Today we drove from Rotondo to Lanciano, the site of the first Eucharistic miracle. Of course, I had again read up on the history of the miracle. The Basilian priest (his name has not been recorded) had doubts over the Real Presence of God in the Eucharist and these doubts entered his mind when he raised the host at the point of consecration. Much to his amazement, it turned into the body and blood of Christ.
We got to Lanciano just about 2 hours out from Rotondo, and started our visit out with mass in the little room behind the altar of the main church. There is a window into the church at the back of the room and this looks directly out onto the monstrance containing the miracle. The blood has coagulated somewhat and the flesh has also dried but it remains to this day, undecayed.
After mass, we went into the main church to spend some time venerating the Eucharist in prayer. Thereafter, I took a short walk around the church – there was a large group of schoolchildren present. Outside, we spotted another pilgrimage group, this one wearing little green scarves around their necks, I suppose to distinguish them from other Italian groups. One thing about our group, no scarves needed. We are the only Asians about.
We left Lanciano after lunch to travel on to Assisi (we expected to get there in the evening in time for dinner).
I think it was around this time that our tour leader made a comment which I find very relevant, so I will repeat it here: miracles are wonderful to see – but at the end of it, it is sad to note that God finds it necessary to remind us from time to time that He is really here. This is especially true, I find, in the case of this first ever eucharistic miracle at Lanciano.
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