The Guardian Angel: Eucharistic Miracle of Asti, 1535

Each of you are in my love and prayers in Christ, the following is another beautiful Eucharistic Miracle from a loving God to help you in your walk to eternity. Share with those you love. Also there is information of an apostolate that can increase your faith, hope, love, peace, joy, and wisdom. God is definitely interested in you. Love and prayers in Christ, GregoryMary There is just so much to worry about, if we choose to, which is why we must remember the beautiful words of God given to the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 41:10):

Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.

Eucharistic Miracle of Asti, 1535

In both the Eucharistic miracles of Asti, real blood gushed out from the consecrated Hosts, and there are numerous documents that confirm these events. In the first miracle, Mons. Scipione Roero had a notary act drawn up and, on November 6, 1535, Pope Paul III granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who visited the Church of San Secondo on the anniversary of the miraculous event 1535 On July 25, 1535, while celebrating Mass at the main altar of the Collegiate Church of San Secondo at about 7:00 o’clock in the morning, a holy priest by the name of Domenico Occelli prepared to break the Host and noticed that, along the entire break, the Host was becoming red with living Blood. Three drops fell into the chalice and a fourth one remained at the extreme end of the Host.

At first, Fr. Domenico continued the celebration of the Mass. But when he broke off the portion of the Host that had to be placed in the chalice, Blood came out of the Host. He could not believe his eyes, and he turned to the people, asking them to come to the altar and observe the miracle. When the priest was about to consume the Host, the Blood disappeared at once and the Host returned to the natural purity of the Eucharist.

These are the facts as described in the translation of the official report sent by Bishop Scipione Roero of Asti to the Holy See and reproduced in the Apostolic Brief of November 6, 1535. In this Apostolic Brief Pope Paul III granted a plenary indulgence to those “who visited the Saint’s church on the day commemorating the miracle and recited three Our Fathers and Three Hail Marys according the intention of the Holy Father.”

According to another document, reproduced in an inscription on marble, on that occasion some heretical soldiers converted to the faith. In those days, Asti was under the dominion of Emperor Charles V, and many of his troops were living in the city. This account is found in the Vatican archives from which a copy was made in 1884 at the request of Canon Longo and is also found in the book of the Company of the Most Blessed Sacrament, founded in the Collegiate Church of San Secondo as far back as 1519.

Other testimonies are a 16th century painting in the Chapel of the Crucifixion depicting the miracle, as well as an inscription on marble with the words: Hic ubi Christus Ex Sacro pane Effuso sanguine Exteram vi traxit fidem Astensem roboravit - Here, having shed Blood from the Holy Bread, Christ drew foreigners to the faith and strengthened that of the people of Asti.

The Marian Catechists

Around 1980, the Holy See asked Father Hardon to organize a catechetical training program for Blessed Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity as catechists. Later, Father Hardon founded an association, the Marian Catechists, so that any committed Catholic could benefit from these same training courses. He also provided comprehensive and indispensable guidelines for a member's spiritual life, the Marian Catechist Manual, available from Eternal Life. As the Marian Catechist Manual makes clear, a Marian Catechist's mission, active or contemplative, is to re-Christianize his or her little corner of a now pagan America. Blessed Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, all of whom have taken the courses, give us some idea of the tremendous potential of the Marian Catechist Apostolate when reinforced by the Home Study Courses. If you would like to learn more about how to become a Marian Catechist or are just interested in knowing more about them, visit The Marian Catechists website for complete details.

The Marian Catechist Apostolate

If you are interested in service to the Catholic Church through the teaching of the Faith, please consider joining the Marian Catechist Apostolate. The heart of the Marian Catechist Apostolate is to fulfill Christ’s directive to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, so that in knowing God, all might love Him; that in loving Him, all might serve Him; that in serving Him, all souls might be saved. To this end, the purpose of the Marian Catechist Apostolate is twofold:

To cultivate love of the Holy Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and unswerving loyalty to the Holy Father and the Magisterium (the teaching authority) of the Catholic Church.

To prepare members to share the gift of Christ’s truth and love, as found in its fullness in the teachings and practice of the Catholic Church, through the Apostolate of Catechesis.

The mission of the Apostolate is to form and nurture catechists for the teaching and sharing of the Catholic Faith. Marian Catechists must be heroic souls whose spiritual and doctrinal formation equips them for active participation in the new evangelization of America. Understanding that the foundation of all true and effective catechesis is a vibrant spiritual life, the spiritual formation of each Marian Catechist is vitally important; our efforts to share the Faith will be futile unless our lives attest to its beauty and richness. We become authentic witnesses to Our Lord Jesus Christ through a holiness of life and a life of prayer that develops and is nurtured slowly over time.

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, D.D., J.C.D. International Director, Marian Catechist Apostolate

In addition to growing in personal holiness, members of the Apostolate are formed doctrinally by learning the Faith in a manner that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Each of the four courses in our doctrinal formation is designed for home-study, although assistance is available from the International Office upon request.

Take the First Steps

Most people considering becoming a Marian Catechist have many questions. If you are interested in pursuing membership, we suggest you begin by reading Cardinal Burke’s essay, Re-Christianize America, which explains Father Hardon’s vision for the Apostolate. Next, you may want to look at the following articles:

Father John A. Hardon, Master Catechist Blessed Mother Teresa and Father Hardon’s Courses The Holy Rosary, School of the Marian Catechist Apostolate

At that point, if you sense that the Holy Spirit might be calling you to become a Marian Catechist, please read about the doctrinal and spiritual formation of Marian Catechists under the Formationtab.

The Marian Catechist Apostolate is a membership organization. An annual fee of $25 for United States, $35 for Canada, $50 for International Members (US funds only) helps to meet the administrative costs of the International Office and must be renewed each year. Inquirers who are prepared to begin the Marian Catechist formation are invited to print the Annual Membership Application. Your completed Membership Application should be mailed to the International Office. At the same time, you may begin doctrinal formation by ordering and starting the Basic Catholic Catechism Course, Revised and Updated by Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke from our bookstore at 608-782-0011 or Bookstore@MarianCatechist.com.

If you have questions, read Frequently Asked Questions. If your questions are still not answered, please contact us.

An Invitation from Cardinal Burke to become a Marian Catechist

I write to all those who have been associated with the Marian Catechist Apostolate since its foundation by the beloved Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, S.J., and to those who have come to know the Marian Catechist Apostolate since his death on December 30, 2000.

Over the years, as I met with Father Hardon we thoroughly discussed the essential elements of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, and I began to promote the use of his courses for the training of teachers in the Diocese of La Crosse, and to encourage catechists to become Consecrated Marian Catechists. When he became gravely ill, Father Hardon asked me to assume the direction of the Marian Catechists upon his death.

In the Marian Catechist Manual (available from the Marian Catechist Bookstore), Father Hardon sets forth plainly the origin, purposes and activities of Marian Catechists. The Marian Catechist Manual is the vademecum, the handbook, for all Marian Catechists. If you have any questions regarding the status and activities of the Apostolate, please consult this helpful guide.

In the future, God willing, the International Office of the Marian Catechist Apostolate will be located at the Father John Anthony Hardon Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Shrine will fittingly house this Center at which Marian Catechists can gather for private study and reflection, spiritual and doctrinal courses, and spiritual retreats. The Center will be dedicated to the memory of Father Hardon and will house the Archive and Guild of the Servant of God. For now, however, the International Office is temporarily located in the lower level of the Pilgrim Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse.

I invite you to give yourself to the service of Christ as either an Active or a ContemplativeConsecrated Marian Catechist. Those who are unable to complete the doctrinal studies and/or the spiritual practices are invited to participate in the work of the Apostolate as Associate members.

If you have not already done so, I ask you to register officially through the International Office in order that you may receive the special graces which come from participation in the Apostolate.

Registration also makes it possible to share important information and makes it easier to organize meetings and retreats. To register, simply fill out and mail an application form, or send us your name and address and we will mail you information along with an application. Anyone who wishes to identify him or herself as a Marian Catechist is required to register.

Finally, in accord with Father Hardon’s directives, the Marian Catechist Apostolate practices the evangelical counsel of poverty. Therefore, the Marian Catechist Apostolate welcomes donations. I ask for your generosity in helping to provide for the material needs of the Apostolate.

Please keep the Apostolate and me in your prayers. Be assured that I pray each day for all members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate. May Almighty God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—bless you, your home and your apostolate of catechesis.

I confide you and your intentions to the all-loving intercession of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America and Star of the New Evangelization.

Yours devotedly in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke International Director of the Marian Catechist Apostolate