The Eucharistic Miracle of Rimini (St. Anthony)

MIRACOL1-panneaux 12/05/06 14:33 Page 7 Ihis Eucharistic miracle was per- formed directly by Saint An- thony after he was challenged by a certain Bonovillo to demon- strate the truth of the Real Pre- sence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The most ancient biography of Saint Anthony, L'Assidua (The carries Bonovillo's Untiring), exact words: "Father! I tell you before all these people: I will be- lieve in the Eucharist if my mule, after fasting for three days, adores the Host which you offer him rather than eating the fodder which I give him." The mule, de- spite the fact that it was exhau- Sted by hunger, knelt before the ITALY, 1227 of the Eucharistic miracle performed by Saint Anthony of Padua in 1227.

This epi- sode is also cited in Begninitas, considered one of the most ancient sources regarding the life of Saint Anthony. "This saintly man was speaking with a faithless heretic who was opposed to the sacrament of the Eucharist and whom the saint had nearly led to the Catholic faith. But, after numerous arguments, this heretic declared: 'If you, Anthony, produce a miracle and demonstra- te to me that the Body of Christ is truly Commu- nion, I will completely renounce my heresy and immediately convert to the Catholic faith.

Why don't we have a wager? I'll keep one of my beasts locked up for three days to feel the torments of hunger. F1hen I will bring it forth in public and show it food. You will stand in front of it with what you maintain is the Body of Christ. If the beast, leaving aside its food, hurries to adore its God, I will share the faith of your Church."' Saint Anthony, illuminated and inspired from above, accepted the challenge.

the priest and heretic e ered the Grand Piazza (today the Three Martyrs Piazza). Saint An- thony was followed by Catholic faithful; Bono- villo (this was the name of the Catharist here- tic) by his allies in unbelief. The saint held between his hands the consecrated Host, con- tained in a monstrance; the heretic held his hungry mule.

The saint, after having requested and obtained silence, turned to the mule with hands, I tell and order you: Come forward imme- diately and render homage to the Lord with all due respect so that heretics and evildoers will un- derstand that all creatures must humble themsel- ves before their Creator whom priests hold in their hands at the altar." And immediately the animal, refusing the food offered by its master, docilely approached the priest. It bent its front legs before the Host and paused there reverently. Anthony's adversary was true to his word, and threw himself at the saint's feet denouncing pu- blicly the errors of his ways.

From that day, he became one of the most zealous cooperators of the miracle-working saint.