The Eucharistic Miracle of Douai

MIRACLES—France Germany panels 11/02/08 10 : 33 Page 1 In the Eucharistic miracle of Douai, a consecrated Host Ily dropped was unintentiona to the ground while a priest was distributing Communion to the faithful. Immediately he bent down to pick up the Holy Eucharist, but the Host lifted up in flight and lighted on the purificator, A little later, a wonderful Child appeared there, Who all the faithful and religious present in the celebration could contemplate, Although more than 800 years have elapsed, even today it is still possible to admire the Host of the miracle, All Thursdays of the month in the Church of Saint Peter of Douai, many faithful gather in prayer before the miraculous Host. onum universale de Apibus is the work written by an eye witness of the miracle: the Dominican Father Thomas de Cantimpré, doctor of theology and "suffragan" Bishop of Cambrai.

On the day of Easter in 1254 in the Church of St. Amato in Douai, a priest who was distributing Holy Com- munion unintentionally dropped a consecrated Host to the ground. Immediately he bent down to pick up the Sacred Species, but the Host lifted up in flight and lighted on the purificator.

A little later, a wonderful Child appeared there Who all the faithful and religious present in the celebra- tion could contemplate. The news spread qui- ckly, and the Bishop of Cambrai, Thomas de Cantimpré, came immediately to Douai to verify the facts in person, which he described in this manner: "I went to the Dean of the Church, fol- lowed by many faithful, and I asked to see the FRANCE, 1254 .•tV'.i. , • arms couscioas t that nothing could prevent me from e 'ng, as was true of the others, the Sacred Body.

I didn't even have time to ask myself this type of que- stion, when I scarcely looked at the Host and saw the face of Christ crowned with thorns with two drops of Blood that descended on His forehead. Immediately I knelt, and crying, I began to thank God". It is certain that already by the year 1356, that is, one century after the apparition, every year on Wednesday of Holy Week, a feast in memory of the miracle of the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated, and the do- cument which records it indicates that this event was in existence already for a long time.

ilk-y by chance discovered underneath the Christ in the Altar of the Dead, a small wooden box con- taining a small Host, still white, but with dama- ged edges. A letter written in Latin gives witness: "I, the undersigned, Canon of the distinguished collegial Church of St. Amato, certify it to be the real and true Host of the holy miracle, which I re- moved from imminent danger of prof anation and which I have happily collected.

I have placed the Host in this pyx and have left this witness, written by my own hand, for the faithful who will discover the Sacred Miracle in the future (Ja- nuary 5, 1793)".