Deepertruth: Totus Tuus! Eucharistic Miracle Skete Egypt 3rd Century

The account of this Eucharistic miracle goes back to the first centuries of Christianity and is found in the collection of apothegms of the Fathers of the Desert who lived as hermits in Egypt following the example of St. Anthony the Abbot. A monk was assailed by strong doubts regarding the Real Presence of Jesus in the bread and wine consecrated at Mass.  After the Consecration the Infant Jesus was seen in place of the bread.  Three other monks who were assisting at the Mass witnessed the same vision.

In the sayings and deeds of the Desert Fathers, we find a description of an ancient Eucharistic miracle. Fr. Daniel the Faranite attests: “Our Fr. Arsenius told us of a monk of Skete who was a hard worker but lacked instruction in the Faith. In his ignorance he would say: ‘The Bread we receive is not really the Body of Christ, but a symbol of that Body.’ Two monks heard his statement and, knowing that he was a good and pious monk, decided to speak to him since they attributed his words to ignorance rather than to malice. So they went to him and said: ‘Father, we heard someone saying something contrary to the Faith: that the bread we receive is not really the Body of Christ, but a symbol.’ The Priest said, ‘I am the one who says this!’ They then began to exhort him,‘you must not believe that, but rather believe what the Catholic Church teaches. We believe that bread is the Body of Christ, and this chalice is the Blood of Christ, really and truly, and not a symbol.’ The accused replied: ‘Unless you can show me evidence, I will not change my mind.’The other monks told him, ‘this week we will pray to God about this mystery, and we believe that God will show us the truth.’