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.
No it's not secret, you need proper form, matter and intent for any valid Sacrament, you can find specifics for each Sacrament in the Catholic Encyclopedia or a good catechism.
But yes the Eucharist is a Divine Mystery, -Mysterium Fidei has been proclaimed in every Latin Rite Catholic Mass at the Consecration of the wine:
HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET AETERNI TESTAMENTI: MYSTERIUM FIDEI: QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM PECCATORUM
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS
... that is until the modernists created the Novus Ordo to be more palatable to Protestants, but that's a whole other thread...
I believe you are, but then I'm not the pope or magisterium.
I once attended a charismatic mass, received communion, came home upset, knelt down to ask God if this was right, suddenly became nauseus and threw up in the toilet. I flushed the toilet. That was the end of that.
I'm wondering if the little boy tried to swallow the host whole. He could have choked.
I'm sure the bread where you worship is just bread, so do not under any circumstances worship or adore it.
Protestant communities lack form, matter and intent (valid Holy Orders for one) and therefor no minister can consecrate the Eucharist.
The truth is that it is a wafer.
False. A validly Consecrated Host is not just a wafer, Christ is really and truly present substantially and Sacramentaly, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. However barring the gift of supernatural faith you cannot "see", meaning accept and submit to this Divinely revealed truth.
And so, I will bid you ado, and get back to my duties of being a wife and mother, which I have sadly neglected today, and I will remember you in my prayers.
Goodness gracious, as if there wasn't enough confusion on this thread already.
I thought it was no longer a wafer. If it is not just a wafer, then it is still a wafer, is it not?
Yes, I can definitely relate to that. I didn't either. So I let it dissolve in my mouth. Finally I sort of got over that.
Oh you are exasperating, (and Catholics are accused of being like lawyers)I was just using your words. I'm shaking the dust from my sandals now and moving on. I will pray for you though. Good night.
In matters pertaining to salvation it is important to be precise.
Truth has been known to astound.
Lol. I've noticed that too. Its like when in a discussion I'm hoping I'm not on the clock. :-)
Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi
Good night all!
"In matters pertaining to salvation it is important to be precise."
_____________________________________
JESUS was very straight forward when he discussed salvation.
The SCRIPTURES are very straight forward in most matters.
It was only when human "tradition" became equal to SCRIPTURE that we had to become so "precise".
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