March 8, 2017

Braine, France

In 1153, the Archbishop of Soissons, Anculphe de Pierrefonds, directed that a solemn High Mass be celebrated in the city of Braine, in honor of the Feast of the Holy Spirit. In connection with it, a procession around the entire city was also conducted.

Although many people lived in the city who did not regard themselves as Catholic, practically everyone came to observe the activity and even attend the Mass. The Archbishop himself was the celebrant for the Mass. At the point in the Mass when the Host was elevated for adoration, those gathered did not see the Host. Instead, they saw a small child.

Afterwards, many of those who were not Catholic clamored to be baptized.

Following this spectacle, a monastery was built at which the miraculous Host was kept, and annual processions and ceremonies were held in honor of it.

This story, however, concerns not just one miraculous event, but two. For over 550 years, at least until the year 1718, the Host remained intact. It had not succumbed to decay or the normal processes of decomposition that would occur to any organic matter.

Source: Cruz, Caroll, Eucharistic Miracles (Charlotte, North Carolina, Tan Books, 2010) p.19-21.

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