Italy · 20th Century
San Mauro La Bruca
On the night of July 25, 1969, unknown thieves broke into the Parish Church of Sant'Eufemia in San Mauro La Bruca, in the province of Salerno, and stole various sacred objects, including a golden chalice containing consecrated Hosts from the tabernacle. After leaving the church, the thieves threw the consecrated Hosts and the chalice lid onto a small wall in front of a side door.
About this miracle
The following morning, the desecrated Hosts were found by a young girl named Gerardina Amato. The remarkable aspect of this event is that the Hosts are preserved to this day, remaining intact for over 50 years without any signs of decay or decomposition. According to the laws of nature, unleavened bread should deteriorate within weeks, yet these Hosts have defied natural processes.
In 1994, after 25 years of detailed analysis, Msgr. Biagio D'Agostino, Bishop of Vallo della Lucania, acknowledged the miraculous preservation of the Hosts and authorized the cult. This miracle is considered significant as it represents one of the last recognized Eucharistic miracles in Italy. The event has been recognized as a 'Eucharistic Miracle' and is commemorated annually with a Eucharistic Day celebration. The preservation of these Hosts serves as a powerful testimony to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, demonstrating that what appears to be bread is actually the Body of Christ, which remains incorrupt as a sign of His divine nature.
Scientific analysis
After 25 years of detailed analysis, chemical and scientific analysis acknowledged that after just 6 months wheat flour severely deteriorates and in a few years turns gelatinous and then, finally, to dust. The Hosts have been miraculously preserved for over 50 years contrary to natural decomposition, remaining intact without any signs of decay.