The Eucharistic Miracle of Kraków

MIRACLES-panels 11/02/08 14:34 Page 58 The Eucharistic miracle of Krakow relates to consecrated Hosts that emitted an unusual bright light when they were hidden by thieves in a muddy marsh, The thieves had stolen a monstrance containing conse- crated Hosts from a church in the village of Wawel (outside of modern-day Krakow) They ul- timately abandoned the mon- strance and Hosts in a marsh outside of the village, where the miracle took place, The Church of Corpus Christi in Krakow, Poland contains pain- tings depicting the miracle as well as documents and deposi- tions relating to the matter, n the year 1345, King Casimar III the Great of Poland gave orders to build a church named Corpus Christi in honor of the Eucharistic miracle that was veri- fied that same year. It had taken place in the village of Wawel, near Krakow. Some thieves broke into a little church ( Collegiate Church of All Saints), which was a short distance from Krakow.

They forced their way into the taberna- cle and stole the monstrance, which contained consecrated Hosts. Of but when they figured the mons ance was not made of real POLAND, 1345 muddy marshland that was prevalent in the area. Priests from the church began a search, but they did not hold out much hope.

When darkness fell, however, a mysterious light ema- nated from the spot where the treasure had been abandoned. Bright flashes of light were vi- Sible for several kilometers. Frightened villagers approached the area and reported back to the Bishop of Krakow.

The bishop called for three days of fasting and prayer. On the third day, he led a procession out to the marsh. There, they found the monstrance, and within it they found the Hosts, which were unbroken and were the source of the unusual lights. The people began to pray and to celebrate the mira- clee Annually on the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi, the miracle is celebrated in the church of Corpus Christi in Krakow.

gold, they threw it (including the Hosts) into the