Today, 8 June, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This celebration is marked by the Catholic Church 60 days after Easter in order to reinforce the importance of the Eucharist in the Christian life. To mark this day, we want you to know about the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem.

The Most Holy Miracle occurred in Santarém in the 13th century, and it is still today the object of intense veneration in the city. According to the Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle on its website, this miracle occurred in 1266, or 1247 according to some chroniclers.

There lived, in Santarém, a woman who was mistreated by her husband and, tired of suffering, went to ask a witch to put an end to her suffering. The witch then promised her an "effective remedy", for which she would need a consecrated host.

At this request, the woman went to St. Stephen's Church, where she went to confession and received the consecrated Host, which she discreetly took from her mouth and wrapped in her veil. Immediately afterwards, she walked to the witch's house. However, halfway there, blood began to flow from her veil, with no apparent explanation. Confused, the woman ran to her house and put the consecrated host in a chest.

In the early morning, the woman and her husband woke up and saw the whole house glowing. Mysterious rays of light came out of the chest where the consecrated host was kept. The rest of the night was spent in adoration.

At daybreak, the parish priest of the region was informed of what had happened, and the news spread through Santarem. The now "Sacred Particle" was then carried in procession to the Church of Santo Estêvão, where it was kept inside a kind of wax custodian.

Some years later, in 1340, when the tabernacle was opened to expose the "Sacred Particle" for the adoration of the faithful, as was the custom, the wax was in pieces and, to their amazement, it was discovered that the "Sacred Particle" was enclosed in an ambule of crystal, which had miraculously appeared. This small amber was placed in a silver-gilt custodian, where it is still to be found today.

Many people from all over the world visit the Shrine of the Most Holy Miracle. You can learn more about the Eucharistic Miracle in this week's WYD Minute: