The Eucharistic Miracle of Herkenrode-Hasselt

MIRACLES-panels 11/02/08 14:33 Page 47 In the Cathedral of St. Quintinus in Hasselt is exposed the relic of the Eucharistic miracle that took place in Herkenrode in 1317. During the course of the centuries, many tests were done to ascertain the miraculous preservation of the consecrated Host from which Blood flowed, We recall the test done in the 18th century by the Apostolic Nuncio Carafa and the Bishop of Liege or the one done by the Archbishop of Malines during a visit of the Archduchess Isabel.

In the cathedral we also find numerous paintings depicting the miracle, done by a pupil of Jordaens, Jan van Boeckhorst. n July 25, 1317, the pastor of the church in Viversel was called to the bedsi- de of one his parishioners who was seriou- sly ill, to receive the holy sacraments. Upon his ar- rival at the house of the sick person, he rested his handbag containing the consecrated Host on a table at the entrance and went to hear the confes- Sion of the sick person.

One of the family mem- bers, curious about the handbag, opened it wi- thout being noticed. From it he pulled out the pyx, opened the cover and put his hand into it. As soon as he realized that inside there was a Host, he put everything back in order. In the meantime, the priest came out from the room of the sick person to take out the Host with which to give him Com- munion.

He took the handbag with the pyx inside, and when he opened it he saw that the Host he himself had consecrated during Mass was stained with Blood and was in some way stuck to BELGIUM, 1317 built this small chapel in the place called Sacramentsberg in memory of the Eucharistic seen respectfully kneeling at the passing of the priest carrying the Monstrance used to carry the excuse that he had forgotten something, he rushed out of the house and went to the pastor of nearby Lumen to tell him what had happe- ned. The latter advised him to bring the Particle to the Abbey of Herkenrode. It was August 1, 1317.

taking the pyx with him. Alon the road, traordinary things happened. As soon as he arrived at the Benedictine mona- stery, he showed everybody the Host stained with Blood. Elhen, the face of Christ crowned with thorns appeared on the Host. Elhis was atte- Sted to by numerous witnesses.

In the Cathedral of Hasselt there is a painting in which there is depicted a flock kneeling as the priest, carrying the sacred relic, passes by. In this place, called ment of the Miracle," which had been placed in a reliquary and exposed to public veneration, more than once protected the monastery of Herkenrode from fire. Elhe reliquary of the miracle was kept at the Abbey until 1796, and in 1804, it was transfer- red to the Church of St.

Quintinus in Hasselt.