Eucharistic Miracles: And Eucharistic Phenomenon in the Lives of the Saints

I found this book utterly fascinating! Cruz does a great job documenting many Eucharistic miracles throughout the ages, from the first days after Christ's Ascension to modern times. It was amazing to me to read about all these miracles, including well documented cases of saints who lived on nothing but the Eucharist for years! This book is very faith affirming. For those of us who believe in the Real Prescence in the Eucharist, this book is like "hard proof" to strengthen our faith. For those who come to this book not believing, they may leave the book with a strong faith in the Real Prescence. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only complaint is I wish the author could do an updated edition [this one is close to 30 years old now] including modern pictures of the preserved hosts and more updated information. Otherwise, this is just a fantastic and captivating book on many miracles involving the Eucharist.

Joan Carroll Cruz's book "Eucharistic Miracles" comprises a collection of relatively short stories about alleged miracles involving the Eucharist, and scientific documentation that was available to support many of the miracles. Even when the miracles occurred thousands of years ago, the scientific research that was conducted to substantiate the miracles occurred fairly recently (within the past few decades). This is a great book to strengthen the faith of children approaching adolescence, rejuvenate faith of those experiencing spiritual dryness, or just good food for thought for spiritual seekers who enjoy reading stories about the unexplained that have been attributed to God. The stories are relatively short, and would be great for reading in religious education classes. I only wish that Cruz updated the book for the Year of Eucharist, as the most recent miracle she documented occurred in the 1970s. People looking for more recent stories, that also include proof, and better yet personal testimony, should check out Briege McKenna's "Miracles Do Happen."

Joan Carroll Cruz gracefully connects faith and reason by relating the stories of well-documented Eucharistic Miracles throughout history. Especially remarkable are the scientific evidence offered by scientists and doctors who studied the physical evidence of these miracles. Even young children (particularly those preparing for their First Communion) will enjoy many of these stories and benefit from the connections they can make between what they believe and what they can see and understand.

This book is absolutely wonderful. It is divided into three sections. The first, quite short, explains the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist. The second deals with the Eucharistic Miracles such as when the Eucharist looks like flesh and blood comes forth from it. The last section deals with saints and their experiences with the Eucharist, such as levitating at Mass. It is great to think these miracles still happen. The last one recorded in the book is 1970 in Germany. For any person who has doubts on the Catholic teaching, this will strengthen his faith and for everyone else, it shows the awesomeness of our God. The book has both the Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur so there is no need to worry about the book exposing false Cathlic beliefs.

Over 35 famous, amazing, historical miracles of the Eucharist: Hosts that have turned to visible flesh when consecrated, Hosts which have bled. Hosts which have become hard as stone upon being received by a person in mortal sin, Hosts which have levitated or manifested their hidden presence by mysterious lights, etc. Covering a period from Lanciano, Italy (8th century) to Stich, Bavaria (1970), many of these miracles came about after sacrilege had been committed against the Holy Eucharist. Gives information on official investigations made into these events and tells where these miraculous Hosts can be seen and adored. Also describes the extraordinary Eucharistic phenomena in the lives of many saints: saints who lived on the Eucharist alone, raptures and ecstasies during Holy Communion, miraculous receptions, levitation, visions, locutions, and phenomena of tears, fire and light - plus the history of Eucharistic adoration, including Benediction, Corpus Christi, and perpetual adoration. A powerful shot in the arm to the sagging faith of Catholics today. Firmly buttresses the loftiest mystery of the Catholic religion.