The Eucharistic Miracle of Benningen

MIRACLES-France Germany panels 11/02/08 10:34 Page 19 In 1216 the village of Benningen was the location of a Eucharistic miracle in which the Host bled, A few years later in 1221, the citizens of Benningen began the construction of a chapel in honor of this miracle which is known as Riedkapelle zum Hochwürdigen Gut. From 1674 to 1718 the Riedkapelle was rebuilt and enlarged to accommodate the large number of pilgrims, Each year, during the Feast of Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi), the parish of Benningen makes a procession to the Riedkapelle, to celebrate the commemoration of the miracle, n ancient document of 1216 tells the story of two millers who, for years, had been at odds with each other. One day, one of them, exasperated by yet another argument, received Holy Communion and then afterwards stole a consecrated Host that he then hid among the stones of the mill of his neighbor with the intent of slandering him.

During the Feast of St. Gregory, the Host began to bleed so profusely that all of the village and the Bishop learned about it. repented and confesse his misdeed. The paintings of the chapel built in honor of the miracle were done by Johann Friedrich Sichelbein to illustrate the story.

The portrait above the altar shows the Bishop of Augsburg, Frederich, who deposited the Host in GERMANY, 1216 a precious container in the Church of St. Martin in Memmingen. In the course of the centuries, owing to historical events, the traces of the precious relic were lost.

For a long time, it was believed that the paintings that adorn the Chapel were copies of those exhibited in the Monastery of Ottobeuren. Only during the restoration of 1987 was it discovered that the paintings were the originals. On the wooden ceiling there are frescoes illustrating the Passion of Christ and scenes from the Old and New Testament.

wristie GERMANY, 1216