Turin

On June 6, 1453, the feast of Corpus Christi, one of the most dramatic and well-documented Eucharistic miracles in Church history occurred in Turin. During the war between the Duke of Savoy and France, French soldiers had plundered the Church of St. Mary of the Castle in Exilles, a small town in the Val di Susa mountains. Among their stolen goods was a silver and gold-plated ciborium containing a consecrated Host. The soldiers loaded their booty onto a mule and traveled to Turin to sell what they had stolen. As the mule carrying the sacred vessel approached Piazza della Consolata in the center of Turin, it suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground. At that moment, the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament miraculously opened, and the consecrated Host rose by itself into the air, ascending high above the surrounding houses and illuminating the entire square with brilliant, supernatural light. The people of Turin, recognizing the miracle, fell to their knees in adoration. Bishop Ludovico of Romagnano rushed to the scene, prostrated himself in prayer, and using the words of the disciples at Emmaus, prayed: 'Stay with us, Lord.' The bishop held up a chalice, and as the crowd prayed, the Host descended slowly and gently into the chalice. This miraculous event led to the construction of the Basilica of Corpus Domini on the exact spot where the miracle occurred. The most ancient documents recording this miracle are the Capitulary Acts of 1454, 1455, and 1456.

Scientific analysis

The multiplication was witnessed by Giuseppe Buzzetti and others present at the Mass

Church recognition

The Vatican has formally approved this miracle for public veneration after thorough investigation and review by the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith. This represents official Holy See recognition.