The Miracle of the Bloodstained Host: A Testament of Christ’s Presence

A Morning Mass Unveils the Divine

It was a quiet spring morning on May 10, 1718, in the modest chapel of Opera Pia Milliavacca. The air was still, and the flickering candles cast gentle shadows as Father Francesco Scotto began celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The congregation was small, split into two sections: the faithful gathered in the front pews, and the boarding students who prayed in the rear of the church. At precisely 8:00 AM, the most solemn moment of the Mass arrived—the elevation of the consecrated Host.

As Father Scotto raised the Eucharist above the altar, a sense of wonder stirred among the congregation. Dr. Scipione Alessandro Ambrogio, a notary public seated near the altar, leaned forward, his sharp eye catching an extraordinary sight. The sacred Host, which moments before appeared whole and pristine, was now split into two distinct pieces, its surface streaked with vivid red stains.

A hushed murmur spread through the chapel as astonished witnesses, including the students in the back, strained to see the miracle unfolding before them. Dr. Ambrogio, deeply unsettled yet mindful of his role as a notary, moved quickly to retrieve another consecrated Host from the tabernacle. To the shock of all present, the second Host, too, bore the same inexplicable stains of blood.

The Testimony of Faith

Word of the miraculous occurrence spread rapidly, attracting the attention of ecclesiastical authorities. In 1841, Monsignor Filippo Artico, the Bishop of Asti, undertook a formal investigation of the event. He carefully examined the sacred cup and the consecrated Host, confirming that the reddish stains were of mysterious origin. Though time had not been kind to the relics, with signs of poor preservation evident, the Bishop affirmed the authenticity of the testimonies and recognized the event as a profound Eucharistic miracle.

A Legacy of Wonder and Devotion

The miraculous Hosts of Asti, though no longer physically intact, left an indelible mark on the faith of the community. Over the centuries, the Opera Pia Milliavacca became a site of pilgrimage, with the faithful gathering annually to commemorate the divine mystery. Pilgrims from near and far come to honor the miracle, reflecting on the enduring truth of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist.

Even today, the story of the bloodied Host serves as a testament to the sacred mysteries of the Mass and the abiding power of the Eucharist. This miracle, witnessed by humble students and documented by esteemed notaries, continues to inspire faith and devotion, drawing countless souls closer to the heart of Christ.