Worshippers at a Catholic church in Indiana thought that they had found a miracle once they discovered red marks on a communion wafer – the truth was much less exciting.
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis said the wafer was found when it fell out of a Mass kit and “when it was discovered, red spots were present”.
Several parishioners were understood to consider the red substance was the blood of Jesus Christ, and due to this fact a Eucharistic miracle.
The archdiocese said: “Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and every has been thoroughly and punctiliously reviewed.”
But, a scientific evaluation debunked claims of a miracle at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris.
The archdiocese announced on Monday that a biochemical evaluation revealed the marks were attributable to “fungus and three different species of bacteria, all of that are commonly found on human hands.”
The evaluation confirmed that no blood was present on the wafer.
The Catholic faith teaches that wine and a bread wafer signify the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Typically, they’re consecrated by a priest at Mass.
The host, or bread, with red marks had fallen out of a Mass kit at St. Anthony Church.
Before the evaluation, some members of St. Anthony Church were enthusiastic about what may be found.
“We have such a bit of town. You can drive through and blink and also you’re through it,” Shari Strassell, a church member, told WKRC-TV.
“It means the world, it does, and I feel there’s something special about our church up here.”
It comes as Assisi, the medieval Italian town revered because the home of Saints Francis and Clare, is experiencing a latest wave of pilgrim fervour.
The focus of this burgeoning devotion is Carlo Acutis, a millennial teenager set to be canonised on April 27.
