Volterra

In 1472, during the violent war between the city of Volterra and Florence, a dramatic Eucharistic miracle occurred that demonstrated divine protection of the Blessed Sacrament. A Florentine soldier invaded the Cathedral of Volterra (some sources say the Church of San Francesco) seeking valuables to plunder. He forced open the tabernacle and seized a precious ivory ciborium containing numerous consecrated Hosts. When priests who were present attempted to intervene, the soldier threatened them with his sword, and they were forced to allow him to leave with the sacred vessels. However, God would not permit this sacrilege to continue. According to the documented accounts, as soon as the soldier left the church, he was seized by a violent fury. In his rage against the sacramental Jesus, he threw the ciborium with all his strength against a church wall (or column, according to some accounts). At that moment, a powerful earthquake shook the entire city of Volterra. Miraculously, while the precious ivory ciborium shattered into pieces, all the consecrated Hosts came out of the broken vessel, elevated themselves into the air, and remained suspended for a long time, illuminated by a mysterious supernatural light. The soldier, seeing this awesome miracle, fell to his knees begging for forgiveness. Moved by repentance, he pleaded with a priest to intercede for him, and at that moment his eyesight, which he had lost during the miracle, was restored to him. The Hosts, though thrown with violence, remained in perfect condition and were reverently returned to the tabernacle.

Church recognition

This ancient miracle has historical acceptance and tradition within the Church spanning centuries, though no surviving formal documentation has been found.

The miracle was verified in 1472 with written documentation. The relation of Friar Biagio Lisci, a direct witness, is preserved in the archives of the Church of Saint Francis. Municipal acts are also preserved in the municipal library of Volterra. However, official Magisterium documents do not contain records of formal Vatican investigation or papal approval of this miracle.