A woman, instructed by a sorceress, stole a consecrated Host and placed it over a fire. The Host transformed into bleeding flesh. Terrified, she wrapped it in a cloth and buried it in her stable. The relic was later recovered and has been preserved in the Church of Sant'Agostino for over 750 years.
History
In 1273, a woman named Ricciarella, wife of Giacomo Stasio, was unhappy in her marriage and consulted a sorceress for help. The sorceress told her to steal a consecrated Host from church and burn it, then mix the ashes into her husband's food as a love potion. Ricciarella stole a Host during Communion and brought it home. When she placed it on a tile over the fire, the Host transformed into bleeding flesh, with blood flowing onto the tile. Terrified, Ricciarella wrapped the flesh and the bloodstained tile in a cloth and buried them in her stable. For seven years she kept the secret, tormented by guilt. Finally, she confessed to Father Giacomo Diotallevi, a local Augustinian friar. The friar recovered the relic from the stable and found it perfectly preserved. The miraculous flesh and the bloodstained tile were brought to the Church of Sant'Agostino in Offida, where they have been venerated ever since. The relic was examined and approved by the local bishop, and the miracle has been commemorated annually for over 750 years.
Scientific Findings
The relic has been preserved for over 750 years. The flesh and bloodstained tile have been examined at various points in history. The preservation of organic tissue for such an extended period without decomposition is considered scientifically remarkable.
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