Spain Moncada (1392)

Doubt Dissolved: The Miracle of Moncada's Baby Jesus

In the late 14th century, amidst the chaos of a schism in the Church, Fr. Mosén Jaime Carrós of Moncada was plagued with doubts about the validity of his ordination, fearing his sacraments were invalid. On Christmas Day, 1392, a miraculous event occurred: five-year-old Inés de Moncada, attending Mass with her mother, saw Baby Jesus in the Host held by Fr. Carrós. To test her vision, the priest repeated the test with consecrated and unconsecrated hosts, and Inés accurately identified the consecrated one. This miracle confirmed the validity of his ordination, bringing immense relief and joy to the priest and his congregation, reaffirming their faith amidst the turmoil.
Historical Context

At the end of the 14th century, the election of Pope Urban VI on April 18, 1378, faced strong opposition from the French cardinals. These cardinals hoped to see the papacy return to Avignon, so on September 20, 1378, they elected an antipope, Clement VII. This schism created significant confusion and division within the Church, particularly among the clergy. Many priests began to doubt the validity of their ordinations, fearing that the sacraments they performed might not be valid.

Fr. Mosén Jaime Carrós’ Struggle

During this turbulent time, Fr. Mosén Jaime Carrós, a priest in Moncada, was deeply troubled. He had been ordained by a bishop appointed by the antipope Clement VII and feared that his ordination was invalid. This doubt plagued him every time he celebrated Mass, causing him to worry that he was deceiving the faithful by distributing unconsecrated hosts. He was also concerned that none of the other sacraments he performed were valid. Desperate for assurance, he prayed fervently for a sign from the Lord.

The Miracle

On Christmas Day, 1392, his prayers were answered. Angela Alpicat, an aristocratic woman, attended Mass with her five-year-old daughter, Inés, who would later become St. Inés de Moncada. After Mass, little Inés refused to leave the church, begging her mother to let her stay and play with the beautiful child the pastor had held during Mass.

The following day, December 26, Lady Angela returned to Mass with her daughter. When the priest lifted the Host, Inés saw a child in his hands. After Mass, Angela shared her daughter's visions with Fr. Carrós, who immediately questioned the girl. Inés answered all his questions effortlessly. To further test her, Fr. Carrós invited her to attend Mass the next day.

Confirmation of the Miracle

During this Mass, the priest consecrated two hosts, but only one was truly consecrated. He then asked Inés what she saw in his hands when he held up the consecrated host. She replied, "I see Baby Jesus." When he held up the unconsecrated host and asked the same question, she answered, "I see a white little disc."

The Joyful Revelation

This confirmation brought immense joy and relief to Fr. Carrós and his congregation. The vision of Inés affirmed the validity of Fr. Carrós’ ordination, demonstrating that despite the antipope's appointment, God had preserved the apostolic succession through the bishop’s hands. This miracle reassured the faithful of Moncada and reinforced their trust in the sacraments administered by Fr. Carrós.

Legacy and Documentation

The Eucharistic Miracle of Moncada was documented by Fr. Odorico Raynaldi in his "Anales Eclesiasticos" and is preserved in numerous documents in the archives of the city of Moncada. This miracle remains a testament to the faith and divine assurance that guided the Church through times of uncertainty.