The Baby in the Host: Zaragoza's Miraculous Transformation

The Miracle of the Baby Jesus in Zaragoza

In the year 1427, a miraculous event occurred in Zaragoza, Spain, that has been preserved in the town hall archives and depicted in the cathedral near the chapel of "San Dominguito del Val." This extraordinary occurrence is recorded in a detailed document and has remained an important part of the city’s history.

The Sorcerer’s Request

During this time, Don Alonso Arhuello served as the bishop of Zaragoza. The story begins with a married woman who sought help from a Moorish sorcerer to change her husband’s violent nature and make him treat her more gently. The sorcerer, engaging in dark practices, informed the woman that he required a consecrated Host—a sacred element of the Christian Eucharist—to create a remedy for her husband.

Driven by superstition and desperation, the woman went to the church of Saint Michael, attended confession, and received the Eucharist. However, with diabolical cunning, she did not consume the Host. Instead, she secretly removed it from her mouth and placed it in a small coffer, which she then delivered to the sorcerer.

The Miraculous Transformation

When they opened the coffer, both the woman and the sorcerer were struck with terror. Instead of finding the Host, they saw a small baby surrounded by radiant light. Overwhelmed with fear, the sorcerer instructed the woman to take the coffer home, burn it, and bring back the ashes. The woman did as she was told, but to her astonishment, although the coffer was entirely consumed by fire, the baby remained unharmed.

Terrified and out of her mind, the woman rushed back to the sorcerer’s house to report what had happened. The sorcerer, now trembling with fear of divine retribution, advised her to go to the cathedral and confess their sin to the bishop, Don Alonso.

The Solemn Procession

Upon hearing their confession, the bishop consulted with other prelates and theologians of the diocese to better understand the event. They ultimately decided to carry the miraculous baby in a solemn procession from the woman’s house to the cathedral. The entire city of Zaragoza joined the procession, deeply moved by the sight of the marvelous baby.

Once at the cathedral, the miraculous baby was placed on the altar of the chapel of Saint Valerio so that the people of Zaragoza could see and venerate Him. The following day, during Mass at the same altar, the bishop recited the words of consecration, and in place of the baby, a Host appeared, which the bishop immediately consumed.

A Renewed Devotion

This miraculous event profoundly impacted the people of Zaragoza, renewing their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. The detailed account of this Eucharistic miracle, preserved in the town archives, continues to inspire the faithful and remains a testament to the power and mystery of the sacred Host.