- Key Ideas: The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano has a long historical record dating back to the 1500s, and it has been honored there for centuries. This Eucharistic miracle had the first extensive scientific testing, published in a scientific journal in Italy by Professor Odoardo Linoli in the 1970s. The 1970 Linoli report was a very detailed and cautious study. Today, in the context of more modern methods, its results are inconclusive as to the identity of the samples.
- Good Facts to Memorize: The historical account of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano begins about eight hundred years after the miracle is said to have happened. In 1574, the first authentication was made on a marble tablet that is still on display. Verified in the presence of a group of people, it was reported that the total weight of the five pellets of congealed blood were equal to the weight of each one of them. This authentication has not ever been repeatable in subsequent authentications. In 1637, the holy relics were transferred to the Valsecca Chapel where a second authentication was made. The scientific investigation conducted by Dr. Odoardo Linoli commenced on November 18, 1970 at 10:00 a.m. in the sacristy of the Church of St. Francis before the entire monastic community. The tests done by Dr. Linoli were weighing, histological studies, chemical tests, thin-layer chromatography, immunological studies to determine species and ABO blood type, electrophoresis of proteins, and presence of blood salts.
- Effective Questions to Ask When Discussing the Real Presence: How would the identity of the miraculous blood and flesh be confirmed using modern scientific methods? Why are the tests said to be inconclusive? How can we talk about these miracles in a reverent way? Does it really matter to faith if science ever proves or disproves the case of this (or any other) miracle? 219
Prodigal Catholic 