Spain Alboraya-Almacéra (1348)
The Miraculous Fish of Alboraya-Almácera: Hosts Recovered from the River
The Incident
In 1348, in the town of Alboraya-Almácera, a Eucharistic miracle occurred that would forever be remembered. A priest, while on his way to bring Communion to the sick, was crossing a river on mule-back when a sudden wave swept him into the water. The ciborium he carried, containing consecrated Hosts, was overturned, and the Hosts were carried away by the current.
The Miracle Unfolds
As the priest struggled to free himself from the mud and water, he was approached by fishermen who had witnessed an extraordinary sight. At the mouth of the river, where the water flowed into the sea, they saw three fish holding little white discs in their mouths, resembling Communion Hosts.
The Recovery
The priest, filled with remorse and urgency, ran to the church to fetch another ciborium. He returned to the riverbank without pausing to doubt the fishermen's story. To his great joy, he saw the three fish, almost completely out of the water, lifting the intact Hosts with their mouths as if presenting trophies. Falling to his knees, the priest extended the ciborium and prayed fervently. The fish gently deposited the Hosts into the chalice one by one before diving back into the water and disappearing into the sea.
The Community's Witness
As the priest completed this miraculous recovery, he realized that a group of men and women had gathered, witnessing the entire scene. The entire village soon learned of the miracle, and a solemn procession was held to return the Hosts to the church, with the whole community participating in the celebration.
Legacy and Remembrance
Today, numerous documents testify to the miracle, and a small church with two fish sculpted on its door stands at the site. Inside, two paintings depict the entire miraculous event, preserving the memory of this divine occurrence.
The Eucharistic Miracle of Alboraya-Almácera remains a powerful reminder of the harmony that can exist between all of God's creatures and the profound mysteries of faith.