Archdiocese Claims No Miracle at St. Augustine's

Miraculous Host at Lanciano

Edit: a few months ago in July it was alleged that it might be possible that a Host which was consecrated at the celebration of an English liturgy by the parish of St. Augustine's assistant pastor, Father Grabner, might be a real Eucharistic miracle.  Such miracles, scoffing in the media and contempt from journalists and politicians notwithstanding, happen. Father Echert, the parish's pastor, said that he'd never seen anything like it in his thirty years of experience.  The Host fragment, which had been sitting in water but didn't dissolve as is usually the case, was sent to the University for "tests" as is usual in cases like this.

The Anti-Clerical journalist from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, cited another such occurrence which took place in Dallas, but he didn't cite any examples which were proven true and are the subject not only of immense popular devotion, but great literature and beautiful art.   One such miracle takes place regularly every year on the same day, usually, in San Jenaro, Italy on the feast of St. Januarius or at Lanciano.

In 1970-'71 and taken up again partly in 1981 there took place a scientific investigation by the most illustrious scientist Prof. Odoardo Linoli, eminent Professor in Anatomy and Pathological Histology and in Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy. He was assisted by Prof. Ruggero Bertelli of the University of Siena. The analyses were conducted with absolute and unquestionable scientific precision and they were documented with a series of microscopic photographs.

With such examples of real Eucharistic miracles the laity was understandably excited in many ways less inspired individuals would not.  It should also be understood that the expectation of this miracle does not mitigate the other real miracle which occurs at every Mass in the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ where the priest has the correct matter, form and intention to do as the Church does.

At present the Diocesan Communications Director insists that there isn't anything miraculous taking place with this Host.  Since when is he credible?  Dennis McGrath has not been the most credible of witnesses to the Catholic Faith in years past.  Usually, when he gets cornered by the facts, he accuses people of attacking the Bishop or being mean. It's not out of the realm of the plausible to ask for a second opinion when someone has proven themselves not to be credible in the past?  Dennis McGrath has a very bad reputation when it comes to credibility and defending the sex education Virtus program, was not one of his best moments.  So why not ask someone else to look into it, provided the evidence hasn't been disposed of?

In any event, we did  suggest in our own report that this alleged miracle also might be a case of serratia marcescens, a bacterium which gives a red color to bread when it's stored in contact with moisture. Apart from not crediting this blog for making the observation when the story first appeared in the Pioneer Press with a distored fish eye lense shot of Father Echert, the reporter shows himself to be glib and disrespectful, blasphemous really. Journalist Nick Ferraro tweets blasphemously:

OMG! Archdiocese says Communion host turned blood-red due to virus, not act of God http://www.twincities.com/ci_19546770 

 Obviously the Archdiocese has to deal with journalists,. but it would be nice to have a Diocesan representative who was less timid and more convinced of his Catholic Faith.   Most journalists are generally hostile to and completely ignorant of the Catholic Faith.  Why not disarm them by challenging their knowledge and correcting them when they're wrong?  No, Dennis McGrath frequently misses the kinds of details even a sensible Catholic of average intelligence would notice.  Regardless as to whether the journalist knows the difference between fungi, virii or the correct spelling of the word "Host", this journalist appears to be completely unconcerned about insulting Catholics and he won't be punished.  It would be nice to have someone confront these journalists.  Even Our Lord asked the man who slapped him why he did it.

Even leftist journalist Nick Coleman, assuming it's the same man, chimed in on the comments section for the Pioneer Press article with a sneering comment.  A real Catholic mouthpiece with some Catholic background would be better able to confront such jeering with an effective defense of the Faith.

 Still, no matter how politically correct you happen to be, it's always open season on Catholics and what we believe.  How is it such politically correct individuals feel themselves emboldened to insult Catholics with impunity?  Why are they so eager to jump at the chance to treat us with such hateful regard?  There is a miracle in this, actually.

The Apostles met with the same jeering on their way to violent deaths and so too did many Catholics throughout the history of the Church, and so it is right up to the present day.   Despite the fact that these individuals, like Nick Coleman for example, bend over backwards to defend Muslims, atheists, exhibitionists and just about anyone with a vulgar opinion, those same individuals don't think twice about attacking Catholicism.  They defend them especially when they are treated with even the appearance of disrespect.

Still, it's a beautiful thing to think that miracles might happen here in our midst, that supernatural events beyond the explanation of the scoffers and those who revile us.   But whether or not this prodigy is miraculous or not, the continuing miracle is the reaction of the mob in the comments and out there on the street, who hold it to be their right to treat Catholics in ways no one would dare to treat other minorities.   Even other Catholics think it's ok to laugh derisively at those of us who believe in the possibility of miracles.

The real miracle is that after centuries of persecution and contempt that Catholics are still singled out for insults of this kind on the part of the Anti-Clerical media and their masters.  It has often been remarked that not only is it a testimony to the power of the Faith, but a fulfillment of Christ's promise:

If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you.
If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him who sent me.