Italy Offida (1273-1280)

The Flesh of Faith: The Astonishing Miracle of 1273

In 1273, a woman named Richiarella, seeking to win back her husband's affection, followed a witch's advice and obtained a consecrated Host. When she attempted to turn the Host into powder, it transformed into living Flesh. Overwhelmed by guilt, she confessed her deed seven years later, leading to the recovery of the miraculous relics. These relics, now preserved in the Church of St. Augustine in Offida, continue to inspire awe and devotion. The town celebrates this miracle annually on May 3rd, marking a profound testament to faith and divine intervention.
The Event

In 1273, a miraculous event occurred near the Church of St. Augustine in Offida, where a consecrated Host transformed into living Flesh. The relics of this miracle are preserved there, and numerous documents, including a 13th-century parchment by notary Giovanni Battista Doria in 1788, attest to its authenticity. Various decrees from Popes, beginning with Boniface VIII (1295) to Sixtus V (1585), as well as writings from Roman congregations, Episcopal decrees, communal statutes, votive gifts, memorial stones, frescoes, and testimonies from notable historic figures, such as the Antinori and Fella families, further document this event.

The Miracle's Origin

In the town of Lanciano, a woman named Richiarella sought the help of a witch to regain her husband Giacomo Stasio's affection. Following the witch's advice, she obtained a consecrated Host during Communion, intending to turn it into powder and add it to her husband's food. When she placed the Host on the fire in an earthenware jar, it transformed into living Flesh. Horrified, Richiarella wrapped the jar and the bloodied Host in a linen handkerchief and buried it under manure in her husband's stable. Strange occurrences followed: Giacomo's donkey would genuflect each time it entered the stable, leading Giacomo to suspect his wife had bewitched the animal.

The Confession and Recovery

Seven years later, overcome with guilt, Richiarella confessed her sacrilege to the prior of the Augustinian priory in Lanciano, Giacomo Diotallevi, who was from Offida. In tears, she cried, "I killed God! I killed God!" The priest retrieved the bundle with the relics and brought them to his fellow citizens in Offida.

Preservation of the Relics

A cross-shaped reliquary was created to house the miraculous Host. An ancient story recounts that two monks, Brother Michele and a confrere, invited a craftsman in Venice to create this reliquary. They made him swear an oath of secrecy before showing him the miraculous Host. The craftsman, initially struck with a sudden fever, confessed his moral sins, and then, free of fever, proceeded to fix the Host and the pyx inside the cross along with the sacred Wood, visible through a crystal.

Annual Celebration

The relics of the jar, the bloodstained linen, and the cross containing the miraculous Host are displayed in the Church of St. Augustine in Offida. Richiarella's house was converted into a small chapel. In 1973, the seventh centenary of the miracle was celebrated, and every year on May 3rd, the citizens of Offida commemorate the anniversary of this miraculous event.

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