I'm still a skeptic of...
There are many things I think I could call myself a skeptic of when it comes to dealing with many claims found within Catholicism. There are claims of Eucharist miracles, apparitions leading to traditions, apparitions of prophecy, Vatican secrets, papal prophecy, and many things that ring eerie through history.
The ones that I want to dive into today are the claims of the Eucharist miracles, but more specifically the ones that contain third-party verification from labs and scientists of differing backgrounds.
As a kid and even today I’ve asked myself “What would you do if Jesus appeared in front of you?” what would you do if there was a miracle happening before your eyes? What would you do? what kind of miracle would convince you?
Truthfully? I think I would respond like Thomas who said, “I need to touch his wounds for myself!”. Therefore, in that same grace, I will attempt to walk through a few of these eucharist miracles under a formula that I use to verify anything.
A) Can it be historically verified by multiple sources?
B) Can it be scientifically proven or attested?
C) Is there any motive negative or positive?
and a few other variations!
1. Miracle of Lanciano (Italy, 8th Century)
Details: In the town of Lanciano, a priest who doubted the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist witnessed the host transform into flesh and the wine into blood during Mass.
Scientific Analysis: In 1971, Dr. Edoardo Linoli, a professor of anatomy and pathological histology, along with his team, conducted a scientific investigation. The analysis confirmed that the flesh was human heart tissue, and the blood was of type AB, which is relatively rare but common in the Middle East.
Result: The findings showed that the tissue was alive, suggesting that the flesh and blood had not undergone decomposition despite being centuries old.
Questions to ask…
How do we know this priest doubted the Real Presence?
Was Dr. Linoli a confessing Catholic? (bias)
Where are these findings?
How are we just now testing in 1971 after it was found in the 8th century?
1. How Do We Know the Priest Doubted the Real Presence?
The story of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano is rooted in tradition and has been passed down through centuries. According to the tradition, the priest was a Basilian monk who harbored doubts about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. However, there are NO contemporary witnesses to this, there are no records, no writings, and no documentation of this person or this claim.
2. Was Dr. Linoli a Confessing Catholic?
Dr. Edoardo Linoli, who conducted the scientific investigation in 1971, was indeed a practicing Catholic. His faith has often been mentioned in discussions about the miracle, leading some to question potential bias. However, his work is generally respected in both religious and scientific communities.
To address concerns about bias, it's relevant to consider that the analysis focused on objective, scientific facts, such as the identification of the tissue as human heart muscle and the blood as type AB. The methods and results were in line with standard scientific practices, and Linoli's findings have been referenced in subsequent studies and investigations by others.
3. Where Are the Findings?
Dr. Linoli's findings were published in 1971 and have since been referenced in various publications. The study itself, while conducted under the auspices of the Church, was released to the public and has been scrutinized by other scientists. Some of the key findings include:
The flesh was identified as human heart muscle (myocardium).
The blood was identified as human, of type AB, which is common in the Middle East but relatively rare elsewhere.
The tissue showed no signs of decay despite being centuries old.
The results of the investigation are not only preserved in scientific reports but also referenced in books and articles about Eucharistic miracles. These findings are often cited in apologetic literature and discussions regarding the miracle of Lanciano.
4. How are we just now testing in 1971?
This specifically gives me great pause, the sheer amount of time that someone had to posses the artifact, change it, manipulate it, whatever else — alongside no documentation of said event — I can only make this (in my book) false or probably not true. HOWEVER, hold the phone scotty, After the miracle occurred, the host and the coagulated blood were carefully preserved and kept in the church of San Francesco in Lanciano. Over the centuries, these relics were stored in special containers and displayed for public veneration. The preservation of these relics was considered a miraculous aspect in itself, as they did not decay over time, which would be expected of natural human tissue.
Why the Time Gap?
Technological Advances: The event occurred in a time when scientific methods were not available. It wasn't until the 20th century, with advancements in medical and forensic science, that it became possible to analyze the relics in a detailed and objective manner.
Church's Interest in Validation: The Catholic Church has often sought to validate miracles through scientific means to strengthen the faith of believers and to respond to skeptics. By 1971, the Church was in a position to use modern science to investigate and validate this ancient miracle.
Miracle of Buenos Aires (1996)
1. What was the origin of the host that transformed?
The Eucharistic miracle in Buenos Aires began on August 18, 1996, when a consecrated host was found discarded at the back of the church of Santa Maria in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A parishioner noticed the host and brought it to the priest, Fr. Alejandro Pezet. Following the standard protocol, the priest placed the host in water to dissolve it (the usual practice for dealing with consecrated hosts that are no longer consumable). However, instead of dissolving, the host began to transform into a reddish substance, which appeared to be blood.
2. How do we know the analysis was conducted by unbiased scientists?
The scientific investigation was initiated under the direction of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who later became Pope Francis. The analysis was carried out by Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez, a renowned neuropsychologist, who was not a Catholic at the time and was known for his skepticism towards such phenomena. He sent samples from the host to several independent laboratories without revealing their origin to avoid bias.
The most significant analysis was performed by Dr. Frederick Zugibe, a prominent forensic pathologist and cardiologist from New York, who was also not informed about the source of the sample. Dr. Zugibe's findings revealed that the tissue was from the left ventricle of a human heart, showing signs of severe stress, as if the person had been under extreme agony or distress. The blood type was identified as AB, the same as that found in the Shroud of Turin and in other Eucharistic miracles.
Dr. Ricardo Gomez…later converted to Catholicism.
Miracle of Tixtla (Mexico, 2006)
1. How did this event occur? During a religious retreat in Tixtla, Mexico, on October 21, 2006, a consecrated host began to bleed after it had been distributed to the faithful. The event was witnessed by those present, and the local bishop immediately initiated an investigation to determine the authenticity of the phenomenon.
2. How do we know the analysis was conducted by unbiased scientists? The scientific investigation of the Tixtla miracle involved a team led by Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez, who, as mentioned earlier, was a former skeptic and neuropsychologist who became involved in investigating various Eucharistic miracles. By the time of the Tixtla investigation, Dr. Castañón had already converted to Catholicism, but his initial reputation as a skeptic and his scientific credentials were well-established, which helped lend credibility to his findings.
The investigation involved rigorous scientific testing, including analysis of the blood, which was found to be human with the characteristics of blood from a living being. The blood was identified as type AB, consistent with other Eucharistic miracles, such as those in Lanciano and Buenos Aires.
3. Where are these findings published or documented? The findings from the Tixtla miracle have been documented in various religious publications and books that focus on Eucharistic miracles. While specific scientific reports may not be widely available in public medical journals, the results have been discussed in Catholic media, conferences, and by Dr. Castañón Gómez himself in his talks and writings.
Miracle of Sokolka (Poland, 2008)
1. How did this event occur? The Sokolka miracle occurred on October 12, 2008, in the town of Sokolka, Poland. During a Mass at St. Anthony's Church, a consecrated host was accidentally dropped to the ground by a priest. Following standard protocol, the host was placed in a container of water to dissolve. However, a red stain resembling blood appeared on the host, which led to further examination by local clergy.
2. How do we know the analysis was conducted by unbiased scientists? The tissue from the host was analyzed by Dr. Maria Sobaniec-Łotowska and Dr. Stanisław Sulkowski, both professors of medicine at the Medical University of Białystok in Poland. These medical professionals had no prior involvement in religious miracles and approached the analysis from a scientific standpoint. Their examination revealed that the tissue was human heart muscle, with visible signs of trauma, similar to findings in the Lanciano and Buenos Aires miracles.
3. Where are these findings published or documented? The findings from the Sokolka miracle have been documented in religious and medical contexts, with discussions of the miracle appearing in Catholic media and conferences. The scientists involved have also spoken about their findings, contributing to the broader discussion of Eucharistic miracles. Detailed reports may be available through church publications and interviews with the researchers.
Miracle of Siena (Italy, 1730)
1. How did this event occur? The Siena miracle dates back to August 14, 1730, when over 300 consecrated hosts were stolen from the church of St. Francis in Siena, Italy. The hosts were later found and returned to the church. What makes this event miraculous is that the hosts have remained incorrupt for nearly three centuries, showing no signs of decomposition.
2. How do we know the analysis was conducted by unbiased scientists? Over the years, numerous scientific analyses have been conducted to understand why the hosts have not decomposed. These studies were carried out by various scientists and researchers, both religious and secular, who have been unable to provide a natural explanation for the preservation of the hosts. The tests confirmed that the hosts remain in perfect condition, something that would be impossible without some form of divine intervention, according to many believers.
3. Where are these findings published or documented? The Siena miracle has been extensively documented in church records, religious publications, and scientific reports. The preservation of the hosts has been examined periodically, with findings discussed in both religious and scientific forums. Visitors to the church of St. Francis in Siena can still view the hosts, which continue to be a subject of veneration and study.
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sherlock Holmes
What can we know as fact from these cases of alleged Eucharist Miracles?
Scientific Validation: Multiple Eucharistic miracles have been scientifically investigated, with consistent findings across different cases. In each instance, the consecrated hosts and blood have been analyzed by independent scientists, often without prior knowledge of their origins. The investigations have consistently revealed that:
The flesh is human heart tissue, specifically from the left ventricle.
The blood type found is always AB, which is rare but more common in the Middle East.
Conversion of a Skeptic: Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez, a former skeptic and neuropsychologist, became involved in investigating Eucharistic miracles, including those in Buenos Aires and Tixtla. Through his experiences and findings, which he could not explain scientifically, Dr. Gómez converted to Catholicism, becoming a prominent advocate for the validity of these miracles.
Incorrupt Hosts: The Siena miracle of 1730 involves over 300 consecrated hosts that have remained perfectly preserved for nearly three centuries. Despite scientific studies, no natural explanation has been found for their incorrupt state, adding to the belief in their miraculous nature.
Consistent Blood Type (AB): Across various Eucharistic miracles, including those in Lanciano, Buenos Aires, and Tixtla, the blood found has consistently been of the AB blood type. This consistency is significant, especially considering that these miracles occurred in different locations and centuries.
Long-Term Preservation: The Eucharistic miracles often involve elements that have been preserved for centuries without decaying, which is scientifically unexplainable. In Lanciano, for example, the host and blood have remained intact since the 8th century, despite the natural expectation of decomposition.
Rather peculiar…no?