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An illustration depicting a priest distributing Communion to parishioners, with scientists observing the event.

Mexico · 21th Century

Tixtla

Tixtla, Mexico2006

BloodScientific

On October 21, 2006, during a spiritual retreat at St. Martin of Tours parish in Tixtla, Guerrero, Mexico (approximately 10 miles east of Chilpancingo), a religious sister serving as extraordinary minister of Holy Communion noticed a consecrated Host in her hands had begun to effuse a reddish substance similar to blood. She immediately turned with tears to alert the celebrating priests. Approximately 600 people attended the retreat.

About this miracle

Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro was immediately notified and convened a theological commission (2006-2009). In October 2009, the Bishop appointed Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez (clinical psychologist specializing in brain biochemistry, former atheist who converted after Buenos Aires investigation) to lead a comprehensive scientific research program.

Over three years (October 2009 - October 2012), fragments of the bloodstained Host were sent under blinded conditions to multiple independent laboratories: Gene Ex genetics laboratory (Bolivia), Francisco Marroquín University (Guatemala), Patología Médica (Mexico), laboratories in United States, and multiple forensic medical laboratories specializing in immunohistochemistry and genetics.

Findings were presented on May 25, 2013 at a diocesan symposium in Chilpancingo.

REMARKABLE FINDINGS • Reported as human blood with hemoglobin; DNA results are disputed (some analyses reportedly failed to recover identifiable human DNA, and critics attribute findings to contamination of a sample handled by many people over years) • Two forensic studies using different methodologies showed substance originates from INTERIOR of Host (excludes external application) • Reported blood type AB (also reported for Lanciano and the Shroud of Turin), though forensic critics caution this may reflect bacterial antigens on a contaminated sample • Cardiac muscle (myocardium) with elongated cells • LIVING TISSUE - lacerated with recovery mechanisms, intact white blood cells, red blood cells, active macrophages engulfing lipids, mesenchymal cells with elevated biophysiological dynamism • FRESH BLOOD IN 2010: While upper part coagulated since 2006, underlying internal layers showed FRESH BLOOD in February 2010 (4 years after event)

Expert conclusion: 'No study exists that can maintain alive a cardiac tissue in this situation... this is truly unexplainable for science.'

Scientific analysis

MULTI-LABORATORY INVESTIGATION (2009-2012) A Bolivian genetics laboratory reported human blood, blood type AB, and hemoglobin (DNA results are disputed; critical analyses report that identifiable human DNA could not be recovered and attribute findings to contamination). Francisco Marroquín University (Guatemala) with Professor Carlos Parellada identified longitudinal fibrillar structures consistent with cardiac muscle. A histopathologist reported mesenchymal cells, white blood cells, red blood cells, active macrophages engulfing lipids, and cardiac muscle tissue. (The hyper-specific name and credentials given in some accounts could not be verified and have been removed.) Immunohistochemical studies revealed tissue corresponds to myocardium with presence of elongated cells. TWO FORENSIC STUDIES using different methodologies found that substance originates from the interior of the Host (not externally applied). EXTRAORDINARY ANOMALY In February 2010 (more than 3 years after October 2006 event), microscopic analysis revealed that while upper part of blood had been coagulated since 2006, the underlying internal layers showed presence of FRESH BLOOD. Cardiac tissue normally dies within 48 hours after removal from living body. The tissue appeared 'lacerated and with recovery mechanisms, exactly as occurs in a living tissue.' Active macrophages (immune cells) that engulf lipids, mesenchymal cells with 'elevated biophysiological dynamism' (high metabolic activity), and tissue with wound healing processes active. Expert statement: 'No study exists that can maintain alive a cardiac tissue in this situation. Normally after 48 hours the tissue dies; here 3 months passed before the result could be obtained, and this is truly unexplainable for science.' No known preservation method could maintain living cells in a dry, unrefrigerated Host for years without blood circulation, oxygen supply, nutrient supply, or temperature control.

Church recognition

Diocese Approved (Vatican Pending)

This miracle has been formally approved at the diocesan level with a bishop's declaration, but final Vatican approval is still pending. New investigations may be underway in consultation with Rome.

Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro issued pastoral letter on October 12, 2013, recognizing the Eucharistic Miracle, stating: 'This manifestation brings to us a marvelous sign of the love of God that confirms the Real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist... In my role as Bishop of the Diocese I recognize the supernatural character of the series of events relating to the Bleeding Host of Tixtla... I declare the case as a Divine Sign...' He concluded the 'supernatural nature' of what happened, qualified it as 'a divine sign' and 'a true miracle,' stating 'The event does not have a natural explanation.' DIOCESAN PROCESS • Immediate theological commission (2006) • Three years theological investigation (2006-2009) • Scientific research program initiated (2009) • Three years laboratory analysis (2009-2012) • International symposium presentation (May 25, 2013) • Episcopal declaration (October 12, 2013)

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
Gene Ex Genetics Laboratory (Bolivia) - Blood type and DNA analysis (2009-2012) - Summary findings; full report not publicly available
2
Francisco Marroquín University (Guatemala) - Histopathological analysis, Prof. Carlos Parellada - Summary findings; full report not publicly available
3
Compagno, John, MD - Histopathological examination - Findings through Catholic media and symposium; peer-reviewed publication not located
4
International Symposium, Diocese of Chilpancingo (May 25, 2013) - Proceedings not publicly available in full; summary in Catholic media
5
Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro - Pastoral Letter (October 12, 2013) - Full text not publicly available; excerpts in Catholic media
6
Bishop Salvador Rangel Mendoza - Statements on new investigation (2020-2022) - Catholic News Agency and National Catholic Register
7
National Catholic Register: 'Three Eucharistic Miracles: Which Cases Have Undergone the Most Extensive Scientific Analysis?'
8
Catholic News Agency (2022): 'Mexican bishop: Apparent Eucharistic miracle of Tixtla has yet to be approved by Rome'
9
Kearse, Kelly P. (2024): 'The relics of Jesus and Eucharistic miracles: scientific analysis of shared AB blood type' - Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
10
Kearse, Kelly P.: 'Scientific Analysis of Eucharistic Miracles: Importance of a Standardization in Evaluation' - Journal of Forensic Science and Research
11
Crisis Magazine (2025): 'Exaggerations and Eucharistic Miracles'
12
The Stream (2024): 'Catholic Scientists Caution Faithful to Beware of Scientific Proof for Eucharistic Miracles'
13
Trasancos, Stacy (2024): 'The AB Blood Type Claim' - Substack
14
Diocese of La Crosse, Catholic Life (2024): 'Scientific Evidence for a Eucharistic Miracle'
15
Carlo's Corner: 'Eucharistic Miracle of Tixtla'
16
St. Michael the Archangel Parish: 'Eucharistic Miracles: Tixtla, 2006'
17
GCatholic: Iglesia San Martín de Tours, Tixtla, Guerrero, Mexico