The Eucharistic Miracle of Meerssen

MIRACLES-panels 11/02/08 14:34 Page 66 In 1222 and 1465, two important Eucharistic miracles took place in the town of Meerssen, The first occurred during Holy Mass, when living Blood dripped from the large Host and stained the corporal, The second occurred in 1465, when a farmer was able to rescue the relic of the miracle from a fire that had destroyed the whole church, The church was later rebuilt, and in 1938 Pope Pius Xl raised it to a minor basilica, Numerous pilgrims come every year to Meerssen to venerate the relic of the miracle, ith the help of Gerberga of Saxony, wife of the French King Louis IV of Outremer, the ancient chapel was enlarged in the mid tenth century and became an important church. In 1222 an important Eucharistic miracle occurred in this church and was recognized by the ecclesiastical authorities. During the celebration of Sunday Mass, the priest consecrated the Eucharistic species, and living Blood started to drip from the large Host, staining the Mass corporal.

& & broke out and destroyed the churh u a farmer managed to rescue the relic of the Blood-stained Host, which remained completely unharmed. The townspeople remember this episode as the "Miracle of the Fire." Despite the fire, the church was immediately NETHERLANDS, 1222-1465 Meerssen Panoramic view of the basilica iiiHiiÅ Altar of the miracle Medals commemorating the miracle Ancient painting in the basilica depicting the miracle rebuilt, and in 1938 Pius XI raised it to a minor basilica. Today it is still a major pilgrimage center in the Netherlands, and the precious relic of the miracle is carried in procession each year on the octave of Corpus Christi.