Grelina Osmeña Christian College

R. V Fulache St. Hilongos, Leyte

Eucharist Miracles: Is it True or a Fraud?

A term paper submitted to the faculty and staff of Grelina Osmeña Christian College (GOCC) in

Hilongos, Leyte in a partial fulfillment of the requirements to graduate.

Polea, Arianne G.

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 Eucharistic Miracles: Is it True or a Fraud?

Thesis Statement:

Whereas Eucharistic miracle is the real Body of Christ, Eucharistic miracles are not true

given that some kind of fungi or bacteria caused the sacramental bread to turn crimson red or

like blood.

I. Introduction

A. Body of Christ

1. Sacramental bread

1.1. Definition

B. Eucharistic Miracle

1. The “miracle” of transubstantiation

II. Body

A. The research conducted by scientists

1. Raelian’s research on the body of Christ

2. What caused the sacramental bread to turn to red?

2.1. Fungi that causes bread to mold and turn red

2.2. Bacteria that causes bread to turn red

B. Eucharistic miracles that turned out to be fraud after conducting a research

1. The “bleeding host” in Kearns, Utah

2. Eucharistic miracle in South St. Paul Church

2.1. Fungi that caused the sacramental bread to turn red

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III. Summary

IV. Conclusion

V. Bibliography

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 INTRODUCTION

A. Body of Christ

Sacramental bread

Wikipedia.org described sacramental bread, as sometimes called altar

bread, Communion bread, the Lamb or simply the host (Latin: hostia, sacrificial victim), is the

bread used in the Christian ritual of the Eucharist (also referred to as the Lord's Supper or Holy

Communion, among other names). Along with sacramental wine, it is one of two "elements" of

the Eucharist. The bread may be either leavened or unleavened (appearing as a wafer),

depending on tradition.

B. Eucharistic Miracle

The “miracle” of transubstantiation

According to Merriam Webster, transubstantiation is the miraculous change by which

according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the Eucharistic elements at their

consecration become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of

bread and wine.

Moreover, Matt Slick said in his article “Transubstantiation and the Real Presence”

that transubstantiation is the teaching that during the Mass, at the consecration in the Lord's

Supper (Communion), the elements of the Eucharist, bread and wine, are transformed into

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the actual body and blood of Jesus and that they are no longer bread and wine but only

retain their appearance of bread and wine.

The term "Real Presence," when used by Roman Catholics, refers to Christ's physical

presence in the form of the bread and the wine that have been transubstantiated into His

literal body and blood.

On paragraph 1376 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that, the

Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer

said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always

been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by

the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of

the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of

the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly

and properly called transubstantiation (CCC, 1376).

The Mass contains a series of rituals leading up to the Lord's Supper which also

contains a reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ. Furthermore, transubstantiation states

that the substance of the elements are miraculously changed even though their appearance

is not. In other words, the bread and wine will appear as bread and wine under close

scientific examination, but the true substance is mystically the Body and Blood of Christ.

Synonymous with Transubstantiation is the doctrine of the Real Presence. Where

transubstantiation is the process of the change, the real presence is the result of that

change. In other words, the doctrine of the real presence states that the bread and wine

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contain the actual presence of Christ in bodily form as a result of the process of

transubstantiation. Roman Catholicism states that the incarnation of Christ itself, where

Jesus was a man but contained an invisible divine nature, is analogous to the doctrine of the

real presence.

BODY

A. The research conducted by scientists

1. Raelian’s research on the body of Christ

Ed Brayton (2014) said that testing consecrated communion wafers for the presence of

Jesus, or any other human being is what the Raelians experimented that no one else has yet

thought to do. They even put up a report that looks a lot like a scientific paper.

In their study, they tested the Catholic dogma of transubstantiation by DNA analysis.

Results showed clearly that the rituals performed by the priests during the Eucharist sacrament

have no detectable effect on the substance of altar bread at the DNA level.

Consecrated hosts were collected during communion in 5 different Catholic churches in

the United States and Canada and immediately placed into clean plastic bags to avoid

contamination. A sample of cultured HEK-293 cells, human embryonic kidney, was used as the

human control. Unconsecrated altar bread purchased from a church supply store was used as

the wheat control.

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 Dan Dennett and Grania Spingies (2014) also said that they then amplified the DNA from

diagnostic stretches of each sample, and, as molecular geneticists do, ran it out on gels to see

what it looked like.  The DNA of each sample was amplified with either “wheat primers” (DNA

fragments taken from wheat that will amplify only DNA that matches the wheat sequences) or

“human primers” (ditto, but using human DNA templates). After that, they then stained for

DNA.

Their conclusion was that consecrated wafers do not contain human DNA, though they

could sometimes acquire a bit of it by being handled. After being consecrated, all their DNA still

comes from wheat. They argued that testing DNA doesn’t tell us whether Jesus is in the wafers,

but if they still look and taste like wheat, and still have wheat DNA. They asked that on what

basis can we then claim that the wafers have become the body of Christ.

2. What caused the sacramental bread to turn to red?

2.1. Fungi that causes bread to mold and turn red

In 2019, Mary stated that red mold on bread is one of the most common areas for red

mold strains to grow. Mold “loves” bread as a bacterial food source, especially since it is often

kept in a warm, moist area, such as a plastic bag or bread box. We may not see red mold on

bread until you cut it open, though it sometimes will grow on the outside of the bread. You

should not eat bread that has red mold growing on it; instead, it should be thrown away and

any bread stored with the moldy bread should be inspected for growth.

Timothy Sly (2016) wrote on his article that they encountered a very large variety of

molds growing on food, with a wide range of colors. But colors are not a reliable way to identify

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molds to determine whether they are safe to eat or not. Unless the mold has been introduced

into the food (such as with blue cheeses, gorgonzola, stilton, etc.), it's best not to try eating it.  

 Some molds produce active antibacterial substances (such as penicillin from the Penicillium

mold), while others produce extremely powerful carcinogens (such as aflatoxin, from the

Aspergillus flavus mold),

 Red molds most commonly are Neurospora, with N. crassa often seen in bread. It belongs to

the Ascomycota. It was described centuries ago as "bleeding bread" with connotations to

religious beliefs. A large occurrence of red mold in bread-making was described during the early

1840s in France, possibly due to uncommonly damp harvesting and storage conditions. 

 N. crassa was also used in some of the early genetic studies, as the haploid reproduction cycle

made it possible to easily change its genetic code (using x-rays) and demonstrate dominant and

recessive genes.

He doesn't believe that it is particularly harmful, but to be on the safe side, He would

not eat red mold, or any other color mold unless that mold and all of its products had been well

researched and understood.

2.2. Bacteria that causes bread to turn red

Based on Dr. Alan L. Gillen and Rebekah Gibbs, the church concluded that these red

spots were the blood of Christ for centuries. However, they now know that the red spots were

not blood, but colonies of Serratia marcescens bacteria.

Serratia marcescens has a long history in the church, as well as in microbiology.

Numerous historical incidents recount that the blood red pigment produced by S.

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marcescens growing in bread was interpreted as a sign of blood. S. marcescens also grows well

in damp basements, on food stored in damp places, and is a frequent contaminant in the

laboratory. S. marcescens has a fondness for growth on polenta (corn meal mush), bread and

communion wafers, where the pigmented, aged colonies have been mistaken for drops of

blood.

The objectives of this article are to explain the mysterious appearance of crimson-

colored bacteria on food and communion bread/wafers over the centuries, as well as to

describe the biological basis for the blood-red pigment of  S. marcescens. S. marcescens is a

wonderful example of design commonly seen in the microbial world. It is most noted for its

production of a bright red pigment called prodigiosin. Prodigiosin comes from the Latin word,

prodigiosus, which means wonderful, amazing, miraculous, unnatural (supernatural); divine, or

dealing with wonders. This is why we refer to it as the “miracle” bacillus.

S. marcescens is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped (bacillus), facultative anaerobic bacterium

in the family Enterobacteraciae. S. marcescens is often found in the soil, water, on plants and in

animals, and is especially common in damp conditions. For example, the pink discoloration and

slime (biofilm) on shower corners, toilet basins, and tile grout is S. marcescens bacteria that

derive their nutrition from dead skin cells, skin oils, and soap and shampoo residue. After its

establishment, Serratia can be difficult to eradicate completely, although possible with 3%

hydrogen peroxide or a 5% bleach solution, especially if these solutions are left on the affected

surface for several minutes. Rinsing and drying surfaces after use to remove Serratia’s food

source and make an ordinarily hospitable environment less inviting can also prevent

establishment of Serratia colonies.

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 B. Eucharistic miracles that turned out to be fraud after conducting a research

1. The “bleeding host” in Kearns, Utah

According to Reverend Monsignor M. Francis Mannion (2015) on November of 2015, it

was alleged that a consecrated host (communion bread wafer) from Saint Francis Xavier Church

in Kearns, Utah, appeared to be bleeding. A thorough investigation has concluded that the host

did not bleed, but the change of appearance in the host was due to red bread mold. The

consecrated host has been disposed of in a reverent manner, as is required.

An ad hoc committee designated by the diocese of Salt Lake City undertook an

investigation of the claims. Monsignor Mannion, committee chairman, discussed in detail the

timeline of events leading to the final conclusion, which began in November, when the

consecrated Host was returned to the parish priest after it had been accidentally given to a

child who had not yet made his First Communion. The priest, in conformity with canon law,

placed the Host in a container of water to dissolve.

After three days, a blood-like substance began to appear on the Host, and word of the

alleged miracle quickly spread, resulting in several days of public veneration before the

investigative committee formed by diocesan administrator Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw took

posssession of it. 

The committee was said to consist of individuals with expertise in Catholic theology,

canon law, molecular biology and ministry.

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 Monsignor Mannion notes that in an expeditious but careful manner the committee

enlisted the services of a competent and credible scientist to conduct controlled testing of the

Host and that great care was taken to ensure the reverent handling of the consecrated Host

throughout the scientific examination.

Following this examination, the scientist aided by a "blind observer," discerned the

observed change in the Host could be satisfactorily and conclusively explained by natural

causes, namely the growth of what is commonly known as 'red bread mold,' or red bacteria.

Mannion then went on to officially declared that the observed change in the Host was

not miraculous.

The report also acknowledges the need to establish proper protocols for clergy dealing

with such situations in the future in light of the public display and veneration that occurred over

several days. 

The monsignor stressed that the Church presumes that most situations appearing to be

extraordinary phenomena are actually the result of natural causes, warning that false claims of

miracles cause harm to the faithful and damage the Church's credibility.

In concluding, Msgr. Mannion encouraged Catholics to take this opportunity to renew

their faith and devotion in the great miracle of the Real Presence which takes place at every

Eucharist. ( Church Militant,2015)

2. Eucharistic miracle in South St. Paul Church

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 An article by Rose French (2012) said that the archdiocese had a lab examine a host that

fell to the floor in a South St. Paul church and turned “blood red” in water.

A communion wafer that fell to the floor at a South St. Paul church and turned blood red

is not a miracle. Twin Cities archdiocese officials said Wednesday that the discoloration was

instead caused by a fungus.

The wafer was dropped during mass after it had been consecrated on June 19 at St.

Augustine Church. Catholics believe that after consecration the wafer becomes the actual body

of Christ. In order to show the proper reverence, the host was placed in a chalice-like container

with water so it would dissolve.

However, a week later, the host had not dissolved but had shrunk and turned a blood-

red color, leading some to question whether the church was dealing with something miraculous

or something biological like a fungus or bacteria.

The church's pastor turned it over to the archdiocese for examination. The archdiocese

sent the host to an unnamed laboratory to be tested and released the results Wednesday in a

statement from archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath.

Exhaustive biological analysis by an independent scientific laboratory has determined

that the reddish coloration on the Holy Communion host fragment that was kept in a water

solution after it was discovered on the floor of St. Augustine Church was caused by a fungus.

The host in question has been disposed of in a manner prescribed by church law.

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 While the Catholic Church fully recognizes the possibility of miracles and remains open

to their possibility, it does so with extreme scrutiny, investigation and care. This incident was

the result of natural biological causes and should not be considered in any other way.

Instances of so-called Eucharistic miracles, such as "bleeding hosts" that emit blood,

have been reported by Catholics for centuries. Archdiocese officials said that one of the most

recent reports came from a Catholic church in Texas. In that case, biologists determined the red

color of the host was caused by a combination of a fungus and bacteria that were incubated in

water in a glass stored in the open air.

Susan Brickmann (2011) added that some bacteria, such as serratia marcescens, are said

to grow on bread and Communion wafers that have been stored in damp places, according to

the Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University.

Similar incidents have occurred in recent years, such as in 2006 when a host turned red

in a glass of water at a Dallas church. The Diocese of Dallas had the host analyzed by two

University of Dallas biology professors who found the red color to be attributable to a

combination of fungal mycelia and bacterial colonies.

H. Corby Kistler, a mycologist and adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, said

that Fusarium fungus might have caused the red pigment on the St. Augustine host.

Kistler said that fusarium species are common environmental contaminants and often

infest wheat and wheat products.

2.1. Fungi that caused the sacramental bread to turn red in St. Paul church

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 Fusarium chlamydosporum complex contains five phylogenetically distinct species and is

common in soils and the rhizosphere of numerous vascular plants worldwide. It is occasionally

isolated from human and animal infections.

Colonies growing rapidly, with abundant aerial mycelium, deep pink, red or ochraceous to

brownish; reverse carmine red or tan to brown. Sporodochia orange, flesh-coloured or

ochraceous. Conidiophores scattered over the aerial mycelium, branched; numerous polyblastic

conidiogenous cells are present. Macroconidia rarely produced and appearing only on

sporodochial phialides, usually three-(some up to five)-septate, slightly curved, 30-38 x 3.0-4.5

μm, with no distinct foot-shaped cell. Microconidia and blastoconidia fusiform, rounded apically

and tapered towards the base, single-celled to one-(some up to three)-septate, 6-26 x 2-4 μm.

Chlamydospores abundant, intercalary, often roughened (O’Donnell et al. 2009b, Guarro 2013).

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 SUMMARY

Eucharistic miracle is distinguished to be other manifestations of God because of the

fact that Christ is really made to manifest in the Eucharist. It is said that the sacramental bread

turns into The Body of Christ through transubstantiation or the doctrine of the Real Presence.

Transubstantiation is the miraculous change of the consecration bread and wine to become

the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of both bread and wine.

Some claimed that these miracles are true because of its appearance and DNA tests

from scientists, however, there are evidences that proved that the sacramental bread was

contaminated by a bacterium or a fungus which caused the sacramental bread to turn red.

An example of this bacterium is the serratia marcescens which has a long history in the

church, as well as in microbiology. Numerous historical incidents recount that the blood red

pigment produced by  S. marcescens growing in bread was interpreted as a sign of blood. S.

marcescens has a fondness for growth on bread and communion wafers, where the pigmented,

aged colonies have been mistaken for drops of blood. It is most noted for its production of

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prodigiosin, a bright red pigment. Prodigiosin comes from the Latin word, prodigiosus, which

means wonderful, amazing, miraculous, unnatural (supernatural) or divine. This is why it is

referred as the “miracle” bacillus.

On November 2015, the “bleeding host” in Kenya, Utah was known to be fraud after a

thorough investigation. Reports claimed that the change of appearance of the host was due to

red bread mold which is a problem in Utah. The event happened after a parish priest

accidentally gave a host to a child who had not yet made his first communion. The priest placed

the host in a water to dissolve and after three days, a blood-like substance began to appear on

the host. After knowing that it was a mold, the host was thrown away.

Another miracle incident happened in South St. Paul Church on July 2012. It was said

that it was a combination of fungal mycelia and bacterial colonies which turns into a blood like

substance a week later after it fell to the floor. Researchers said that it was caused by fusarium

species which are common contaminants and often infest wheat and wheat products.

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 CONCLUSION

Based on my research, I conclude that there are kinds of fungi or bacteria that causes

substances like the sacramental bread to turn into a blood- like substance and I believe that

priests or church members may have set up a plan to make others believe that Christ’s

presence is in the sacramental bread through transubstantiation.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread

 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transubstantiation

 Matt Slick, Transubstantiation and the Real Presence,

https://carm.org/catholic/transubstantiation-real-presence

 https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatches/2014/10/31/consecrated-communion-

wafers-are-jesus-free/

 https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/science-proves-that-

consecrated-wafers-are-still-wheat-and-not-jesus/

 https://www.quora.com/Is-red-mold-on-bread-harmful?

fbclid=IwAR2h_PmllPaKzx5kNN6mhpHbd_GawocJxGnwbBN3n6jlo3CW5OEZSQxG0iE

 https://answersingenesis.org/biology/microbiology/serratia-marcescens-the-miracle-

bacillus/

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 https://fox13now.com/2015/12/16/bleeding-host-was-mold-not-miracle-according-to-

diocese/

 https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatches/2014/10/31/consecrated-communion-

wafers-are-jesus-free/

 http://www.startribune.com/blood-red-host-is-no-miracle-lab-tests-show/135632408/

 https://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=11234

 https://mycology.adelaide.edu.au/descriptions/hyphomycetes/fusarium/

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