Posted on 05/05/2005 7:05:58 PM PDT by NYer
ROME, MAY 5, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Dr. Edoardo Linoli says he held real cardiac tissue in his hands, when some years ago he analyzed the relics of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano, Italy.
The phenomenon dates back to the eighth century. A Basilian monk, who had doubts about the real presence of Christ in the sacred species, was offering Mass, in a church dedicated to St. Legontian in the town of Lanciano.
When he pronounced the words of the consecration, the host was miraculously changed into physical flesh and the wine into physical blood.
Later the blood coagulated and the flesh remained the same. These relics were kept in the cathedral.
Linoli, a professor of anatomy and pathological histology, and of chemistry and clinical microscopy, and former head of the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy at the Hospital of Arezzo, is the only doctor who has analyzed the relics of the miracle of Lanciano. His findings have stirred interest in the scientific world.
At the initiative of Archbishop Pacifico Perantoni of Lanciano, and of the provincial minister of the Franciscan Conventuals of Abruzzo, and with authorization from Rome, in November 1970 the Franciscans of Lanciano decided to have the relics examined scientifically.
Linoli was entrusted with the study. He was assisted by Dr. Ruggero Bertelli, retired professor of human anatomy at the University of Siena.
Linoli extracted parts of the relics with great care and then analyzed the remains of "miraculous flesh and blood." He presented his findings on March 4, 1971.
His study confirmed that the flesh and blood were of human origin. The flesh was unequivocally cardiac tissue, and the blood was of type AB.
Consulted by ZENIT, Linoli explained that "as regards the flesh, I had in my hand the endocardium. Therefore, there is no doubt at all that it is cardiac tissue."
In regard to the blood, the scientist emphasized that "the blood group is the same as that of the man of the holy Shroud of Turin, and it is particular because it has the characteristics of a man who was born and lived in the Middle East regions."
"The AB blood group of the inhabitants of the area in fact has a percentage that extends from 0.5% to 1%, while in Palestine and the regions of the Middle East it is 14-15%," Linoli said.
Linoli's analysis revealed no traces of preservatives in the elements, meaning that the blood could not have been extracted from a corpse, because it would have been rapidly altered.
Linoli's report was published in "Quaderni Sclavo di Diagnostica Clinica e di Laboratori" in 1971.
In 1973, the Higher Council of the World Health Organization (WHO) appointed a scientific commission to verify the Italian doctor's conclusions. The work was carried out over 15 months with a total of 500 examinations. The conclusions of all the researches confirmed what had been stated and published in Italy.
The extract of the scientific research of WHO's medical commission was published in New York and Geneva in 1976, confirming science's inability to explain the phenomenon.
Today, Linoli participated in a congress on Eucharistic miracles organized by the Science and Faith master's program of Rome's Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, in cooperation with the St. Clement I Pope and Martyr Institute, on the occasion of the Year of the Eucharist under way.
"Eucharistic miracles are extraordinary phenomena of a different type," Legionary Father Rafael Pascual, director of the congress, told Vatican Radio. "For example, there is the transformation of the species of bread and wine into flesh and blood, the miraculous preservation of consecrated Hosts, and some Hosts that shed blood."
"In Italy, these miracles have occurred in several places," he said, "but we also find them in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain " and some in North America.
".. going to be more and more bold and indisputable. But then, do we deserve any such thing?"
I meant to write "are going to need to be more and more bold..."
".. going to be more and more bold and indisputable. But then, do we deserve any such thing?"
I meant to write "are going to need to be more and more bold..."
Why do these double post alway happen to ME! Sorry.
Because you're special?
"If there was truly no known earthly preservative at that time, I would tend to believe it was genuine."
Whether there was or wasn't, the sample was tested for preservatives.
"as I learned one year ago."
Are you inclined to talk about it?
Thank you.
Every child going through religious education prior to their First Communion should be taught about the Miracle of Lanciano. It's something tangible that children can grasp.
And it hasn't rotted in 12 centuries. How do you explain that?
>>Every child going through religious education prior to their First Communion should be taught about the Miracle of Lanciano. It's something tangible that children can grasp.<<
Geez, this is something a DRE can grasp! Perhaps we should have some of them study this miracle so they can actually pass some Catechism onto the children!
In my old parish (God Help them) the DRE was more interested in a "Good Experience" than actually conveying anything Catholic.
God Bless Father Ben and our DRE Shirley who are at my new "Deep Catholic" parish.
Hey were you in my former parish? The DRE there, who was a very lovely, well meaning and dedicated lady, said to a group of the religious education teachers, "You know I'm not big on doctrine, I just really want the kids to get the experience and the love."
To which I responded, "well if we don't teach them doctrine, and their parents don't because they don't know it themselves or because they think the kids are getting it here, when will they ever be taught doctrine?"
The room was silent.
No, we don't. We don't deserve the Mass, we don't deserve Calvary (same thing, really). We don't deserve any of the Sacraments, nor do we deserve the Salvation toward which they direct us. But God gives us these Graces anyway, piled high, heaped up, and overflowing.
Blessed be God.
I read somewhere, that every approved eucharistic miracle that has typeable blood has turned out AB...
Yes, you are correct. Also, most of them seem to happen whenever there is doubt about the Real Presence with regards to the priest that is doing the Consecrating. I teach a Catholic Traditions class at my son's school (we go in once a month) and we discussed several Eucharistic Miracles with them. I'm a cradle Catholic, and I had never heard any of this until I started studying and teaching his class.
It's really a shame that this isn't discussed more. Our faith is rich with miracles like this and they are glossed over are forgotten for "feellings". Jesus didn't die for us, come back and establish his Church to make us feel good. I think too much worship, Protestant and Catholic is all about feeling good about ourselves instead of worshiping God. (okay, I'm off my soapbox now)
Not at all unusual, unfortunately.
It was the Eucharistic miracles, among other things, such as the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, that led me to conclude the hand of God was actively working in the Catholic church when I was deciding to convert.
Honest seekers (those who haven't made up their minds yet) will see that there is plenty of evidence of the hand of God upon the world.
"...will see that there is plenty of evidence of the hand of God upon the world."
Trivia question. Didn't some theologian or maybe a famous preacher from when our country was young say: "It is a fearful thing to be in the hand of God"? Who was he?
LOL!
We must have some kind of ESP going because I said almost exactly the same thing and the room went silent!
I got out of there quick and never went back.
Why would I pay $150.00 for my daughters' "Religious Education" if I can get the same at the local Lutheran school for free?
I pay for Catechism.
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