Italy San Mauro La Bruca (1969)

Miraculously Intact: The Untouched Hosts of San Mauro la Bruca

In 1969, thieves stole a ciborium of consecrated Hosts from San Mauro la Bruca and discarded them on a footpath. A child discovered and retrieved the Hosts, which remained miraculously intact for 25 years, defying natural decay. This extraordinary preservation was confirmed by scientific analysis and acknowledged as a miracle by Bishop Biagio D'Agnostino in 1994.

The Theft and Discovery

On the night of July 25, 1969, thieves broke into the parish church of San Mauro la Bruca, intending to steal valuable objects. After prying open the tabernacle, they took a ciborium containing many consecrated Hosts. Once outside the church, the thieves emptied the ciborium, discarding the Hosts on a footpath.

The following morning, a child discovered the pile of Hosts at a road intersection. The child gathered them up and immediately brought them to the pastor.

The Miracle and Recognition

For 25 years, detailed analysis was conducted on the Hosts. In 1994, Msgr. Biagio D'Agnostino, Bishop of Vallo della Lucania, acknowledged their miraculous preservation and authorized their veneration. Scientific studies concluded that under normal circumstances, wheat flour deteriorates significantly within six months and turns gelatinous before disintegrating into dust over a few years. However, the consecrated Hosts remained intact, defying natural decomposition processes.

The miraculous preservation of the Hosts is commemorated and venerated to this day, standing as a testament to the enduring sanctity of the Eucharist.

Reference