Category: Netherlands

Netherlands: Bergen

The city of Bergen is famous not only for its characteristic canals but also for a Eucharistic miracle that took place there in 1421. For many months, the pastor of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul had experienced doubt about whether the Body and the Blood of Christ was truly present in the consecrated Host. The priest showed no devotion towards the Blessed Sacrament, so much so that one day after celebrating Mass he took the remaining consecrated Hosts and threw them in the river. Some months later the Hosts were found again floating in the water and stained with blood.

Netherlands: Breda

The Eucharistic miracle of Breda-Niervaart occurred on June 24, 1300. At the time, the Netherlands was occupied by Spanish army troops, and during a pillage a soldier stole a consecrated Host, which was found a short while later by a farmer named Jan Bautoen; it was hidden under a lump of dirt and in perfect condition. One of the most authoritative and complete documents describing the events connected with this miracle is the investigation conducted by the Bishop of Link. Traces of the miracle remain in the church’s paintings as well as in the documents.

Netherlands: Boxtel

Boxtel is particularly famous for a Eucharistic miracle that occurred around 1380. A priest named Eligius van der Aker was celebrating Mass at the altar of the Three Kings. Immediately after the consecration he inadvertently knocked over the chalice containing consecrated white wine, which immediately changed into Blood and stained the corporal and the altar cloth. The relic of the Blood-stained corporal is still kept in Boxtel, while the altar cloth was given to the town of Hoogstraten. The most authoritative document describing the miracle is a decree issued in 1380 by Cardinal Pileus.

Netherlands: Alkmaar

In 1429, in Alkmaar’s Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, a priest named Folkert was celebrating his first Mass. After the consecration, the priest accidentally knocked over the chalice, spilling consecrated wine on the altar and on his chasuble. The wine was miraculously transformed into Blood. Every attempt to remove the traces of Blood from the chasuble was in vain. The precious reliquary of the chasuble soaked in Blood is preserved even today in the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence in Alkmaar.

Netherlands: Stiphout

In the Eucharistic miracle of Stiphout, consecrated Hosts were preserved from a raging fire that destroyed the whole church, which was later rebuilt. In addition to the many documents describing the miracle, one can admire a painting depicting the miraculous episode in the parish church where it occurred. This event is venerated each year by the residents of Stiphout especially on the feast of Corpus Christi.

Netherlands: Boxmeer

During a Mass in Boxmeer, in Holland, in the year 1400, the species of wine was transformed into Blood and bubbled out of the chalice, splashing onto the corporal. As soon as the priest, terrorized at the sight, asked God to forgive his doubts, the Blood stopped bubbling out of the chalice. The Blood that had fallen on the corporal coagulated into a lump the size of a walnut. Even today one can see the Blood, which it has not changed at all over time.

Netherlands: Meerssen

In 1222 and 1464, two important Eucharistic miracles took place in the town of Meerssen. The first occurred during Holy Mass, when living Blood dripped from the large Host and stained the corporal. The second
occurred in 1456, when a farmer was able to rescue the relic of the miracle from a fire that had destroyed the whole church. The church was later rebuilt, and in 1938 Pope Pius XI raised it to a minor basilica. Numerous pilgrims come every year to Meerssen to venerate the relic of the miracle.

Netherlands: Amsterdam Part 1

The Eucharistic miracle of Amsterdam regards a consecrated Host that was preserved from flames. Ysbrand Dommer was gravely sick and vomited a Communion Host he received. His maid threw it into the lit fireplace. The consecrated Host was found the next day completely intact and suspended in air in the middle of the fireplace. There were many witnesses to the miracle, and the bishop of Utrech, Jan van Arkel, immediately authorized devotion. Even today in Amsterdam every year, there is a procession in honor of the miracle.