The Eucharistic Miracle of Middleburg-Lovanio

MIRACLES-panels 11/02/08 14:33 Page 49 This Eucharistic miracle goes back to 1374, In Ste Peter's Church in Middleburg, during Holy Communion the consecrated Host changed into bleeding Flesh, A portion of the Host to this day is kept in Louvain by the Augustinian Fathers, The monk, Jean de Gheest, confessor of the Archbishop who approved the cult, asked The other portion is in Ste Peter's Church in Middleburg, here exists much documentation on the Eucharistic miracle. In a monograph written in 1905 by historian Joseph Wils, professor of the Catholic University of Louvain, entitled Le Sacrement du Miracle de Louvain, are cited almost all the contemporary documents and testimonies. In Middleburg lived a noble woman known by everybody for her great faith and devotion.

The woman was also very attentive to the spiritual formation of her family and household staff. During the Lent of 1374, as she did every year in her house, she began to do penance in preparation for the coming of Easter. A few days before, a new manservant by the name of Jan was hired, who had not gone to confession for many years, in spite of the dissolute life he was living.

The woman invited all the household staff to BELGIUM, 1374 -'lil attended the whole Eucharistic celebration, and when it was time to receive Holy Communion, the man approached the altar with much superficiality. SOOT receu) the Host on his tongue, the Sacrament changed into bleeding Flesh. At once Jan took the Particle from his mouth; Blood dripped from the Sacred Flesh onto the cloth covering the altar rail.

The priest realized at once what was happening, and with great emotion, carefully placed the miraculous Particle in a vessel inside the tabernacle. Jan repented and confessed his sin before everyone. From that day on, he led an exemplary life and nourished a great devotion to the Most Blessed the miraculous event and after diligent investigation the Archbishop authorized the cult of this miraculous event.