Blood in the Prayer Book: The Astonishing Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia

The Incident

In 1330, in the town of Cascia, a gravely ill peasant requested Communion from a local priest. However, the priest, displaying carelessness and apathy, did not use a ciborium to carry the Eucharist. Instead, he placed a consecrated Host irreverently inside his prayer book. Upon reaching the peasant’s house and opening the book, the priest was astonished to find that the Host had transformed into a clot of blood, staining the pages.

The Aftermath

The priest, overwhelmed with confusion and repentance, immediately traveled to Siena to seek counsel from Fr. Simone Fidati of Cascia, a revered Augustinian known for his holiness. After hearing the account, Fr. Fidati absolved the priest and kept the blood-stained pages as relics. These relics are now preserved in the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia.

Papal Recognition and Veneration

The relic of the Eucharistic miracle gained significant recognition over the centuries. Several Popes promoted its veneration, granting indulgences to the faithful who honored it. The relic was officially recognized in 1687, with documentation from an ancient code of the Priory of St. Augustine detailing the miracle.

Annual Commemoration

The Communal Statutes of Cascia from 1387 mandate that every year on the Feast of Corpus Christi, the town's authorities, councils, and people gather at the Church of St. Augustine. They follow a procession led by a priest carrying the relic of the Most Holy Body of Christ through the city.

The Sixth Centenary Celebration

In 1930, to mark the sixth centenary of the miracle, a Eucharistic Congress was held in Cascia for the entire Diocese of Norcia. A precious and artistic monstrance was consecrated, and the complete historical documentation of the miracle was published, further solidifying the event's significance in Catholic history.