The Blood-Stained Cloth: The Astonishing Miracle of Gruaro

The Miracle of 1294

In 1294, a profound Eucharistic miracle occurred in the town of Gruaro, Italy. A woman was washing one of the altar linens from the Church of St. Giusto in the public washhouse of Versiola when she noticed that the cloth had become tinged with blood. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the blood was flowing from a consecrated particle that had mistakenly remained among the folds of the cloth.

Documentation and Historical Context

One of the most authoritative documents describing this miracle comes from local historian Antonio Nicoletti in 1765. The relic of this miracle is currently kept in the Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ in Valvasone. However, the miracle itself took place in Gruaro.

Frightened by the inexplicable event, the woman immediately alerted the local pastor, who then informed Bishop Giacomo di Ottonello of Concordia. The bishop, after learning of the miracle, wished to keep the cloth in his cathedral. However, the pastor of Gruaro and the family of the Counts of Valvasone, patrons of the churches in Gruaro and Valvasone, wanted to retain the cloth. Unable to reach an agreement, they sought recourse with the Holy See. Ultimately, Rome permitted the Counts to keep the relic on the condition that they build a church dedicated to the Most Holy Body of Christ. The construction of this church was completed in 1483.

Papal Decree and Relic Preservation

The oldest and most authoritative document describing the miracle is a decree from Pope Nicholas V, written in 1454. This decree also changed the title of the parish church, formerly St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist, to the Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ on March 28, 1454. Today, the cloth is preserved in a crystal cylinder, held by a precious silver reliquary crafted by master artisan Antonio Calligari.

Commemoration and Celebrations

The celebration of the Holy Cloth is commemorated on the fifth Thursday of Lent, marking the end of days of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with the participation of priests and the community of Valvasone. During the celebration of Corpus Christi, the reliquary is carried in procession along with the Most Blessed Sacrament, continuing the tradition of reverence and awe inspired by this miraculous event.