Church of San Francesco (Eucharistic Miracle) (Lanciano)

 church, cultural relic, pilgrimage, catholic, Roman Catholic church

Built in 1258 over a pre-existing 7th century church. The high altar houses the relics of the Eucharistic Miracle.
This miracle took place in the 8th century A.D. in the little Church of St. Legontian, as a divine response to a Basilian monk doubt about Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist. During Holy Mass, after the two-fold consecration, the host was changed into live Flesh and the wine was changed into live Blood, which coagulated into five globules, irregular and differing in shape and size.
Since 1713 the Flesh has been reserved in an artistic silver Ostensorium, delicately embossed by an artisan of the Neapolitan school. The Blood is enclosed in a rich and very old cup made of rock-crystal.
The Minor Conventual Friars have been the custodians of the Sanctuary since 1252; their appointment was confirmed by a Pontifical Bull in 1252.
The church was in charge of the Basilian monks until 1176; from 1176 till 1252 the Benedictines staffed the church. In 1258 the Franciscans built the present church.
In 1700 its architectural style was changed from romanesque-gothic to baroque.
The "Miracle" was first reserved in a chapel situated at the side of the main altar. Then, from 1636 it was reserved in a side-altar of the nave which sill contains the old iron chest and the commemorative inscription.
In 1902 it was transferred into the present monumental marble altar which was erected by the people of Lanciano.
Various ecclesiastical investigations were conducted since 1574. In 1971 and 1981 a scientific investigation took place by most illustrius scientists. The analyses sustained the following conclusions:
The Flesh is real Flesh. the Blood is real Blood. Both of them belong to the human species and have the same blood-type: AB. The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart.
Santuario Eucaristico
Via Tesauri, 6, Lanciano, Province of Chieti, Italy
0872 713189
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_Lanciano