Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano at a glance

According to the tradition preserved by the sanctuary, the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano dates to the 8th century. During Mass, an Eastern-rite monk who was struggling with doubt about Christ's real presence in the Eucharist is said to have seen the host become flesh and the wine become blood.

The relics are now kept in the Church of St Francis, Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle, in the historic centre of Lanciano, Abruzzo. A careful account distinguishes the religious tradition, which interprets the event as a miracle, from the surviving historical documentation and from laboratory findings produced many centuries later.

History of the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

Sanctuary tradition places the episode in the ancient church of San Legonziano, within the area that later became part of the St Francis complex. During Mass, the monk is said to have witnessed a visible transformation of the Eucharistic elements.

The written accounts that survive today are later than the period in which the event is traditionally placed. For that reason, a historically careful description refers to an 8th-century tradition rather than presenting later narratives as contemporary records.

Over the centuries the relics were kept by different religious communities. After the arrival of the Franciscans in the 13th century, the site became associated with the Church of St Francis and developed into one of Lanciano's best-known religious destinations.

The relics and the Sanctuary of St Francis

The sanctuary displays a relic traditionally identified as flesh and five clots traditionally identified as blood. The complex includes the Church of St Francis and areas connected with the earlier church of San Legonziano.

The Eucharistic Miracle has made Lanciano an international pilgrimage destination. Visitors can combine the sanctuary with a walk through the historic centre, including Piazza Plebiscito, the Basilica of Madonna del Ponte and the city's old districts.

What did the 1970-71 scientific analyses report?

In 1970 the relics were examined under the direction of Professor Odoardo Linoli, with Professor Ruggero Bertelli involved in the work. Results published in 1971 reported that the analysed flesh sample was human striated myocardial tissue and that the blood sample was human blood of group AB.

These findings concern the nature of the samples that were tested. They do not, by themselves, scientifically establish a supernatural origin for the event; the word “miracle” belongs to the religious interpretation. Keeping those two levels separate makes the sources easier to assess.

Visiting the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano in Italy

The sanctuary is in the historic centre of Lanciano, inside the Church of St Francis. Opening hours, Mass times, group visits and pilgrimage arrangements can change, so the official sanctuary website is the best place to check current information before travelling.

• Town: Lanciano, Province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.
• Area: the Borgo district in the historic centre.
• What to see: the relics, St Francis Church and the historical/archaeological areas of the complex.
• Before visiting: check current access and service times on the official website.

Sources and further reading

This page separates documentary and historical information from religious interpretation. Primary and institutional sources include: