Can't believe no one has posted the obvious yet...
Posted on 03/24/2006 6:06:40 AM PST by marshmallow
DALLAS. A “host” kept in a jar of water for four weeks grew fungus and bacterial colonies in a natural process, a laboratory report concluded about an incident in a local parish church that created public speculation.
A March 23 letter from Dallas Bishop Charles Grahmann to the pastor of St. James Parish relayed that what some were calling a ‘miracle’ of a host “contains nothing of a supernatural nature.”
The letter to Msgr. Mario Magbanua states: “At my request the object you submitted to me, around which there was heightened publicity, was presented to Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden, chairman and associate professor of biology, University of Dallas, and Dr. Frank Doe of the same department, for tentative identification and characterization of the object.”
The bishop said that after analysis was done he was provided with their conclusion.
They told the bishop: “We conclude that the object is a combination of fungal mycelia and bacterial colonies that have been incubated within the aquatic environment of the glass during the four-week period in which it was stored in the open air.”
The bishop further wrote: ““From this conclusion the phenomenon was of the natural order and contains nothing of a supernatural nature. Thus, you need to remove yourself from any further activity surrounding this matter and its exaggerated claims.”
The incident began about a month ago when a young boy received the Eucharist at Mass and then became sick in the restroom. Ushers who checked on him found the intact host in the bin.
The ushers reportedly summoned Msgr. Magbanua, who came to retrieve the host. He put the host in water to dissolve, where it remained unseen until March 19. Its appearance had changed, viewers said.
Within hours people were coming to the church to see the host, which is located in a low-income area and has approximately 2,000 registered parishioners.
Fueled by telephone and e-mail stories saying a miracle had occurred, as well as media reports, curious scores of the faithful hoping to see something extraordinary began to show up.
Among those was Shirley Vilfordi, a member of St. Rita Parish in Dallas. She was among those who suggested people should not be too quick to rush to conclusions, and thanked those who took quick action to discover the truth.
“We praise God for our beloved church who wants to investigate these things thoroughly rather than falsely mislead the faithful,” Vilfordi said as the investigation was ongoing.
There have been other cases in past years when a host received fungal and/or bacteria contamination when it was not properly consumed and/or disposed.
Church officials said the matter is now closed and called on faithful to end any further speculation.
Hint: be respectful to other others.
bump
It was no sidestep. Earlier you implied there was something you thought impossible for Christ to do, therefor I don't think you really know what you believe. I have no idea what you mean when you say "I believe the Apostles' Creed", if you really did you would be Catholic. However, you may be saved if you die in a state of sanctifying grace, so while you are still breathing there is hope.
How many men do you know who are conceived by the Holy Ghost?
How many men do you know that possess two natures in a hypo-static union?
Your questions indicate you are being obtuse, I can't tell if it is intentional.
Are you saying that Jesus only "appeared to be" human? Or was he fully human?
It seems that Mrs. Murphy is of the opinion that Jesus' humanity was merely an illusion. Kinda like the accidents and appearances, i.e., that Jesus appeared to be human to our senses but that he was actually only Deity.
Using that analogy, then you could not argue for the actual presence of Christ's flesh in the Eucharist, since Christ's actual flesh was merely an accident and appearance of his divinity.
So what is it? Was Jesus human? Or was his humanity merely an illusion?
A short yes or no answer will suffice?
No.
It seems that Mrs. Murphy is of the opinion that Jesus' humanity was merely an illusion.
No it is not, that is your misunderstanding. Christ was fully human and fully God at the same time, however mere senses of those who saw him would not recognize His Divinity, unless it was revealed by supernatural faith. Just like you do not recognize Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament because you lack the supernatural faith to do so.
Good!
Christ was fully human and fully God at the same time
That is correct, however, if you wish to use that as an allusion to the Eucharist, then you would have to say that after the consecration, the wafer is fully wheat and fully God. Are you prepared to say that? If not, then I suggest you find a new analogy.
You have yet to say whether or not I will be saved due to my belief, that Christ is my salvation. Period.
***though Scripture stems from the Church and Tradition, you eschew them for a Scripture alone mindset***
Scripture stems from the church and tradition? What was Jesus quoting, if not scripture. Is it not scripture that you quote when you say your church was founded from Peter?
Would that be whole wheat, or holy wheat.
Sorry, i was bad. (slap)
Did I mention that while in Rome I saw Eucharist kits for sale? They were in the same shops that sold various rosaries, robes and unmentionables. These stores appeared to be one stop shops for nuns and priests.
Can't believe no one has posted the obvious yet...
The Euracrist being God? thats just silly.
The entire universe being 3000 years old? ya that makes sense.
Apparently you can purchase them online.
These breads are more wheaten and have three different incised designs which have a significance for one receiving in the hand. 500 wafers (two packets of 250) in decorative box. Cavanagh Company offers by far the best altar bread. All breads have a carefully molded sealed edge which prevents crumbs. They are baked of only pure wheat flour and water and are made strictly without additives. Cavanagh breads are produced in the United States in an exceptionally clean and modern automated facility. The breads are sealed minutes after baking and are untouched by human hands. Cavanagh packaging is superior to all other forms and many options are available to meet your individual requirements.
No I don't think that's necessary at all. My analogy may not be perfect, but I think it's pretty dang good, I don't think there are any perfect analogies when it comes to explaining Divine revelation.
Christ is really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, under the appearance of bread and wine. One cannot not know this by by natural senses only by the gift of supernatural faith.
In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas,
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
I don't know what you mean when you say that. You implied before that you think there are things that are impossible for Christ to do, and if you believe that I don't know if you even know Who you are talking about when you speak of Christ.
But not Physically. He is spiritually present. We are not to worship Christ in the flesh, but in spirit and truth. The truth is that it is a wafer. You can pretend it is more than that, but it isn't. We are to worship God, not wheat thins.
If you didn't actually worship the wafer, I think it would be harmless to think that there is some mystical transformation, but when you get to treating the wafer as if it were God himself, then I think you have crossed the line into idolatry.
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