The Miraculous Flames of St. Maria del Monte: A Tale of Divine Intervention

The Invasion

In 1640, during the French invasion led by Count Harcourt, the soldiers crossed the River Po and advanced towards the Capuchin Friars’ Church of St. Maria del Monte. The region of Piedmont was overrun with foreign troops, and after liberating Casale Monferrato from the Spaniards, the French forces reached Turin on May 10, 1640. By May 12, they launched a fierce offensive, attacking the trenches twice and being repelled both times. However, during the third assault, the defenders were forced to surrender, and the civilians fled to the sanctuary of the church for safety.

The Massacre

The invading soldiers entered the Church of St. Maria del Monte, where they brutally killed civilians, including men, women, children, and even those seeking refuge with the Capuchin friars. The friars themselves were spared from physical harm but were heartbroken by the sight of the massacre. The soldiers desecrated the sacred space, destroying vessels and vestments and looting the friary. The atrocities committed in the church were heinous, with acts of violence and debauchery staining the holy place.

The Miracle

Among the invaders was a French soldier who, in an act of sacrilege, climbed onto the altar and forced open the tabernacle to seize the ciborium containing the consecrated Hosts. As he did so, a miraculous flame burst forth from the ciborium, enveloping the soldier and burning his face and clothing. The door of the tabernacle, adorned with agate and lapis lazuli, still bears the imprint of the soldier's scorched hand.

The terrified soldier fell to the ground, screaming and begging for God's forgiveness. The church filled with dense smoke, halting the soldiers' vandalism as they were overcome by terror and astonishment. This divine intervention spared further desecration and violence within the sanctuary.

Aftermath

Friar Pier Maria da Cambiano, a Capuchin friar, meticulously documented this miraculous event. The incident stands as a testament to the power of the Eucharist and the protection of the divine in the face of sacrilege and violence. The miracle of the flames at St. Maria del Monte remains a profound symbol of faith and divine justice in the history of Turin.