Conversion, the Real Presence and the Holy Rosary

Legnica Miracle/NCRegister

In our efforts to faithfully comply with the mission of Christ to unify Christians in the truth, let us be mindful of a recent Catholic Herald article wherein a former chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Dr. Gavin Ashenden, converting to Catholicism this Advent4, said

(...) he was helped in his conversion by taking up the Rosary and by looking into Eucharistic miracles. “The fact that [the miracles] were unknown amongst those who celebrated the Anglican version of the Eucharist, carries obvious implications(.)”

Testimonies bearing the mark of genuine conviction in the manifestation of God can help us refine our understanding of authentic mission in order to develop the means by which we, for the sake of souls, may better serve the will of God to engage and invite our fellow human beings to embrace God's loving offer of a new and hope-filled life.

Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. (Genesis 28:16)

Take note of Dr. Ashenden's comment that such miracles "were unknown amongst those who celebrated the Anglican version of the Eucharist."

Let us turn to a fairly recent event which occurred on Christmas Day in the Year of Our Lord 2013.

Legnica, Poland

On Christmas Day 2013, a consecrated Host fell to the floor, the bishop said. It was picked up and placed in a container with water. Soon after, red stains appeared on the host.

Then-Bishop of Legnica, (the Most Reverend) Stefan Cichy, created a commission to monitor the host. In February 2014, a small fragment was placed on a corporal and underwent testing by various research institutes.

The final medical statement by the Department of Forensic Medicine found: “In the histopathological image, the fragments were found containing the fragmented parts of the cross striated muscle. It is most similar to the heart muscle.” Tests also determined the tissue to be of human origin, and found that it bore signs of distress.

Saying that the Host “has the hallmarks of a Eucharistic miracle,” Bishop Kiernikowski explained that in January 2016 he presented the matter to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Evidence of Jesus' Real Presence is surely a convincing testimony worthy of consideration by those who, professing the Christian Faith, desire to be more closely configured to the Church Jesus Himself founded. Evidence of Jesus' very flesh should be a persuasive example locating in time and in a specific place Jesus' promise to be with His Church always. And, if Jesus be there in His Church, i.e., His Catholic Church, there, too, should His disciples be.

In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. - The Message of Fatima

Dr Ashenden was also clear that the Holy Rosary played a significant role in his conversion. May those with ears and minds desiring truth respond to the invitation God extends through the Rosary.