Eucharist -- Is it Cannibalism? Part 1.       Some people judge that receiving Holy Communion at Mass is cannibalism, the eating human flesh. An internet search of “Cannibalism and Eucharist” comes up with answers which range from inadequate to bad (e.g., it’s not cannibalism if the person first consents to your eating him; it’s not cannibalism to eat living flesh, only dead flesh; it’s not cannibalism in an event of necessity to preserve another’s life).       Rather than rationalizations, let’s go to the heart of it. How did Jesus answer when people laid the same judgment upon His words?       We find the discussion in John chapter 6 ). Jesus is speaking to a collection of people in Capernaum ( Jn 6:59 ), in Galilee.       Here is the “cannibalism” objection: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” ( Jn 6:52 ).       Said by the disputing Judeans present. (The word often now translated, “Jews,” is actually, “Judeans,” i.e., those who had come from Judea in southern Israel, or

  Eucharistic Miraculous Fasts.       These articles have reviewed many different kinds of genuine miracles associated with the Holy Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus. Another kind of Eucharistic miracle is where God’s grace physically sustains a person with no other food than solely the Eucharist.       Following a vision of the Lord Jesus, St. Catherine of Siena, Italy (d. 1380) no longer required food for her sustenance. Her confessor and biographer, Blessed Raymond of Capus, wrote that if she was required to take food, it would not stay in her stomach and she had severe pains. In fact her prior confessor had required her to take food daily, but always she had the same result of vomiting with considerable pain. Finally she asked him why he keeps on commanding her when always there was the same result. He replied, “Henceforth act according to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, for I perceive that God is accomplishing marvelous things in you.”       Later that same confes

Eucharistic Miracle of Saint Anthony.       This event had so many eye witnesses that its authenticity cannot be doubted – as fantastic as it may seem.       St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and initially became an Augustinian monk, studying Scripture and theology, and ordained a priest. Impressed with the witness of early Franciscan martyrs, St. Anthony transferred to the Franciscans. He went to Italy and met St. Francis. Initially he was often sick, and so laid low on his background. No one knew of his theological training and preaching skill. He was happy to cook and keep a low and humble profile. However, it happened that he was once asked (as in, required) to give a sermon, “just something simple” he was told, as they presumed he had no education. While maintaining his humility, his evident love of Scripture, gift of speaking, and holiness of life was so evident, all were greatly inspired by God’s grace in Anthony. And so a while later, Francis appoin

Eucharistic Miracles Preserving Consecrated Hosts.       On June 6, 1453, two scoundrels pillaged the Catholic Church in Exilles, Italy, where they stole many items of value, including a costly monstrance containing a consecrated Host which they had stolen from the Tabernacle. They loaded all the items on their mule and set off for Turin, intending sell them there. As they approached the gates of the city, the mule stumbled and fell to the ground, and everything loaded on its back fell off – except for the consecrated Eucharistic Host.       Instead of falling, the Host rose into the air and remained suspended far above peoples’ heads, surrounded by rays of light like a sunburst. People of Turin came to see the prodigy, including 10 men whose names have been preserved as the first witnesses. The Bishop of Turin also came with many nobles and members of the court. Upon seeing the suspended Holy Eucharist surrounded in light, the Bishop fell on his knees and adored the Lord’s Presence.