Cimballa

In 1370 in the tiny village of Cimballa in the province of Zaragoza, Kingdom of Aragon, a profound Eucharistic miracle occurred that addressed a crisis of faith. Father Tommaso (Don Tommaso), the parish priest of the Church of the Purification of Our Lady, had been plagued for many months by intense doubts concerning the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This interior torment weighed heavily on his soul as he continued to celebrate Mass.

About this miracle

On a Sunday during Mass, as Father Tommaso spoke the words of Consecration over the bread and wine, his doubt reached its peak. At that precise moment, the Host underwent a visible transformation: it changed into Flesh, and Blood began to flow from it. The Blood dripped onto the altar linens (the corporal cloth), and continued flowing until it reached the altar itself and eventually dripped onto the floor. The faithful present in the church quickly noticed the priest's troubled expression and looked toward the altar, where they witnessed the miracle firsthand.

The news spread rapidly throughout the region. Bishop Pedro Pérez Calvillo of Zaragoza was informed and conducted an official investigation. After verifying the facts, he placed the Miraculous Host and the Sacred Blood-stained altar cloth in the tabernacle of the church for the villagers to worship. This episode profoundly affected Father Tommaso—the wavering faith that had tormented him was reinforced in a dramatic manner. Overwhelmed by the experience and moved to penance, Father Tommaso made the decision to retire to a monastery, where he dedicated the remainder of his life to prayer and penance.

The event became known as the "Most Holy Doubtful Mystery" (Santísimo Misterio de la Duda) in reference to the priest's doubt that precipitated the miracle. Because of continuous wars between the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile in subsequent years, for safety reasons the Miraculous Host itself was eventually moved to the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Zaragoza. However, at the earnest request of the villagers of Cimballa, the relic of the Sacred Cloth stained with the Blood was allowed to remain in their parish church, where it is still preserved today.

Every year on September 12th, the anniversary of the miracle, the villagers of Cimballa celebrate with special solemnity. The relic of the Blood-stained corporal leads a Eucharistic procession through the village, and the memory of the miracle is honored in the parish church where the event occurred over 650 years ago. The annual commemoration has continued unbroken for centuries, maintaining the living memory of this miracle.