Spain Daroca (1239)

The Bloodstained Hosts: A Miracle of Divine Favor

During a fierce battle between the Spanish and the Moors in 1239, a priest hid consecrated Hosts to protect them from an enemy attack. After the Spanish victory, the Hosts were found drenched in blood. This miraculous sign inspired the troops, leading to another victory at the Castle of Chio. A dispute over the Hosts' resting place was resolved by a mule's divine journey, ending at the Church of Saint Mark in Daroca, where the blood-stained corporal is still venerated today.
The Battle and the Miraculous Discovery

Shortly before one of the numerous battles between the Spanish and the Moors, the Eucharistic miracle of Daroca was verified. The Christian commanders requested a priest to celebrate Mass in the field. However, minutes after the consecration, an unexpected enemy attack forced the priest to suspend the Mass and hide the consecrated Hosts. After the battle, which the Spanish won, the commanders asked the priest to distribute the previously consecrated Hosts. To their astonishment, they found the Hosts completely covered in blood. To this day, the blood-stained linens can be venerated.

The Preparation for Battle

In 1239, the Christian cities of Daroca, Teruel, and Calatayud in Aragon allied to reconquer the walls of the Castle of Chio Luchente. Chaplain Don Mateo Martinez of Daroca celebrated Holy Mass before the first battle. He consecrated six Hosts for Communion for the six captains leading the troops: Don Jimenez Perez, Don Fernando Sanchez, Don Pedro, Don Raimundo, Don Guillermo, and Don Simone Carroz. An unexpected enemy attack forced Don Mateo to suspend the Mass and hide the six consecrated Hosts in the corporal under a rock.

The Aftermath of Victory

After successfully repelling the enemy, the commanders asked to receive Communion in thanksgiving for their victory. Don Mateo retrieved the Hosts, discovering they were drenched in blood. The commanders interpreted this event as a divine sign of favor and good fortune. They received Communion and tied the blood-stained corporal to a spear, creating a banner. With this miraculous banner, they reconquered the Castle of Chio.

The Dispute and Resolution

The miraculous triumph led to a dispute among the six commanders, each from different regions of Spain, over where the corporal should be kept. To resolve this, they decided to place the corporal on the back of a mule and let it wander freely. The city where the mule stopped would be chosen by Divine Will as the custodian of the corporal. The mule traveled for 12 days, covering approximately 200 miles, until it collapsed from exhaustion in front of the Church of Saint Mark in Daroca.

The Legacy

Following this divine sign, a church dedicated to Our Lady was constructed, along with a precious reliquary to house the blood-stained corporal. Today, the faithful can still venerate the miraculous corporal in Daroca, a testament to this extraordinary event in the history of the Spanish Reconquista.