ASTIITALY, 1535

In both the Eucharistic miracles of Asti, real bloodgushed out from the consecrated Hosts, and thereare numerous documents thatconfirm these events. In thefirst miracle, Mons. ScipioneRoero had a notary act drawn up and, on November6, 1535, Pope Paul III granted a plenary indulgenceto anyone who visited theChurch of San Secondo onthe anniversary of the miraculous event

1535On July 25, 1535, while celebrating Mass at themain altar of the Collegiate Church of San Secondoat about 7:00 o’clock in the morning, a holypriest by the name of Domenico Occelli preparedto break the Host and noticed that, along theentire break, the Host was becoming red withliving Blood. Three drops fell into the chalice anda fourth one remained at the extreme end of theHost. At first, Fr. Domenico continued the celebration of the Mass. But when he broke offthe portion of the Host that had to be placed inthe chalice, Blood came out of the Host. Hecould not believe his eyes, and he turned to thepeople, asking them to come to the altar and observethe miracle. When the priest was about toconsume the Host, the Blood disappeared at once

and the Host returned to the natural purity ofthe Eucharist. These are the facts as described inthe translation of the official report sent byBishop Scipione Roero of Asti to the Holy Seeand reproduced in the Apostolic Brief ofNovember 6, 1535. In this Apostolic Brief PopePaul III granted a plenary indulgence to those“who visited the Saint’s church on the day commemorating the miracle and recited threeOur Fathers and Three Hail Marys accordingthe intention of the Holy Father.”

According to another document,reproduced in an inscription on marble, on thatoccasion some heretical soldiers converted tothe faith. In those days, Asti was under thedominion of Emperor Charles V, and many ofhis troops were living in the city. This account

is found in the Vatican archives from which acopy was made in 1884 at the request of CanonLongo and is also found in the book of theCompany of the Most Blessed Sacrament, founded in the Collegiate Church of SanSecondo as far back as 1519. Other testimoniesare a 16th century painting in the Chapel of theCrucifixion depicting the miracle, as well as aninscription on marble with the words: Hic ubiChristus Ex Sacro pane Effuso sanguine Exteram vitraxit fidem Astensem roboravit - Here, havingshed Blood from the Holy Bread, Christ drewforeigners to the faith and strengthened that ofthe people of Asti.

© 2006, Istituto San Clemente I Papa e Martire / Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association

Oil Painting on canvas (of an unknown 17th century painter) depictingthe Eucharistic miracle that took place in the collegiate church of San Secondo in 1535. The painting is kept in the chapel of the miracle

Interior of the collegiate church of San Secondo

Collegiate church of San Secondo in Asti

G. Badarello (toward the end of the 17th century), collegiatechurch of San Secondo, altar of the crucifix or of the miracle

Eucharistic Miracle of