, T. XI III, collar. 262-267). The monks were used as target particular to the Iconoclasts, for which Eucharistie was precisely only the only tolerated “image” of Jesus-Christ: persecuted, they had to flee in great number. (NR. of Tr.)), or at least that it is not obviously erroneous, let us come to speak about the document concerning to the Miracle.
We will start by saying that Pollidoro mentions the existence of very old paintings representing the Miracle, paintings which did not arrive to us. On its side, Fella, in its posthumous work entitled Chronologia civitatis Lancianensis, in the chapter XVIII De Sacris aedibus and coenobiis, pp. 156-160, writes that existed in the church of S. François - where as today the Holy Relics were preserved - a very old manuscript on parchment, written in Greek and Latin, covered with two shelves, which one can suppose that it was the original document attesting and describing the Miracle. But, adds Fella, two Conventual S. François him had told in first years of XVIe century that this invaluable testimony had been subtilized seventy years earlier by two monks basiliens, who perhaps had thus wanted to make disappear testimony from what they regarded as a “shame” for their Order, namely the doubt tested on the real Presence by the monk basilien their predecessor; and the document had been found never again, despite everything research carried out.
Here literal translation of the exact words of Fella:
“Many times affirmed me Très Reverends Pères Maestro Antonio Scarpa and Angelo Silo that seventy years ago [...] came in our convent from S. François two monks from S. Basile, which, at dawn, without greeting anybody, escaped by carrying the manuscript of parchment, covered with two plates, written in Greek and in Latin, who takes care it of the evening had been given to them so that they read it by the Guard and the other brothers of the known as convent. The aforementioned Fathers still affirmed that this manuscript contained the marvellous history of the conversion of the bread into Flesh and the wine into Blood, fact which has occurred in old times in the church of S. François which then, under the title of S. Légontien, was served by the monks of S. Basile, and that one had never been able to know where these two fugitive had disappeared. ”
Many are the historical documents going back to posterior times: among those which the historians mention Fella and Antinori (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 8), we will quote a text epigraphic of 1636 writing to the memory of the Rodriguez archbishop, who proceeded to this date with a recognition of the Relics (the stone is today on the right furnace bridge where the Relics were preserved of 1636 to 1902). Here literal translation of the text:
“Approximately the years of the Lord seven hundreds in this church then under the title of S. Légontien of the monks of S. Basile a monk priest doubted so in the devoted host was truly the body of Our-Lord, so in the wine Blood. It celebrated the mass and having pronounced the words of the dedication saw the made host Chair and the wine makes Sang. All was shown with those which surrounded it then with all the people. The Flesh is still whole and the Blood divided into five unequal parts which taken together weigh as much as each one taken separately. That is seen today in the same way in this vault made by Giovanni Francesco Valsecca with his own expenses the year of LORD MDCXXXVI. ”.
Fella left us another testimony, in the form of a long inscription which tells the Miracle thoroughly, and which one could read at the beginning of XVIe century in the church Holy-Marie-of-Prenazzano - current Popezzano of the
Other historians speak about the Miracle, in a more or less prolix way: let us quote Pietro Ridolfi in his Historia Seraphicae Religionis of 1586, the Pacichelli abbot in his Memorie dei viaggi per Europa cristiana of 1685, and the Ughelli Father in his Italia crowned of 1659; this last affirms to have borrowed the integral account from Sebastiano Rinaldi di Lanciano, bishop titular of Chalcédoine, the oldest historian of the area (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 9). It should be stressed that Pacichelli and Ughelli affirm with insurance that the Miracle occurred in VIIIe century.
Historical vicissitudes of the church of S. Légontien and the Holy Relics
The church of S. Légontien, served by the monks basiliens at the time where the Miracle occurred, was given up by them when they left the area, at the end of XIIe century. According to what report Rinaldi and Ughelli (Idem, p. 27), the church and the monastery which was annexed to him became, by concession of the pope Innocent III, property of the Benedictines who made of it a dependence of the monastery of
In 1258, the monks built a new convent and a new church, on the same ruins of the old convent and the old church. New construction was animated artistic breath specific to the
We know source sure (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 29) that when the Brothers took possession of the
Long story, rich in documents, presence of Conventual with S. Francois, where they were in charge of the guard of the Holy Relics, we will extract an episode which appears significant to us. In 1666, the Conventual ones had to be opposed to an attempt, on behalf of Confraternité local known as of the “Raccomandati”, of appropriation of the antique
In front of similar facts, a question arises spontaneously, which contains in itself the answer: why as well and such disagreements, lawsuits even, carried in front of the highest ecclesiastical and civil courts, for the possession of an old ruined church, if not for the obvious reason as it was worth much more as its material value, because of its eminent quality, traditional and uninterrupted, of temple and guardian of a great Miracle?
Because of the suppression of the religious orders by Napoleon, Franciscains had to leave Lanciano in 1809. But, after an absence of one century and half, called by the archbishop of Lanciano, Mgr Migliorini, they returned solemnly in their city and their Sanctuary on
Modes and places of conservation of the Holy Relics during the centuries
The Bellini historian, who drew certainly with an old source, affirms that the Holy Eucharistiques Relics, before being, in 1258, transferred in the new church from S. Francois, i.e., during the five centuries that they remained in the church of S. Légontien - were preserved in an invaluable ivory reliquary.
From 1258, if one believes of it the P. Gardien of 1666 - date of the controversy with the Brotherhood of the “Raccomandati” - the Relics were placed on the left which looked at the major furnace bridge, undoubtedly in a special gate vault, which is confirmed besides in 1723 by the Paternô archbishop.
In 1566, as it results from a notarial act whose text was preserved to us by Antinori (Sanna Solaro, COp cit., p. 39), the Holy Relics were hidden in a small obscure vault located has horned evangelii and undoubtedly walled, to protect them from the incursions from the Turks who started to show themselves on the shore of the Abruzzi and could easily have penetrated until Lanciano. This vault exists still today, though transformed, and has only one window, high and narrow, out of spearhead It is the current refectory of the Community (NR. of Tr.).
In the same notarial act, established on the request of the “Sindaco” of then, it is known as that into 1636 the Holy Relics were withdrawn of the aforesaid the obscure vault - the Turkish danger being moved away - and were placed in a vault worthy of them, built at the expenses of Antonio Valsecca (It is rather about a furnace bridge that of a vault itself (NR. of Tr.)). Antinori adds:
“The Holy Relics were locked up with four keys: that which closed the iron grid was preserved by Sindaco in the name of the city; another by the Guard in the name of the Convent; the third, which closed the wood case, by Leone Riccio brother-in-law of Valsecca; and the last, that of the iron grid, by the sexton of the Convent, in order to make there celebrate masses for the Valsecca benefactor (Today, the iron grid who surrounded the Furnace bridge does not exist any more). ”
The key entrusted to the Guard, which one does not say to us what it closed, seems to evoke a reliquary more or less invaluable, in direct contact with the Holy Flesh and the Saint Blood, and contained in his turn in the wood case whose key had been entrusted to the brother-in-law - i.e. with the heirs - of Valsecca. This assumption is fully confirmed by the Pacichelli abbot, who, reporting a visit which it made in Lanciano in 1693, written in its Lettere famigliari:
“The Conventual ones have a small vault painted on the right single nave of their church and in two small money boxes closed by several keys in a wood cupboard and inside a crystal vase of the Eucharistique Bread changed into Flesh and crowned Liqueur frozen in five unequal pieces of Blood since the seventh century (We prefer speech of VIIIe century) has between the hands of an inaccurate monk of S. Basile…”
In October 1902, the Valsecca vault being judged from now on little adapted, Mgr Petrarca, archbishop of Lanciano, wanted to transfer the Invaluable Relics to the major furnace bridge, which, thanks to the spontaneous offerings of the inhabitants of Lanciano, was rebuilt by Ingegnere Filippo Sergiacomo. The inauguration of this new furnace bridge was done in large pump, in the presence of the five bishops of the area of the
In 1920, the generosity of the inhabitants of Lanciano made it possible to install behind the furnace bridge a double snail marble staircase giving access to the Gate vault which contains the Holy Relics. In December 1958, finally, a space was open behind the apse, and a right staircase, more practicable, was set up.
With regard to current the direct “containers” of the Holy Relics, the Holy Flesh is placed today between two crystal glasses belonging to a finely engraved money monstrance, that one even in which the Holy-Relic was deposited on
TANTO. FIDEI MYSTERYO.
INCREDULO. SACERDOTI. QUONDAM. PATEFACTO.
DOMINYCUS. COLI. AIRED. SUO. MDCCXIII.
Official attitude of the Church
The devotion of the population of Lanciano for her miraculous Relics goes back to key period old. She always gave place, each year, with a great solemnity, celebrated with the official intervention archbishops and bishops, like of the “Sindaco”, which in the past Thus enjoyed the privilege to have a seat of honor close to the reliquary (teaches us Mgr Paternô; cf Spigone, COp cit., p. 198, footnote).
The furnace bridge built in 1636 by Francesco Valsecca was declared privileged by Benoît XIV on
In 1887, Mgr Petrarca, archbishop of Lanciano, obtained from Leon XIII - exceptional favor on behalf of the Church - the plenary indulgence with perpetuity for those which would visit the church of the Miracle during the eight days preceding the annual festival, which celebrates last Sunday of October.
Because of the importance and notoriety of the Miracle, Lanciano was selected like sits of the first Eucharistique Congress of the area of the
Since then, and until our days, the commemorative ceremonies always took place in the presence of dignitaries of the Church.
Successive recognitions
(Before speaking about the recognition carried out in 1970, we will mention the former recognitions attested by the documents we have.)
On February 17, 1574, the Rodriguez archbishop proceeded to a first recognition; as an inscription engraved on a block of marble located in the church attests it, it noted in the presence of the people that the total weight of the five blood clots was identical to the weight of each one of them; this fact, of origin obviously préternaturelle and pertaining to a category of frequent miraculous demonstrations in the History of the Church and the Saints, strengthens the faith with the Miracle. Nevertheless, this extraordinary event was not renewed any more at the time of the later recognitions.
In 1637, at the time of the translation of the Holy Relics in the vault Valsecca, the Guard of the Convent, FRA Serafino da Scanno, proceeded in the presence of the population to a second recognition.
A third recognition was carried out, on October 23, 1770, by the Gervasone archbishop, who wanted to make clean the reliquary; on this occasion, the Host of Flesh was withdrawn from it for some time (Satina Solaro, COp cit., p. 34.).
The last recognition - before that very recent of 1970, carried out according to rigorously scientific criteria and about which we will speak in detail thereafter - goes back to
Other historical and ecclesiastical notes old
1536 - Bubble of Magpie IV, relating to the
June 12, 1557 - Will of Master Ferdinando Di Giovanni del Barbiero, written by the notary Giovanni Angelo Di Fazio burial in Santa Maria Nuova in front of the vault of S. Jean Baptist, legacies made with the latter, the church of Santa Maria LED Bridges and with the church of the Corpus Domini (Antinori, Libro delle Memorie, N. 244, p. 349).
1586 - The P. Tossignano reports that with S. François de Lanciano “reperitur hostia carnis miraculose conversed in
Ferdinando Ughelli (1594-1670) speaks thus about the Miracle: “The convent of S. François preserves many relics, but that which exceeds them all is the Sacrament of Very Holy Eucharistie, converted there are thousand years in Flesh, and five wine drops converted into Blood” (Ughelli, Italia Sacra, T. VI, p. 787.
August 20, 1637 - At the request of the “sindaco” Giovanni Tommaso Rialto, the notary Giovanni Battista Verna receives in the church of S. François the following declaration of the P. Gardien Serafino Zaccardo da Scanno: “In year 700, in the aforesaid Monastery, then called of S. Légontien, where the monks basiliens resided, whereas a certain monk tested doubts about the faith in the Very Blessed Sacrament of Eucharistie, while he pronounced the words of the dedication to the Mass, in the presence of the people occurred this great Miracle of the bread converted into Flesh and the wine converted into Blood…” " (Notarial act preserved in the Files of the Sanctuary).
June 25, 1672 - Clement X declares the furnace bridge of the Holy Relics furnace bridge privileged during all the octave of Late and every Monday of the année" (Bocache, Free 7, p. 343).
1686 - The abbot Giovanni Battista Pacichelli written: “In the antique Temple of S. Francois, formerly [property] of the Monks of S. Basile, then of Cassiniens, inter alia many relics, one preserves with great veneration the Crowned Host changed into Flesh and some drops of wine [changed] in Blood there is thousand years between the hands of a Religious Priest incrédule, that whose history is painted in the Sacristy” (Pacichelli, COp cit., left IV°, T. 2, p. 213).
February 17, 1717 - the archbishop Giovanni Uva gives order to Giuseppe Ricci to give the key of Très Holy Relics to D. Domenico Basciano (38 ibid).
July 30, 1728 - In his will, the archbishop Antonio Paterne orders that the keys of the Holy Relics remain in the possession of the rev. Gift Silvestro De Cecco, which will preserve them during the vacancy of the seat and to the future Archbishop his successor (39 ibid) will give them.
April 18, 1743 - Carlo Cinerini, magistrate of the City, make write by the notary Francesco Madrigale: “On made request with us we went in the Worthy Church of S. François and with little distance from the Furnace bridge on which was already exposed it so famous, single and distinguished Relique of the Crowned Host of Our-Lord Jesus-Christ…” (Notarial act preserved in the Files of the Sanctuary).
June 19, 1799 - the archbishop Francesco Amoroso, “with the request of the good citizens, concedes a procession of penitence with intervention of the Chapter, the secular and regular Clergy and Confraternités, there being carried the Relique badge of the Host, which one has habit to thus carry in the very serious and urgent needs” (42 Coppa Zucca, vol. 1, p. 265).
September 27, 1809 - the Duke of Monteyasi, Chamberlain of S. Mr. the King, writing of Chieti and by order of the Royal House of Naples, asks the Capitulary Vicar if there exist Sanctuaries of particular devotion. The Vicar answers that in the
August 5, 1889 - the P. Sanna Solaro, president of the Italian Company “Fasti Eucaristici”, informs the Petrarca archbishop whom it made make in Turin, to be sent to Paray-le-Monial, a banner carrying the inscription: “Homage of the Archbishop, the Clergy and the Population of Lanciano” (ibid).
TRANSLATION OF THE DOCUMENT REPRODUCES AD PERPETUAM REI MEMORIAM OPPOSITE
Lanciano, formerly named Ansiano, famous city for the fairs which take place there twice the year in the
Downtown this, about years 700 of NR. S. was in the monastery of S. Légontien, where Monks of S. Basile lived, today convent of S. Francois, a monk who, not very firm in the faith, versed in sciences of the world but ignoramus of those of God, went day in day doubting that in the devoted Host was [present] the true Body of Christ and the same in the wine was [present] true Blood.
However, not being abandoned divine grace of the perpetual speech, he constantly requested God to remove heart to him this wound which afflicted its heart, and God Very-Good, Père of mercy and of all our consolation, was rained to raise it of a so obscure ténèbre, making him this same grace that he granted to the Apostle S. Thomas.
Tandis thus that a morning, in the middle of its sacrifice, after having pronounced the very-holy words of the dedication, it was more than ever inserted in its old error, it lives (ô singular and marvellous favor!) bread in Flesh and wine in Blood changed.
Terrified and confused of such and if narcotic miracle, it remained a long time as transported in divine a extase; but finally, terror yielding it to the spiritual joy which filled up the heart to him, the radiant face still that bathed tears, it turned to those which surrounded it and says to them: “O happy assistants, to whom it Blessed God, to confuse my incredulity, wanted to reveal themselves in this Very-Saint Sacrament and to go visible in your eyes! Come my brothers, and see our God [who is] made similar to us. Here Flesh and the Blood of our Christ beloved. ”
With these words, the avid people precipitated while running to the Furnace bridge and very frightened started not without much abundance of tears to shout mercy. Noise of so rare and singular miracle being spread by all the city, which will be able to say the acts of componction that large and small, run in great haste, endeavoured to achieve: the ones, confused, called upon of a voice excessively pious woman divine Pitié, others, striking the chest declared guilty errors [that they had] made, others with choked accents and uninterrupted sighs were proclaimed unworthy to contemplate a so invaluable treasure, others finally in a silence tacit and respectful admired, were astonished, rented and thanked God Very-Good for having wanted to subject to the mortal direction Son immortal and incomprehensible Majesté.
When this afflicting harmony was finally alleviated and that had been returned to the Sky the suitable graces, the Notable ones of the City made carry out a very-beautiful ivory Gate vault, perhaps [parce] that in this time this tooth [sic] was estimated than any other metal, [Gate vault] in which such a Relic was preserved almost until our days: since then in a very-beautiful vase of money like a chalice and finally in a very-rich person rock crystal, where it is preserved today.
Five are the fragments of this Blood, unequal and various size, and (ô wonder!) [when they were], by divine inspiration and to perhaps confuse some incrédule, weighed with the balance of the Archbishop, who was FRA Antonio di S. Michele, one realized that one weighed as much as all, two as much as three, largest as much as the small one.
Such a Relic is shown with whoever wishes to see it, the shortly after Easter, after lunching. Giovanni Botero, not knowing the history, writing with the 1st book of its Universal Relations that in Lanciano one shows the Very-Saint-Sacrament changed into Flesh and Blood when a Jew struck it of a knife. But there does not exist trace of another Miracle only that which Blessed God wanted to express by this same Relic.
In 1566, the Turks traversing all the shores of the Kingdom of Naples, and burning and devastating, with an execrable rage and a fury, all the cities neighbouring, FRA Giovanni di Mastro Renzo, Conventual Minors, not trusting the divine assistance and forgetting the confidence so much preached by our seraphic Father S. Francois, flees, the first day of August, with much of young people of the already abandoned city, bearing with him this sacro-holy Relique so that it did not fall indecently to the hands from these Dogs. Having thus gone with great steps all the night, and consequently believer to have gone on a great journey, it was found the morning close to the door even of the city by which it had left; very full with amazement and confusion for its lack of confidence, it turned to his companions and says to them: “Do not allot, Compagnons, to the misfortune this error common, but charge the whole to Divine Providence, whose secrecies are inscrutable and investigables. Consequently, we must remain here and if necessary to spread without hesitating our blood and offering our life: a truth and good soldier and disciple of Christ must certainly give her life for this same Christ. ”
Comforted by such and other similar words, the companions suddenly changed soft and timid lambs into strong and courageous lions, filled up celestial audacity, returned in the abandoned city and the guard with a pious intrepidity and excessively pious woman began again some.
But the power of this Lord who formerly preserved voracious flames the three young Hebrew boys kept also intact and protected from the enemy swords the faithful guards of this celestial and invaluable Trésor.
That are thus keep silent the languages sacrileges of the Jews, that the stubborn courses of the incrédules are tenderized, that is delighted and entered in festival the Christian religion, with which is discovered obviously what she professes and believes. But over very that exulte and triumphs Italy, within which this immense Seigneur hides that all the things created put together cannot contain, and of which with révérente solemnity we can sing well with holy Eglise: Not east went Natio tam grown, quae habeat deos appropinquantes sibi sicut adest nobis Deus noster, cui ab omni will creatura laus honor and gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Suprascriptum miraculum has rev. Sebastiano de Rinaldis luculentissime exaratum, atque in libro cui titulus “Flos Sanctorum” compendiose repositum and fidelium pleniorem letitiam perfideliter extractum is anno Domini 1631. - In the
II - OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE RECOGNITION OF 1970-1971
In the current of the year of the Lord 1970, the Community of the Conventual Minor Brothers at which is entrusted the guard of the Eucharistique Miracle preserved in the church of S. François de Lanciano, pressed by S. Exc. Mgr Pacifico Perantoni, archbishop of Lanciano and bishop of Ortona, and by T.R.P. Bruno Luciani, provincial Minister for the Conventual Minor Brothers of the Abruzzi, decided to proceed to the scientific recognition of known as Miracle, thus carrying out one of the companies most dared of all the religious Province of F. Mr. Conventuels since 1953, date on which Mgr Benigno Migliorini, then archbishop of Lanciano, entrusted to him again, after a long interval due to the suppression operated by Napoleon, guard of the Miracle.
The responsibility of proceed to this recognition was entrusted to professor Odoardo Linoli, to professor of anatomy, pathological histology, chemistry and clinical microscopy, to department head at the joined together Hospitals of Arezzo, to which were given, on the human plan and to scientist, all the necessary guarantees for a so delicate operation and so door of responsibilities. It was understood that professor Linoli would make sure the contest of professor Ruggero Bertelli, professor emeritus of histology at the university of His.
On technical grounds, it was decided that the recognition would be done in two stages. The first would consist of the taking away of some samples of the Holy Relics, that professor Linoli would carry at his laboratory of
First official report
On November 18, 1970, to 10 H of the morning, met in the sacristy of the church of S. Francois, in order to proceed to the first phase of work S. Exc. Mgr Pacifico Perantoni, archbishop of Lanciano and bishop of Ortona:
T.R.P. Bruno Lanciani, Provincial of the Conventual Minor Brothers of the Abruzzi;
Professor Odoardo Linoli, professor of anatomy, pathological histology, chemistry and clinical miscroscopy, department head at the joined together Hospitals of Arezzo;
Gift Giuseppe Castiglione, chancellor of the archdiocese of Lanciano;
The R.P. Anastasio Poletto, secretary of S. Exc. Mgr the Archbishop;
RR. PP. Amedeo Giuliani, Luigi Laurella and Pio Grannonio, of the Conventual Minor Brothers;
All community of the Miracle, made up of the RR. PP. Angelo Zenobio, superior, Giorgio di Febo, Luigi Mariano and of the Brother Massimiliano Di Cristoforo.
With
After having examined fabric of the Flesh, professor Linoli expressed fear to be able to find, during the analyzes of laboratory, valid elements allowing to arrive at scientific conclusions, the fabric of the Flesh being likely to be from now on deprived of any element of identification.
Passing then to Blood, professor Linoli endeavoured to take some fragments of the interior of the clots, hoping that they would be richer in identifiable elements. Previously, he wanted to control the weight of the five blood clots. As at the time of the recognition of 1886, the weighing gave a total of 16 G and 505 Mg. The phenomenon of the identity of weight between each clot and their unit, affirmed by the Rodriguez archbishop at the time of the recognition which it made on February 17, 1574 and reported in the inscription engraved in 1636 on the block of marble located close to the furnace bridge of the Miracle in the church of S. Francois, was not noted, as already it had not been noted at the time of the recognition of 1886.
Once completed the test sample selection, the seal of S. Exc. Mgr Pacifico Perantoni was affixed on the reliquary and the chalice.
In fede…
+ Pacifico Perantoni, O.F. Mr., Archbishop
P. Bruno Mr. Luciani, Provincial P. Luigi Mariano
P. Amedeo Giuliani
P. Angelo Zenobio, Superior
P. Pio Grannonio
D. Giuseppe Castiglione
Chancellor archiépiscopal
Lanciano, March 4, 1971
Second official report
On
Professor Odoardo Linoli gave reading, in the
Were present: S. Exc. Mgr Pacifico Perantoni, archbishop of Lanciano and bishop of Ortona; Rme P. Ludovico Undermined, Public prosecutor about the Conventual Minor Brothers; T.R.P. Bruno Luciani, Provincial Minister for the Conventual Minor Brothers of the Abruzzi; a great number of Conventual Minor Brothers; superiors of the religious houses of the city; rev. Cleaned of Lanciano; the “Sindaco”, magistrature, civil authorities and military; several representatives of the medical community of the civil hospital; principals and many a public.
After reading of the communication of professor Linoli, a debate was established, to which share in particular T.R.P. Bruno Luciani and professor Urbano took, Analyste as a chief of the civil
The community of the Conventual Minor Brothers gave to professor Linoli a reproduction out of copper pushed back of the monstrance of the Holy Relics.
In fede…
+ Pacifico Perantoni O.F. Mr., Archbishop
D. Ludovico Mr. Cava, Vicaire and Public prosecutor
P. Bruno Mr. Luciani, Provincial Minister
P. Luigi Mariano
P. Angelo Zenobio, Superior
P. Pio Grannonio
P. Nicola Nasuti
France Massimiliano Di Cristoforo
D. Giuseppe Castiglione,
Chancellor archiépiscopal
Lanciano, March 5, 1971
P.S. Professor Linoli gave to the Superior of the Community of the Miracle the material used for the analyzes and some fragments of Blood not used for research. This material is preserved in the files of the convent of Lanciano. In the same files the originals of the scientific report/ratio and the official reports of the recognition are. Certified copies of the official reports and scientific report were submitted to the Curia généralice of the Conventual Minor Brothers and to the provincial Curia; two specimens were given to S. Exc. Mgr Pacifico, one intended to be preserved in the files archidiocésaines and the other at being given, during a deprived audience, with S.S. Paul VI.
III - SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF THE FLESH AND THE BLOOD OF LANCIANO
(This chapter is the translation of the integral report/ratio of professor Linoli. The translation was made on the manuscript even (NR. of Tr.)).
On November 18 of the year of the Lord 1970 to 10 H of the morning, in the church of S. François de Lanciano, in the presence of S. Exc. Mgr the Archbishop and of the Reverends Pères, mission was given to professor Odoardo Linoli, department head at the Hospital of Arezzo, to proceed to the recognition of the Holy Species of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano.
For this purpose, the Monstrance containing the Holy Flesh and the Saint Blood was related to white linens, on a table laid out for this purpose in the Sacristy.
Description of the Monstrance and the Saint Fabric
The Monstrance, of solid silver, presents to the top, on the former part, of the rays forming a glory and on the posterior part an elegant work in relief; it is surmounted by a Cross of the same metal.
It consists of two parts, former and posterior, maintained together by a finishing red cord of color, in its two ends, by two of the same seals color.
Monstrance presents in its center a round window, delimited by two opposite glasses 69 mms in diameter; between two glasses a fragment of a Fabric is, of irregularly round form presenting in the central zone a vast solution of continuity, so that the Fabric appears as retracted with the periphery, fascinating like the aspect of a ring. But whereas the peripheral marginal zone appears traced sufficiently well, the central zone, surrounding the cavity above mentioned, is frayed, and some Fabric scraps spout out in empty space.
The maximum diameters of Fabric are of 55 and 60 mm; central space empties delimited by Fabric has a diameter of 35 mm in the broadest zone and of 17 mm in the narrowest part. The Fabric is of color yellow-brown-chestnut, with some spots more definitely brown and of the of the same scratches color, variously directed.
Moreover, the surface of Fabric presents spots blanchâtres, partly isolated, partly joined together in formations of varied form and dimension, with sinuous margins.
The largest spots have 9 X 4 mm, the average spots 4 X 2 mm, and the dimension of the small spots goes from that of a birdseed to that of a point of pin.
Some white formations also adhere to former glass; they are entirely detached from Fabric.
With a more attentive detailed examination, the external marginal zone of Fabric presents some small holes, which by their dimension and their regularity evoke an old seam (* One can suppose that at a certain time the miraculous Host was bent on a corporal. (NR. of Tr.)). Five of these holes are visible on part of contour, but on the remainder of contour the observation is impossible, the Fabric being contracted and moreover covered by a metal ring.
Opening of the Monstrance and examination under the microscope of the white spots appearing on the Holy Flesh
The seals having been broken, and a small curved strip of closing having been removed, the Monstrance was opened, which made it possible to have a whole vision of the Holy Flesh and to check the aspects described above, relating to the form, dimensions and the color.
Having received S. Exc. Mgr the Archbishop the permission of touching the Holy Flesh, I noted that it was of consistency hard, almost woody, uniform in all its parts safe in the marginal, thicker and denser zone, and in the central zone, increasingly fine until being completely non-existent.
The white, isolated or grouped formations, could be examined; they were dry, of very thin consistency, soft. They were detached easily from the surface of the Flesh, without no adhered to it.
The observation of the surface of the Flesh made it possible to also note the presence of some residues of small insects, of larvae, without null trace of life.
Y having been authorized by S. Exc. Mgr the Archbishop, the undersigned examined the white small formations, to check if they contained starch.
For this purpose, he had asked and obtained to be able to lay out, on a small table, of a microscope.
The white spots were collected in several areas of the Holy Flesh, each one of them was suspended in one small drops of physiological solution and one tried to spread out them over a blade slide. One then added a drop of iodo-iodized solution (strong Lugl), which reacts in a way specific to the starch that it colors purple - that of which one ensures oneself under the microscope.
The preparation having been covered with a plate cover-glass, I noted the absence of starch everywhere, whereas in all the cases I observed important concentrations of spores and moissures.
The many preparations observed enabled me to conclude that the white spots being on the Flesh and glass of the Monstrance were of microscopic mushrooms of parasitic nature.
Having carried out these tests, the undersigned asked to be able to take some small fragments of the Flesh, asks which was granted to him.
With a scissors, I thus took two small fragments of the marginal zone which, when I weighed them at the laboratory of the
Description of the Chalice and Blood
A crystal chalice 10 height cm (not included/understood the pedestal and the circular base), of a diameter of 16 cm at the upper part and 5 cm at the lower part, is supported by a 3 height cm pedestal, which are based on a circular base 6,5 cm in diameter, comprising a gold ring which girds it with the periphery.
A lid, also of crystal, on corrugated and engraved board of five winged birds, surmounted of a small crystal ball elegantly drawn, closes the chalice. The ball has a diameter of 24 mm and is surmounted by a lamellate gilded money ornament, finely worked and in which three red precious stones and four precious stones green-black are enchased.
A circular money ring runs in top of the lid and another ring is in the intermediate part of the chalice. These rings are connected between them by four money wire, to which is added a red cord which carries a seal of wax-lacquer struck to the weapons of Mgr Francesco Petrarca.
Ring located in the intermediate zone of the chalice leave two curved supports, which join another metal ring circumventing the base of the chalice.
In the lower zone of the chalice several thorough formations, irregularly superimposed are, having a surface finely rough and criss-crossed by folds to varied orientation.
These formations are of color yellow-chestnut.
Once removed the red cord and the metal wire which link the lid with the body of the chalice, it was possible to me to collect Blood and to lay out it on a white linen.
I noted that they were five fragments of a solid substance of irregular form, color yellow-chestnut, presenting a chalky aspect. The surface of these formations appeared hard, with some points blanchâtres.
The consistency of Blood appeared lasts, uniform, and on the bottom of the chalice an minor amount of powder of brown color appeared, deriving obviously from Blood.
The points blanchâtres belonged to Blood, and I could exclude their parasitic or in any case foreign nature.
I then carried out the weighing of Blood, by means of a small balance provided by a pharmacy of Lanciano.
All five fragment gave a result of 15,85 G. The weighing of each fragment gave different results.
The undersigned asked S. Exc. Mgr the Archbishop to be able to take, for purposes of analysis, a small fragment of Blood. The fragment thus taken, carefully weighed at the laboratory of
Histological study of the “flesh”
(Cf Linoli, “Ricerche istologiche, immunologiche E biochimiche sulla edge E knew sangue
The small fabric fragment taken for the histological study presented to the microscope an aspect homogeneous, dense, of brownish yellow color and extremely resistant consistency.
For purposes of analysis, it was necessary to start with the rehydration, carried out according to the technique of L. Lenzi (1932) (Lenzi, “It riconoscimento istologico dei tessuti mummificati”, Boit. Acc. Pugliese di Scienze, 7,5/6, 1932). With this intention, the fragment was immersed during 36 hours in a physiological solution maintained at a temperature of 4°C. At once afterwards, it was plunged during 6 hours in alcohol with 50%, in order to “fix” the tissue components. One then carried out dehydration while making remain, during
The cuts applied to the microtome appeared an excessive thickness, which had with the great firmness of fabric even. These microtomic cuts were subjected to panoptical colorings hematin-éosine and van Giesen for conjunctive fabric, in addition to the impregnation with the money salt according to the method of Gomori for the examination of the structures of precollagene and fabric in general and coloring with the diluted hématoxylline of Delafield for the description of the transverse scratches of muscular fabric.
Moreover, some cuts carried out by Mr. Ugo Ignesti at the Institute of comparative anatomy of the
Results of the examination under the microscope
The fabric presented to the microscope identical aspects in all its areas, and of the definitely various characteristics of those of fresh fabrics, because of the not-coloring of the cores (constant phenomenon when they have been fabrics preserved, even for a few years) and of a certain homogenization of the métaplasmes due to the ageing and the chemical absence of fixing.
On the other hand, the histological conservation made it possible to arrive at conclusions of an absolute objectivity.
Waited until I could, as of the beginning, to exclude glandular epithelial nature (or of coating) from fabric being studied, it appeared obvious to me that it was about a fabric of mesodermic, constant origin in its structural aspects and without the least collagenous interstice, from where a rather homogeneous aspect.
Moreover, in spite of the imperfection of coloring, it was extremely easy to exclude on the one hand collagenous fabric, on the other hand the muscular fabric smoothes, which presents one and the other of the particular characteristics morphological, and taking into account the fact that in the case of the second should have existed a collagenous interstice differentiated good (as in the myometer).
On the contrary, the fragment being studied could be identified with certainty like a striated muscular fabric, this diagnosis resting, although the transverse scratches are not obvious, on morphological data of an indisputable value.
Indeed, the fabric is composed of muscle fibers grouped in beams various thicknesses (fig. 1,2,3) and variously directed.
The identificability of fibers is particularly remarkable at the meanest points, thus besides that in the denser areas (fig. 4,5,6), and it arises with a great clearness in the areas dissociated by microtomic cut, which makes this data a fundamental element characteristic of the fabric (fig. 7,8,9). The longitudinal fibrillary structure appeared obvious during fundamental colorings (fig. 9,10) and of the impregnation with the money salt, but never, even during coloring to the hématoxylline of Delafield, one could not highlight the transverse striation specific to striated muscular fabric, fact whose it is not necessary to be astonished if it is considered that one must necessarily proceed to a search for this order on fabrics fresh and fixed in particular liquids. Striated muscular nature was also confirmed by the coloring carried out according to the method of Ignesti: the fabric took there in major part a yellow, specific coloring of muscular fabrics.
Moreover, the muscle fibers appeared laid out in syncytial form: end of many fibers emergent clearly of the prolongations in the shape of ribbon, which connect them to the preceding or following elements, the unit carrying out a texture discontinuous, but articulated on fibers distinct and connected between them (fig. 11,12).
These results undoubtedly carry out, possible, with the identification of muscular fabric striated with the myocardium.
In many other observation fields, the density of fibers, their close friend union, the Clerc's Office of each fiber on that which is located at its end constitute a new demonstration of the syncytial nature of fabric being studied (fig. 13,14,15,16) and thus of its membership of the myocardium. It is moreover clearly observable that the fibers are not in parallel laid out one with the other, as in the muscles with smooth fibers, but that, in zones very close one to the other, they take various orientations: longitudinal, oblique, transverse. This phenomenon is extremely frequent, especially in the meanest areas (fig. 17).
I will add that in the interstice of the “Flesh” appeared a nodule isolated from greasy fabric (fig. 18) in which is inserted and lost the muscle fibers, fact which contrasts with what one knows of muscular fabrics with smooth fibers, which surround the greasy fabric without penetrating there, and which is specific to the cardiac muscle.
Lastly, I must specify that in any the histological preparations which I observed I noted the presence of substances impregnating fabric likely to be comparable with chemical elements formerly used for the conservation of the flesh.
Conclusions: the histological examination of the “Flesh” of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano made it possible to release the following data clearly:
- Striated muscular Fabric.
- Syncytiums Provision resulting from the connection of fibers with contiguous fibers thanks to small expansions in the shape of ribbon, and by junction and continuity of fiber with fiber.
- Varied Orientation of the muscle fiber beams in the same microscopic observation field.
- Penetration of muscular fabric striated in greasy a fabric nodule, opposed to a marginal peripheral provision.
The data above make it possible to specify that the examined “Flesh” is composed of muscular fabric striated with the myocardium.
I must add that this opinion is also that of Professor Ruggero Bertelli, professor emeritus of histology at the university of His, with which I discussed on several occasions to have confirmation of the objectivity and the certainty absolute of the histological aspects raised in Fabric, some notable that are the transformations that it underwent because of the damage caused by time.
Research carried out on “Blood”
“Blood” is presented in the form of solid clusters, of brownish color chestnut, of compact aspect, homogeneous and vaguely granular, of very firm consistency. The examination under the microscope related to a very small fragment.
This small fragment of “Blood” was réhydraté, by immersion during 72 hours in a physiological solution maintained at the temperature of + 4°C. It was then fixed in alcohol with 60% during 12 hours, then partly dehydrated by fast baths (1-2 H) in increasingly concentrated alcohols (80%, 95 and 100%). One then sought to clarify the fragment by immersing it during 48 hours in an oil bath of cedar. One finally proceeded to inclusion in paraffin and the cut with the microtome.
Results of the examination under the microscope
Coloring with the hématoxylline-éosine does not reveal any cellular element, but in all the observation fields one notes the presence of fabric not structured, filamentous, sometimes réticulé, seldom granulated, with meshs of various width, generally small, evoking fibrin. These meshs contain, in a diffuse way, a granulous substance or finely granitée, of greenish color yellow, which suggests that it derives from hemoglobin. One also notes the presence of some foreign bodies such as granitées or filamentous formations of irregular form.
Microchemical examination
a) Seek derivatives of hemoglobin: hydrochlorate of hematin and hemochromogene
To seek the derivatives of hemoglobin, the traditional microchemical techniques were used: reagent of Teichmann modified by Bertrand for the hematin hydrochlorate and reagent of Takayama for hemochromogene.
For the research of the hematin hydrochlorate, a very small piece of Blood was placed on a blade slide, was diluted, as far as possible, in 2-3 drops of reagent of Bertrand and was covered with a plate cover-glass.
In parallel, a sample of human blood desiccated intentionally was treated same manner, as control.
By slightly heating with the flame this blood-control and by observing it under the microscope, one noted the presence of very many crystals in the shape of needle or plate of dark color brown, characteristic of the hematin hydrochlorate. In “Blood”, on the other hand, one did not observe crystals.
The research of alkaline hemochromogene was made same manner, with the reagent of Takayama.
In blood-control, one noted the presence of many curved formations of red color orange, characteristic of hemochromogene. In Blood, on the other hand, the result was entirely negative.
Conclusions: the positive character of the tests for the hematin hydrochlorate or hemochromogene has a decisive indicative value for the identification of blood. But their negative character is without substantial value, owing to the fact that the pigment of blood can lose the capacity to give hydrochlorate crystals of hematin and hemochromogene in consequence of various phenomena such as the putrefaction, an high temperature, the action of solar light, acids and alkalis, oxidizing substances, salts metal, etc
In examined “Blood”, the corrosive action of time, light of the furnace bridge, the slow oxidation operated by the air, can be considered as causes negativity of the tests for the hematin hydrochlorate and hemochromogene.
b) Seek oxydases
One sought the presence of oxydases in one blood drops in suspension deposited on an absorbing paper disc.
For this purpose, one dropped on the spot the reagents from the test from Stone and Burke (Stone and Burke, J. amndt med. Ass. 102,1549,1934) with ortho-toluidine, very sensitive to reveal the oxydases.
Blood immediately reacted by a spot of blue color, proving thus that it had oxydases.
Conclusions: the value of the oxydases for the identification of Blood is large, but it is not absolute. Indeed, the reaction is not characteristic of Blood, since it can be caused with fabrics containing of the leavens, and even with vegetable or mineral extracts finely subdivided.
The positive test obtained does not direct any less towards one possible hematic nature of examined material.
Chromatographic analysis
Because of the examined material morphology, in all points far away from blood, and negativity of the tests to hemin and hemochromogene, one considered to be necessary, to affirm the hematic nature of the studied substance, to look further into the examination thanks to the chromatography.
For this purpose, the liquid of dilution of “Blood” was subjected to a chromatographic examination according to the technique of Fiori (In Franchini, Manuale di Tecnica medico-legal, 1968), the paper proposed by this author being replaced by the technique in thin layer, more sensitive and precise.
Moreover, the maceration of “Blood” in soda (alkaline hematin) appeared in fact more effective than the maceration in hydrochloric acid. The identification of blood by chromatography on paper or in thin layer is carried out by the observation of displacement, after the passage in room chromatographic, of known standards (hematin, alkaline or oxyhaemoglobine) and of an unknown sample, in fact the Blood of the Eucharistique Miracle.
On a Silica gel plate of 20 X 20 cm, were deposited, on the starting line (fig. 19):
- 5 µl of oxyhaemoglobine (noted OZ), obtained by dilution of 200 µl of normal blood in 4 ml of ammonia with 0,04%, according to the technique suggested by Dacie (Dacie, Manuale di tecnica ematologica, Piccin Cd., 1957). A later dilution of 1 ml in 50 ml of ammonia appeared useful for purposes of the chromatography;
- 5 alkaline hematin µl (noted NaOH), obtained by dilution of 500 µl of normal blood in 4,95 ml of NaOH 0,1 NR, range with boiling with the bain-marie during 3 mn exactly then quickly cooled, as indicated by Dacie (ibid). A later dilution of 1 ml in 50 ml of soda appeared useful for purposes of the chromatigraphy;
- 50 alkaline hematin µl (noted C), obtained by dilution of 500 µl of suspension of “Blood” in water distilled in 0,60 ml of NaOH 0,1 NR, range with boiling with the bain-marie during 3 mn and quickly cooled. No later dilution appeared useful in this case, the chromatographic spots being too not very obvious or absent.
The liquid used for the chromatographic test was methanol-acid acetic-water in proportion 90/3/7.
The experiment lasted 90 mn. The level of solvent was marked, then one proceeded to the description of the spots by sprinkling of a benzidine solution in the acetic acid and at once after hydrogen peroxide with 3%.
Figure 19 shows the perfect alignment of the spots, which have the same RF (= 0,88).
The interpretation of the test is infallible: the test is perfectly renewable, and in this case she was repeated three times of continuation, with standards and a new sample.
Conclusion: The chromatographic analysis in thin layer shows with an absolute certainty that the solid, definite material “Blood of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano”, is true blood, and such an assertion constitutes an definitive answer and indisputable with the put question.
Chromatographic analysis
Because of the examined material morphology, in all points far away from blood, and negativity of the tests to hemin and hemochromogene, one considered to be necessary, to affirm the hematic nature of the studied substance, to look further into the examination thanks to the chromatography.
For this purpose, the liquid of dilution of “Blood” was subjected to a chromatographic examination according to the technique of Fiori (In Franchini, Manuale di Tecnica medico-legal, 1968), the paper proposed by this author being replaced by the technique in thin layer, more sensitive and precise.
Moreover, the maceration of “Blood” in soda (alkaline hematin) appeared in fact more effective than the maceration in hydrochloric acid. The identification of blood by chromatography on paper or in thin layer is carried out by the observation of displacement, after the passage in room chromatographic, of known standards (hematin, alkaline or oxyhaemoglobine) and of an unknown sample, in fact the Blood of the Eucharistique Miracle.
On a Silica gel plate of 20 X 20 cm, were deposited, on the starting line (fig. 19):
- 5 µl of oxyhaemoglobine (noted OZ), obtained by dilution of 200 µl of normal blood in 4 ml of ammonia with 0,04%, according to the technique suggested by Dacie (Dacie, Manuale di tecnica ematologica, Piccin Cd., 1957). A later dilution of 1 ml in 50 ml of ammonia appeared useful for purposes of the chromatography;
- 5 alkaline hematin µl (noted NaOH), obtained by dilution of 500 µl of normal blood in 4,95 ml of NaOH 0,1 NR, range with boiling with the bain-marie during 3 mn exactly then quickly cooled, as indicated by Dacie (ibid). A later dilution of 1 ml in 50 ml of soda appeared useful for purposes of the chromatigraphy;
- 50 alkaline hematin µl (noted C), obtained by dilution of 500 µl of suspension of “Blood” in water distilled in 0,60 ml of NaOH 0,1 NR, range with boiling with the bain-marie during 3 mn and quickly cooled. No later dilution appeared useful in this case, the chromatographic spots being too not very obvious or absent.
The liquid used for the chromatographic test was methanol-acid acetic-water in proportion 90/3/7.
The experiment lasted 90 mn. The level of solvent was marked, then one proceeded to the description of the spots by sprinkling of a benzidine solution in the acetic acid and at once after hydrogen peroxide with 3%.
Figure 19 shows the perfect alignment of the spots, which have the same RF (= 0,88).
The interpretation of the test is infallible: the test is perfectly renewable, and in this case she was repeated three times of continuation, with standards and a new sample.
Conclusion: The chromatographic analysis in thin layer shows with an absolute certainty that the solid, definite material “Blood of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano”, is true blood, and such an assertion constitutes an definitive answer and indisputable with the put question.
Immunological study aiming at determining with which species belong the “Flesh” and “Blood”
A question of fundamental importance arises when a fabric is studied, secular object of veneration: to which species does belong it, and can one exclude that it is about an animal fabric?
To answer this question, one immersed 10 Mg approximately “Flesh” during forty-eight hours in maintained physiological solution at temperature of refrigeration; at once after, the fragment of “Flesh” and the liquid were transferred in a small homogenizer from Potter in order to split up fabric and to give off the antigens which were contained there.
The liquid which is resulted from it, slightly opalescent, was transferred in a test-tube from 12 X 120 mm and was used for the present study.
To proceed to a similar research on “Blood”, one immersed small fragments in a physiological solution during forty-eight hours, at temperature of refrigeration. With a thin spatula of glass, one obtained the fragmentation of “Blood”, the liquid supernatant presenting a turbid aspect, of color yellow-chestnut. After filtering with paper, this liquid was used for the present study.
The immunological method most valid proved to be the reaction of Uhlenhuth (Uhlenhuth, Dt. med. Wschr. 27,1901, pp. 499-501), rather than the immunodiffusion recommended by Outchterlony (Outchterlony, Handbook of Immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis, Ann Arbor Publ Science., 1968) considering impossibility where one was to determine as a preliminary the optimal quantities of the antigen and the antisérum to be used in the reaction, as proposed by Piazzi (Piazzi, in Analyt. Biochem. 27,1969, pp. 281-284), because of the exiguity of materials available.
The reaction of zonal precipitation of Uhlenhuth was prepared according to the traditional method, universally adopted.
Figures 20 and 21 show the results of the reaction of zonal precipitation of “Blood” (test-tube n° 1) and of the “Flesh” (test-tube n° 2). On figure 20 are reproduced moreover the test-tubes of control Nos 3,4,5 and 6, and on figure the 21 test-tubes n°8 3,5,6 and 7.
For the reaction reproduced on figure 20, one used Pasteur pipettes, employed in serology to obtain more marked images of zonal precipitation, and allowing at the same time to save rare materials, as it was the case.
On the other hand, for the reaction reproduced on figure 21, one used of all small test-tubes made for the circumstance.
Manner of proceeding. At the bottom of the small test-tubes n° 1 and n° 2 of figures 20 and 21, one deposited serum precipitating anti-man of the Behringwercke house. Above the serum, one placed carefully a little of the liquid of suspension of “Blood” (test-tube n° 1) and of the “Flesh” (test-tube n° 2 of figures 20 and 21).
The phenomenon of zonal precipitation in the shape of ring occurred very quickly, into 5 mn approximately, and in a clearly visible way, as one can note it on figures 20 and 21.
- the test-tube n° 3 appearing out of the two figures (positive control) contains, at the bottom, of the serum precipitating anti-man covered with diluted normal human serum with 1/100. The result of the zonal reaction of precipitation is positive.
- The test-tube n° 4 (negative control) contains normal diluted rabbit serum with 1/100 covered with liquid of suspension of Blood. The reaction is clearly negative.
- The test-tube n° 5 (negative control) contains normal diluted rabbit serum, covered with liquid of suspension of the Flesh. The result is clearly negative (fig. 20 and 21).
- The test-tube n° 6 (negative control) contains, at the bottom, of the serum precipitating anti-man of the Behringwercke house, covered with diluted ox serum with 1/100. In the two figures, the result is clearly negative.
- The test-tube n° 7 (negative control) contains, at the bottom, of the serum precipitating anti-man covered with physiological solution. The result appears negative (this control was omitted at the time of the test illustrated by figure 20).
Conclusions: The reaction of zonal precipitation of Uhlenhuth is of frequent use in the medico-legal and immunological field for the determination of the species to which a fabric belongs, and for several decades the results have been taken of it, because of many controls which it comprises and which exclude in a categorical way the possibility of reactions of aspecific precipitations.
In the particular case which interests us, the reaction of Uhlenhuth shows in an absolutely obvious way the immunological meeting which was done between the serum precipitating anti-man commercial and the antigens still present in “Blood” (test-tube n° 1) and in the “Flesh” (No 2), during two distinct experiments, carried out in different days.
On such bases, one can affirm without risk to raise criticisms the Human nature of “Blood” and “Flesh” of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano.
Determination of the blood group
Modern knowledge in immuno-hematology makes it possible to specify the blood group (system ABO) to which belong of out-of-date and faded fabrics and the various liquids of the organization, thanks to particular techniques which do not use, as it is of rule, red globules or serum of the blood of the subject examined like substrate for the reaction.
During these last years, because of its characteristics of sensitivity and precision, continued especially the reaction of “absorption-dilution”, proposed in 1923 by Siracusa and improved in 1963 by Fiori and its collaborators.
This reaction is based on the concept that the agglutinant antibodies related to the antigen can about it be detached by warming with 56° and that the antibodies thus released can react on homologous red globules which highlight the reaction.
Manner of proceeding. To determine the blood group, two small absorbing paper bands of 1 X 0,4 cm were immersed in the liquid of maceration of “Blood” and two others, in the liquid of maceration of the “Flesh”, then maintained for one night at temperature of refrigeration.
At once afterwards, the small paper bands were taken, hardly let dry with the air and were immersed during 20 mn in absolute methanol, so that the antigens are fixed on paper. The two bands were then dried with room temperature during a few minutes, then réhydratées by short immersion in a bath of physiological solution.
The two strips coming from “Blood” were deposited at the bottom of two numbered test-tubes has and B. One operated in the same way for the “Flesh”, and the test-tubes were marked A/1 and B/1.
In the test-tubes “Blood has” and A/1 of the “Flesh” were introduced some drops of anti-HAVe agglutinant serum of the Ortho house, until paper is covered with it.
In the test-tubes B of “Blood” and B/1 of the “Flesh” one deposited anti-B agglutinant serum.
Two other test-tubes of control were prepared (Ca and c-b); they contained small paper bands treated like previously, except for the contact with “Blood” and the “Flesh”.
All the test-tubes were maintained for 12 hours at temperature of refrigeration. One then proceeded, with a cooled physiological solution, with a careful washing of the test-tubes and strips having been useful for the tests and control, in order to move away any trace from the nondependant agglutinant serum, fact proven by the disappearance of the agglutinant capacity of the liquid of washing on red blood corpuscles of the homologous group.
This point, the strips of paper has and B of “Blood” and A/1 and B/1 of the “Flesh”, as well as the strips of control Ca and c-b, were deposited in test-tubes containing 0,30 ml of physiological solution and are remained there immersed during l0 mn in a heated wet chamber with 56°C, in order to cause the detachment of the agglutinant antibodies possibly adhering to the antigens present on paper.
Lastly, the liquid containing the antibodies thus released was transferred in small carefully marked test-tubes of 7 X 70 mm.
In the test-tubes has “Blood”, A/1 of the “Flesh” and Ca of control, one added two drops of suspension of human red globules of the group has to 2%; in the test-tubes B, B/1 and c-b one added two drops of suspension of human red globules of the group B to 2%.
After a few minutes of contact to room temperature, the test-tubes were centrifuged with 1000 tpm during 1 mn.
The red blood corpuscle sediment, extract of the bottom of the small test-tubes by side agitation, was observed with the agglutinoscope.
In the test-tubes has and B, drifting contact with “Blood”, one observed a clear agglutination of red blood corpuscles, in cluster of various nature. The same phenomenon was checked in the test-tubes A/1 and B/1 of the “Flesh” (fig. 22,23).
In the test-tubes of control Ca and c-b, no agglutination was observed.
Conclusions the result can be summarized as follows: the paper bands put in contact with the liquid of dilution of “Blood” and the “Flesh” absorbed the antigens (agglutinogens); those, thereafter, were put in contact with the anti-HAVe and anti-B agglutinant antibodies, which bound to the aforesaid antigens.
The release of the antibodies by bath with 56 °C and the later agglutination of homologous red blood corpuscles prove the presence in “Blood” and in the “agglutinogen Flesh” has and B.
Consequently, the delicate immunohematologic test makes it possible to affirm in all objectivity and certainty that “Blood” and the “Flesh” of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano belong to same blood group AB.
It should be stressed here that the identity of the blood group of blood and the flesh can indicate the membership of blood and the flesh to only one and even nobody, but also with two people distinct from the same blood group.
Later studies on “Blood”
a) Electrophoresis of proteins
The electrophoresis of plasmatic proteins on acetate according to the technique of Kohn makes it possible to insulate in separate fractions the various components, according to the difference in speed of the migrations in an electric field and on a suitable support; these fractions thus isolated allow a quantitative determination of each one of them.
For the electrophoretic study, an minor amount of “Blood” was suspended in water distilled to carry in suspension proteins.
In order to obtain a greater concentration of proteins, one carried out during 6 H the dialysis of 0,50 ml of liquid in a microcuve Colover against carbowax. The liquid was some concentrated five times, and with the few drops which could be collected one proceeded, according to the usual technique, with the électrophorégrammes. The thin traces obtained on several occasions were made more obvious and better appreciable with photometry, by deposit on acetate of some drops of liquid at the same point on the starting line.
The electrophoresis lasted 30 mn, with Véronal a sodic plug of pH 8,6, under a potential difference of 0,5 my. At the end, the acetate band was coloured with Ponceau S, then drained, made transparent and read with the Cromoscan photometer.
Figure 24 reveals the presence of a superposable layout to that of fresh human blood, with clear prevalence of albumins (61,93%) which follows a weak peak of the globulines alpha-1 (2,38%) and that of the globulines alpha-2 (7,14%); then the globulines beta (7,14%) and the globulines gamma (21,4%) appear.
It is truly admirable that proteins collected in a blood of so old date provide an electrophoretic trace presenting a profile specific to the fresh serum, and who preserves the percentage of the various identifiable fractions at the normal values of the normal diagram seroproteic.
Conclusion: the electrophoretic layout obtained, after concentration of proteins by way of dialysis, appears of absolutely normal type and contributes to still define better the profile of the true Blood of the Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano.
b) Proportioning of calcium, chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
For the chemical analysis of the mineral components, one carried out pulverization in a mortar of an minor amount of “Blood”, which one weighed 100 exactly of them Mg. The powder was deposited in a graduated conical test-tube stopped with emery, in lequelle one added 1 ml of distilled water.
Thus réhydraté, the sample was maintained, well sealed, during 96 hours at a temperature of + 4°C, periodically agitated and time with other deferred to the water surface of dilution with a thin spatula of glass in order to make possible the extraction of the greatest number possible of mineral components.
For purposes of control, samples of blood of normal subjects of various ages were desiccated in a thermostat with 37 °C (and periodically with 50 °C) during several weeks, in order to obtain a complete desiccation and to have a blood comparable with examined “Blood”. For each sample, 100 Mg of hematic dust were carried in solution in 1 ml of distilled water.
Same manner, one proceeded to the desiccation of a standard of normal serum of Hyland control, and of a standard of special serum of Hyland control, whose components were noted on the label attached to the bottles, in order to have values of reference exact for the photometric and titrimetric determinations to carry out on “Blood”.
Of the two desiccated and pulverized serums, 100 Mg were carried in suspension in 1 ml of distilled water. At the end of the period of 96 H, one added in the test-tube of “Blood”, in the 10 test-tubes of normal blood and in the 2 test-tubes of serum of control, 1 ml of trichloracetic acid with 10%, to cause deproteinization. The surviving substance was used such as it is for the determination of chlorides and phosphorus. For all the other experiments, one diluted 1 ml of the substance surviving in 5 ml of distilled water.
The determination of calcium and magnesium was carried out with the spectrophotometer in atomic absorption SP 90 Unicam. For the determination of potassium and sodium, it was necessary to dilute (final dilution more, 1: 250). The reading was carried out with the photometer with flame EEL. Phosphorus was given according to the method of Golden delicious and Fernandez (Golden delicious and Fernandez, in Covering joint. Chem. 92,1966, p. 871. Cf Siracusa, in arch. Annropol, crim. Psichiatr. Med. . 43,1923, pp. 362-365), and the chlorides were it according to the method of Schales and Schales (Schales and Schales, in J. Biol. Chem. 140,1941, p. 879).
The table hereafter gives the values of minerals found in “Blood” and desiccated normal whole bloods of control. The values were calculated on the basis of standard serum Hyland.
|
Echantillon |
Ca |
Cl |
P |
Mg |
K |
Na |
|
Sang de Lanciano |
114.20 |
2.25 |
1.99 |
0.96 |
5.76 |
46.44 |
|
Sang n°1 |
4.42 |
31.8 |
8.42 |
1.57 |
12.80 |
55.04 |
|
Sang n°2 |
3.96 |
30.75 |
8.37 |
1.52 |
12.16 |
48.16 |
|
Sang n°3 |
3.73 |
31.5 |
8.75 |
1.15 |
14.08 |
48.16 |
|
Sang n°4 |
4.66 |
43.2 |
8.10 |
1.39 |
5.12 |
116.9 |
|
Sang n°5 |
3.73 |
37.7 |
9.72 |
1.39 |
4.80 |
99.76 |
|
Sang n°6 |
3.26 |
31.76 |
8.42 |
1.54 |
3.84 |
79.12 |
|
Sang n°7 |
4.89 |
35.2 |
9.07 |
1.82 |
4.00 |
65.36 |
|
Sang n°8 |
3.96 |
36.0 |
10.0 |
1.66 |
4.16 |
68.8 |
|
Sang n°9 |
3.82 |
34.4 |
9.55 |
1.34 |
4.00 |
79.12 |
|
Sang n°10 |
3.35 |
32.8 |
9.47 |
1.64 |
3.84 |
73.96 |
|
Moyenne arithm. |
3.97 |
34.51 |
8.98 |
1.50 |
6.88 |
73.43 |
|
Valeurs normales |
9-11 |
77-90.6 |
28-48 |
1.7-3.4 |
43 |
85 |
(voir Tables scientifiques, Documents Geigy, 6e édition, pp. 582-585)
This table makes it possible to pose the following conclusions:
1) During the process of slow desiccation of normal whole human blood at a temperature of 37-50 °C, significant losses occurred in contents of phosphorus, chlorides and potassium, and the not very important losses in sodium and magnesium contents, compared to the known normal values for whole blood
2) “Blood” appeared carrying chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium, in quantities reduced compared to the normal, but relatively not very different from the quantities raised in the samples of desiccated normal human blood. Taking into account this fact, one can say that, as a whole, the components of “Blood” were maintained through the centuries in a way nondifferent from blood of desiccated control.
The quantitative reductions of minerals must be allotted either to processes of ageing or with the “exchanges” which are usually carried out between the substances and the walls of glass of the container. Such reactions generally cause a loss of the substance contained, but one cannot exclude an increase, as it can be occurred for calcium; calcium falls of the wall in the chalice containing Blood are not incredible besides.
It is there a well-known phenomenon in chemistry, and it can be necessary to use, for the conservation of graduated solutions, of the containers not of glass but of plastic. On the other hand, the calcium contents strongly increased (114,20 Mg).
Final considerations
The research results carried out on the fragments of “Blood” and “Flesh” that the antique Christian tradition and the veneration of the generations transmitted to us under the name of Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano can be summarized as follows:
The “blood” of the Eucharistique Miracle is true blood and the “Flesh” of the true flesh.
The Flesh consists of cardiac muscular fabric.
Blood and the Flesh belong to the mankind.
Blood and the Flesh belong to the same blood group, which tends to prove that they come from only one and even nobody, the possibility remaining nevertheless which they come from two different individuals belonging to the same blood group.
The proteins contained in Blood are normally distributed, in a report/ratio of percentage identical to that of the diagram seroproteic of normal fresh blood.
One found in the Blood of chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium in reduced quantity, as well as calcium in superabundant quantity.
I must reconsider here the histological diagnosis which concluded to identify the Flesh of Lanciano with a fragment of myocardium.
The illustrations which accompany this text are enough in themselves to confirm this diagnosis, irrefutable in spite of the limitations of the coloring of fabric.
But so even one wanted to draw aside this complementary evidence and to begin again by other ways the reasoning diagnoses differential, one could arrive to no other interpretation.
Foreign undoubtedly on the task which was entrusted to me, a reflection is essential on me after completion my work. The results of my examinations, in particular with regard to the nature of the Flesh, make not very plausible the assumption of a “forgery” operated in the last centuries. Indeed, to suppose that one took the heart of a corpse, I affirm that only an expert hand in anatomical dissection could have obtained a uniform “section” of a hollow internal organ (as one can still foresee it on the “Flesh”) and tangential on the surface of this internal organ, as gives rise to think the course prévalamment longitudinal of the muscle fiber beams, visible in several points in the histological preparations.
Moreover, if Blood had been taken on a corpse, it would quickly have deteriorated, by deliquescence or putrefaction.
On this subject, I still make a point of repeating that no histological section revealed the trace of infiltrations of salts or preserving substances used even in antiquity for purposes of momification.
Lastly, my duty is to specify that the conservation of proteins and minerals observed in the Flesh and the Blood of Lanciano is neither impossible nor exceptional: analyzes repeated on several occasions made it possible to find proteins in Egyptian mummies going back to 4.000 years (Hansemann (Verh. physiol. Ges. Berl., 1904)) and 5.000 years (Meyer (Münch. med. Wschr. 51,1904, pp. 663-664)). But it should be stressed that the case of a body momifié thanks to the known processes is quite different from that of a fragment of myocardium left in a natural state during centuries, exposed to the action of atmospheric and biochemical physical agents.
UNIVERSITY OF HIS
Professor Odoardo Linoli, Chief of and the clinical pathological anatomy analysis laboratory of the Hospital “Santa Maria Sopra I Ponti” of Arezzo, subjected to my evaluation a series of histological preparations obtained starting from a fragment by him taken, it formally declared me, on a Holy Host preserved in a church of Lanciano.
The examination of the blades led me to conclude that the microscopic sections which are contained there are consisted a fabric of mesodermic nature and, more precisely, by a striated muscular fabric.
Although in the preparations neither the cores are visible nor the transverse striature of the histological elements, the specific measure of the latter, which are juxtaposed and grouped in posts, encourages to pose this diagnosis.
If one wants to carry out a thorough analysis, the pace of the fascicule of muscle fibreses, which intersect in various plans and in different directions, the ones being divided in the direction length and the others in the transverse direction, as well as the presence of anastomotic areas between each fiber, observable where the vision is facilitated by the dissociation of the beams in their components, direct the diagnosis towards a muscular fabric myocardic.
In witness whereof…
Professor Ruggero Bertelli
Professor emeritus of histology
POSTFACE
I hope to have contributed to the realization of a work of spiritual, scientific and historical demonstration, based not on my own sensitivity but on abundant data by the invaluable documents which were communicated to me, and to have delivered to the public a work serious, animated great love which binds me to the infinite world of the spirit and with the deep passion which leads me beyond the threshold of the rational one, of the surface measurement, where one feels God, where leads us, at the end of the human life, all the desire which we have to know the great mystery of the vastness, in all the directions of the term, which is the Life even. The Miracle Eucharistique de Lanciano is not only one proof that one will consider and meditate to gather the fruits of the interior truth; it is over a a whole invitation, soft but pressing, to remind the mysterious and infinitely significant sacrifice which Jesus for the redemption of the man and the assertion highest undergoes and sublimates spiritual truth: God.
With the atheists I wish the true meditation, with the believers the joy and the prayer, with those who suffer the hope and the faith, with the rationalists to give up a measurement who appears always too short…
B.S.
BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. HISTORICAL PART
Manuscripts.
Delle Antinori A.L., Libro Memorie, Files capitulary, Lanciano.
Di delle Giorgio C., Cronache chiese di Lanciano, communal Library, Lanciano.
Pollidoro P., De Oppidis Frentanorum, communal Library, Lanciano.
Printed.
Antinori A.L., Antichità storico-critiche, profane sacring E, esaminate nella regione dei Frentani… dated in luce dall' abb. Domenico Romanelli,
Fella G., Chronologia civitatis Lancianensis, posthumous Work,
Bocache O., Storia di Lanciano,
Pacichelli G.B., Memorie dei viaggi per Europa cristiana,
Pacichelli G.B., Lettere famigliari,
G bandaged., It rito giudaico della profanazione dell' Ostia E it ciclo della “Passion” in Abruzzo,
Pargoire J., the
Ridolfi P., Historia Seraphicae Religionis,
Rodota P., Dell' origin, progressed E stato presents LED quoted greco in Italia, osservato dai Monaci basiliani ED albanesi,
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Sergiacomi G., It Miracolo Eucaristico di Offida, Ascoli Picena, 1967. Spigone E., Colloqui Eucaristici, Lanciano, 1959.
Ughelli F., Italia Crowned,
B. LEFT SCIENTIFIC
Chiarugi G., Istituzioni di anatomia dell' Uomo,
Dacie A., Monuale di tecnica ematologica, Padoue, 1957.
Fiori A., Marigo Mr. and Benciolini P., “Modified absorption-elution method of Siracusa for ABO and MN grouping of blood strains”, J. forens. Sci. 8,1963, pp. 419-426.
Franchini A., Medicina legal in materia penal, Padoue, 1966. Golden delicious and Fernandez, Covering joint. Chem. 92,1966, p. 871.
Gradwohl R.B.H., Clinical laboratory Methods and Diagnosis, 6° éd.,
Hansemann, Verh. physiol. These. Berl., 1904.
Henry R.I., Clinical Chemistry,
Lenzi A., “It riconoscimento istologico dei tessuti mummificati”, Boll. Ace. Pugliese di Sci. 7,1932, pp. 5-6.
Linoli O., Ricerche istologiche, imrnunologiche E biochimiche sulla edge E sul sangue
Meger J., Milnch. med. Wschr. 51,1904,663-664.
Outchterlony A., Handbook of Immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis,
Piazzi S.E., “has simple method for preliminary immunodiffusion test of antigen-anti body systems having unknown ratio of reaction”, Analyt. Biochem. 27,1969, pp. 281-284.
Schales and Schales, J. Biol. Chem. 140,1941, p. 879.
Siracusa V., “the sostanza isoagglutinabile LED sangue E sweated it dimostrazione per the delle diagnosi individuale macchie”, arch. Anthropol. crim. Psichiair. Med. leg. 43,1923, pp. 362-365.
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