Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa - Eucharistic Sustenance

Alexandrina Maria da Costa (1904-1955) became paralyzed at age 21 after jumping from a window to escape assault and preserve her purity. From 1942 until her death in 1955, she was nourished only by the Eucharist for over 13 years. During hospitalization at Foce del Douro Hospital near Oporto, she was medically supervised for 40 days and nights, with doctors confirming her absolute fast and condition of anuria (absence of urine). From 1938 to 1942, she relived Christ's Passion every Friday for 182 times. On July 30, 1935, Jesus appeared to her explaining her mission to bear witness to the precious nature of the Eucharist, stating: 'I have put you in the world so that you may draw life only from Me, to bear witness to the world how precious the Eucharist is.'

Scientific analysis

Medical supervision at Foce del Douro Hospital near Oporto documented her complete fast for 40 days and nights, along with anuria (complete absence of urine production). Multiple doctors observed her condition during this extended observation period. The medical team documented that she consumed nothing except Holy Communion during the entire period of observation.

She died on October 13, 1955 (anniversary of the last Fatima apparition). Her tomb bears her requested inscription asking sinners to trample on her ashes for their salvation.

Church recognition

This miracle has solid diocesan-level documentation including bishop investigations, formal inquiries, or local Church decrees, though without Vatican-level recognition.

Blessed Alexandrina Maria da Costa was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 25, 2004. However, no formal Vatican documentation or papal approval specifically recognizing the Eucharistic sustenance as an officially investigated and approved miracle has been found in Church records. The medical documentation of her prolonged fast exists, but it has not undergone the formal investigative process typically applied to Eucharistic miracles.

Recognition status cross-referenced using Magisterium AI, a third-party tool that searches a corpus of Catholic Church documents. This does not constitute official Church verification.

Sources & references

• 1
  Istituto San Clemente I Papa e Martire
• 2
  The Real Presence Association, Inc.