As the three-year Eucharistic Revival takes hold locally, nationally and globally, a special Eucharistic Miracles exhibit is available in the Diocese of Cleveland to help the faithful develop a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
“Launching this three-year process is no small effort,” said Lynette Saenz, assistant secretary for the Office of Parish Life and Special Ministries. Saenz serves as the chair for the diocesan Eucharistic Revival leadership team. “To educate, encourage and draw others into this renewed personal encounter with Jesus, our diocese has to offer events that will grow the faithful in their devotion,” she said.
One such opportunity, a Eucharistic Miracles exhibit, was developed by SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Twinsburg. The exhibit, which runs Oct. 17-30, is spread across the parish campus. Father Michael Stalla, pastor, estimates more than 3,500 people will experience the exhibit, including about 2,000 schoolchildren.
He and his staff spent months praying to find a way that the parish could foster an engaging encounter with the Eucharist. “We started in February and prayed for a way that our team could help deepen the sense of the Eucharist not only for our own community but for anyone throughout Northeast Ohio of any age,” Father Stalla said. Over time, he said it became clear that the calling was to focus on the Eucharist and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
One member of the team found a website devoted to Eucharistic miracles that had been documented by Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who died from leukemia on Oct. 12, 2006. From an early age, he had been drawn to the Eucharist and was inspired to document some of the Eucharistic miracles that occurred from the time of the early Christians through the early 2000s.
The first recorded Eucharist miracle occurred Lanciano, Italy in 700. In this miracle, there is no deterioration in the blood globules, which are the same blood type found in the Shroud of Turin. There are more than 100 known miracles involving the Eucharist, including instances where a host has taken on the characteristics of flesh – specifically heart muscle – and the wine in the chalice has become blood. In recent years, scientific research has confirmed some of these miracles.
Rather than just show photos and descriptions of the miracles, Father Stalla said his team enhanced the exhibit. There are visual displays about the locations where some miracles occurred as well as recreations of a portion of the Coliseum in Rome, a War Room display, an exhibit about the plague, the Sistine Chapel, a monastery, an area devoted to the Last Supper and a display that incorporates modern science and some of the research and investigation of the recorded miracles.
“We raised $21,000 from donors who wanted to help with the project,” Father Stalla said. The funds were used to make sturdy all-weather posters for the known Eucharistic miracles, including the city, date and documentation of the miracle. They also purchased special lights, stands and other items to help enhance the display.
“Parishioners provided some of their own items for the exhibit at our parish,” he added.
About 54 SS. Cosmas and Damian parishioners were involved in creating, operating and maintaining the exhibit during its time at the parish. Many volunteered to become tour guides. During a recent visit, students from St. Francis de Sales School in Akron and St. Columbkille School in Parma broke into groups and toured the exhibit with teachers, parents and the tour guides. Father Joe Robinson, St. Columbkille parochial vicar, accompanied the group from his parish.
In one area, students viewed a short video about Blessed Carlo. In other areas, tour guides offered information about what life was like for the early Christians, life in a monastery, what happened during the plague and the impact of scientific research on the miracles. They also learned about Michelangelo and the years he spent painting the masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. In the War Room, they saw displays of items relating to wars throughout history and they were able to write a prayer on a “prayer-a-chute.”
Students received a passport that could be stamped at the various stations. They also got a red bracelet imprinted with “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” Blessed Carlo’s motto, and a sticker.
Father Stalla said all Catholic elementary and high schools in the diocese were contacted and offered an opportunity to view the free exhibit.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and the diocesan Eucharistic Revival team also toured the display. Individuals and other groups also could view the exhibit on self-guided tours.
Freewill offerings are accepted from those who experience the exhibit. Father Stalla said the funds would be used to help maintain the exhibit, which will be hosted by parishes throughout the diocese for the next year.
Saenz’s office will coordinate the exhibit’s next stops as it tours the diocese.
Father Stalla said his team will pack up the exhibit and it will travel next to Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood.
Click here to learn more about Blessed Carlo Acutis.
To learn more about the exhibit or to inquire about hosting it, click here.