Suspension of a Sunburst

Short Summary: A stolen monstrance containing the Eucharist rose into the air and remained suspended in Turin until the Host descended into a chalice.

Details

Location: Turin, Italy

Year: 1453

Prayer: Lord, I believe you are the light of my soul. Thank you for granting me glimpses of your brilliance to strengthen my faith, even small indicators of your presence that appear in everyday encounters. Help my heart to become a Sun of Justice. Let your light shine through me, to build up and inspire those around me today. Amen.

Verse: It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. -Is 25:9

Full Story

Two former soldiers, traveling through the city of Exilles, decided to rob a church. Breaking into one, the men gathered together all the costly items, including vestments, candleholders, and a monstrance from the tabernacle (which contained the Holy Eucharist inside). They packed everything on a mule and left quickly to sell the items in Turin. Once in the marketplace, the mule suddenly stumbled, jolting the items free and scattering them across the ground. Amazingly, the monstrance did not fall - rather, it rose in the air, suspended amid splendid rays of light like a heavenly sunburst. Crowds rushed around to observe the phenomenon. Among the initial crowd were 10 lay witnesses, who later testified to the full sequence of events. The Host remained floating for enough time for the Bishop of Turin to arrive. After prayers of reverence, he held out a chalice into which the miraculous Host slowly descended of its own accord until it rested within the chalice. The events are held as authentic, given the large collection of documents which have been retained. These include three official documents, citizen writings, a record of “Observations” by Bishop Piccolomini (future Pope Pius II), details from the eyewitnessing priest Giovanni Galesio, and statements from the 10 initial onlookers. The miracle became known as the “Sun of Justice”, on account of its brilliance. It was said to have awakened the faith of the community from its prior state of apathy.

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