Marian Helper Spring 2013

physical and chemical activities of the brain to expert in New York who was told nothing human behavior), Dr. Castanon has been called about the circumstances surrounding the upon by the Vatican to conduct research case so as to not prejudice the study. Dr. throughout the world. Zugibe testified that the sample was a frag- His presentation moved many in the audi- ment of a heart muscle and contained a ence to tears. large number of white C “I found Dr. Castanon's talk OURTESY OF blood cells, which is telling. to be extremely powerful,” “It is my contention that said Shrine Rector Fr. Ken the heart was alive, since B Dos Santos, MIC. Father Ken RYAN white blood cells die outside a T noted that the nature of Dr. HATCHER living organism,” Dr. Zugibe Castanon’s formal science edu- said. “They require a living cation — which “taught him organism to sustain them. to be an atheist, to trust in Thus, their presence indicates only what he can see, touch, that the heart was alive when and demonstrate” — only the sample was taken. What underscores the miraculous is more, these white blood nature of his current work. cells had penetrated the tis- “His work,” said Fr. Ken, sue, which further indicates “echoes the sentiment of that the heart had been Blessed John Paul II, who under severe stress, as if the said that faith and science owner had been beaten are like two wings leading severely about the chest.” people to God.” ‘I must talk about this’ Beyond the shadow Dr. Castanon said that he The Miracle of Lanciano (shown and his colleagues were of a doubt in this reliquary) is officially If it’s the scientific method recognized by the Catholic Church astounded by this news. people need to believe, then it’s as a Eucharistic miracle. Around When informed that the the scientific method that Dr. 700 in Lanciano, Italy, a Host analyzed sample came from a Castanon can provide. became Flesh and the wine Blood consecrated Host, Dr. Zugibe Indeed, there may not be as a doubting priest spoke the replied that it was an “inex- any better way to tear down Words of Consecration at Mass. plicable mystery to science — the barrier between science and faith than by a mystery totally beyond his competence.” proving Christ’s declaration at the Last Super Moreover, Dr. Castanon said that the blood on when He held the bread and said, “This is My the Host in Buenos Aires is type AB — just like body” and held the cup of wine and said, “This that of Eucharistic miracles elsewhere, includ- is My blood” (Mk 14:22-24). ing Lanciano, as well as the blood discovered on Among the most famous examples of such the famous Shroud of Turin, proof is found in the Miracle of Lanciano in Italy, “I must talk about this,” Dr. Castanon said, in which a Host became Flesh and the wine “because we have lost respect for the Eucharist.” became Blood around 700. Studies throughout In his Shrine presentation, Dr. Castanon the centuries have validated the claim. also shared studies he and his team did on a In 1999, called in to research the alleged plaster statue of Jesus Christ in Bolivia that Eucharistic miracle in Buenos Aires, Dr. began weeping and bleeding in 1995. An Castanon discovered incredible similarities X-ray revealed the statue had not been with the famous Host in Lanciano. tampered with. After isolating the statue The Buenos Aires case began in 1996 when from all contact, Dr. Castanon captured the a Host was accidently dropped during phenomenon on video. Communion. As is the custom, the priest placed Upon taking samples of the more than 90 the Host in a container of water and put it into scabs that had formed on the statue, tests the Tabernacle, where it was expected to dis- revealed that the scabs were comprised of two- solve. Several days later, the priest was startled thirds human blood and one-third plant material to discover the Eucharist had grown in size and — a thorn, possibly, that originated from a dry was covered with red splotches. Eventually, the environment “like Palestine,” Dr. Castanon said. Host looked like a piece of flesh. “When I see these things in the 21st century Dr. Castanon had a sample from the … this is the hand of God,” Dr. Castanon said. “I Host sent to Dr. Frederick Zugibe, a forensic think this is a very special gift for us.” MMHH MARIAN HELPER • SPRING 20 13 • www.marian.org 9.

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