Caravaca de la Cruz

In 1231 (or 1232 by some historical accounts), during the Christian Reconquista when the southeastern Spanish town of Caravaca was still under Muslim control, an extraordinary Eucharistic miracle occurred that led to remarkable conversions. The event took place during the rule of the Muslim king Abu Zeid (Zeyt-Abuzeyt). A Christian priest, Father Ginés Pérez Chirinos de Cuenca, had been captured and brought before the Muslim king. The king, who possessed genuine curiosity about the Christian faith, asked questions about Christian beliefs and practices, particularly about the celebration of the Last Supper and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

About this miracle

The king requested that Father Ginés demonstrate the Mass ceremony, but when the priest attempted to begin, he realized that he lacked a crucifix—an essential element for the celebration of the Eucharist. According to the most authoritative historical accounts, particularly the contemporary testimony recorded by Franciscan Father Gilles of Zamora, historian of King St. Ferdinand III, at this critical moment two angels appeared in brilliant light, bearing the Caravaca Cross (a distinctive double-barred patriarchal cross). The angels placed the cross on the altar, allowing the priest to proceed with the Mass.

During the Consecration, as Father Ginés spoke the words that effect the transformation of bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood, King Abu Zeid witnessed an astonishing sight: instead of the Host, he saw a beautiful Baby—the Christ Child Himself. The king was so profoundly moved by this miraculous vision and the angelic intervention that he immediately converted to Christianity, along with members of his family, and requested Baptism. This conversion during the Reconquista period was remarkable and politically significant.

The Cross of Caravaca became one of the most venerated relics in Spain. Over the centuries, its authenticity was recognized repeatedly by the Church. Pope Clement VII (during the Avignon Papacy) issued a bull in 1392 recognizing the lignum crucis (wood of the cross) housed in Caravaca. Later popes granted numerous indulgences: Pope Clement VIII in 1597, Pope Paul V in 1606, Pope Alexander VIII in 1609, and Pope Clement XI in 1705. In 1794, the Church granted the Cross the Culto de Latría (worship of adoration)—the highest form of veneration, equivalent to that granted to the Holy Sacrament itself.

In the modern era, Pope John Paul II granted Caravaca de la Cruz an extraordinary privilege: in 1998, he established that the city would celebrate a Jubilee Year every seven years in perpetuity. This made Caravaca the fifth Holy City of Catholic Christianity, joining the ranks of Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, and Santo Toribio de Liébana. The first of these recurring jubilee years was celebrated in 2003, followed by 2010, 2017, and most recently 2024. During jubilee years, pilgrims can receive special indulgences by visiting the Basilica-Sanctuary of the Vera Cruz. The city has attracted over 700,000 pilgrims during jubilee years, cementing its status as one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Spanish-speaking world.