Italy Morrovalle (1560)

The Fire-Proof Host: Morrovalle's Astonishing Eucharistic Miracle

In 1560, a devastating fire engulfed the Franciscan church in Morrovalle, yet miraculously spared a consecrated Host, which remained intact despite the flames. Discovered days later in a scorched pyx by Father Battista da Ascoli, the Host was immediately recognized as a miracle. Pope Pius IV authenticated the event, declaring annual feasts with plenary indulgences. Today, Morrovalle honors this miraculous event with the title "Civitas Eucharistica" and continues to celebrate the Host that defied fire.

The Fire of 1560

In Morrovalle, at around two o'clock in the morning on April 17, 1560, during the octave of Easter, Brother Angelo Blasi was startled awake by the sound of violent crackling. Looking out of his cell window, he saw the church completely engulfed in flames. He quickly alerted the other brothers, and after seven hours, the fire was finally brought under control.

Discovery of the Miraculous Host

In the following days, the Franciscans began clearing the massive pile of ruins. On April 27, Father Battista da Ascoli discovered a pyx in a wall cavity while removing a piece of marble from what used to be the main altar. The pyx's corporal was scorched, but the consecrated Host inside was still intact and in good condition. Father Battista shouted in astonishment at the sight, and many people immediately gathered to witness the miracle. For three days, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for public adoration. When Franciscan provincial Father Evangelista da Morro d'Alba arrived, the miraculous Host was placed in an ivory case.

Papal Investigation and Recognition

Pope Pius IV sent Bishop Ludovico di Forli of Bertinoro to Morrovalle to investigate the authenticity of the event. After receiving the bishop's account, Pope Pius IV judged the occurrence to be of supernatural origin and authorized public devotion with the Bull "Holy Roman Church" in 1560. The Bull proclaimed the anniversaries of the fire and the discovery of the sacred Host (April 17 and 27) as feasts with plenary indulgences, locally known as the feasts "of the two pardons." Due to the influx of faithful attending the celebrations, the church was later expanded.

Legacy and Commemoration

In 1960, Morrovalle celebrated the fourth centenary of the Eucharistic miracle. The city council unanimously decided to place the inscription "Civitas Eucharistica" (Eucharistic City) at Morrovalle's main gate in honor of the miracle. Today, the feasts are celebrated with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the pyx of the main altar. The plenary indulgences, or "pardons," are available at the Church of Saint Bartholomew. The miraculous Host remained intact until 1600, but due to the vicissitudes of history, every trace of it was eventually lost. All that remains today is the glass ciborium and the pyx lid that survived the flames.

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