Mysterious red marks that appeared on a communion wafer at a church in Indiana prompted locals to wonder if meant there was 'something special' about the establishment - but even if that's the case, it has nothing to do with the wafer.
Earlier this month, church member Shari Strassell spoke to WKRC-TV about what had occurred in her 'little town' after photos emerged online which appeared to show the communion wafers at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris, Indiana, covered in a red substance.
The wafers are supposed to be representative of the body of Christ and are usually given at communion alongside a sip of wine, which is representative of the blood of Christ.
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However, Father Jacob DuMont suggested to WKRC-TV that the red substance on wafer the could be an example of a 'eucharistic miracle'.
He said: saying: "When a eucharistic miracle happens, you will actually see that miracle in the sense of that change that defies nature, so that this piece of bread or this wine actually turns into flesh or blood."
Sharing her excitement, Strassell added: "It means the world, it does, and I think there is something special about our church up here.”
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Father DuMont acknowledged at the time that an investigation would be taking place to shed more light on why the wafer was red, saying: "We don't know for sure yet but if eventually that does come to be, that's something very special, a great sign that Christ's living presence is here among us. When we have things like miracles they give evidence to this belief."
The bread was sent to a professional lab, and now the results are in.
Unfortunately, there's no miracle here - but there is bacteria.
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On Monday (March 24), the Archdiocese of Indianapolis said that a biochemical analysis of the wafer revealed only 'fungus and three different species of bacteria, all of which are commonly found on human hands'.
There was no blood on the wafer, which is said to have fallen out of a Mass kit at St. Anthony Church.
“Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and each has been thoroughly and carefully reviewed,” the archdiocese said.
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The findings come after some internet users were skeptical that the wafer could really show 'blood', as one person responded to Father DuMont's interview to say: "I'm into eucharistic miracles. However, as with every claim, have an open mind and be skeptical. I think they should first test it for red mold or bacteria, then test to see if it is blood and tissue."
Topics: Catholic Church, Religion, Science, Health
Emily Brown