The Truth Behind 'Miracle' Communion Wafers At Indiana Church Leaves Many Stunned

Some strange red marks that showed up on a communion wafer at a church in Indiana had people in the area wondering if it was a miraculous sign—maybe proof that something truly sacred was going on at their church. But, as it turns out, the wafer wasn’t responsible for anything divine after all.

Earlier this month, churchgoer Shari Strassell spoke with WKRC-TV about the curious situation unfolding in her small town. The buzz began after pictures were posted online showing what looked like communion wafers from the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris, Indiana, marked with a red-colored substance.

In Catholic tradition, communion wafers represent the body of Christ, and they are typically taken during Mass along with a small sip of wine, which symbolizes the blood of Christ.

But according to Father Jacob DuMont, who also spoke to WKRC-TV, that red substance spotted on the wafer might have been a sign of something much more extraordinary—a potential ‘eucharistic miracle’.

He explained his view, saying: "When a eucharistic miracle happens, you will actually see that miracle in the sense of that change that defies nature, so that this piece of bread or this wine actually turns into flesh or blood."

Shari Strassell, clearly touched by the possibility, shared her feelings too: "It means the world, it does, and I think there is something special about our church up here."

Still, Father DuMont made it clear that they weren’t jumping to conclusions. He said they planned to investigate the mysterious marks further to better understand what might have caused the red color, adding: "We don't know for sure yet but if eventually that does come to be, that's something very special, a great sign that Christ's living presence is here among us. When we have things like miracles they give evidence to this belief."

To get to the bottom of things, the wafer was sent off to a specialized laboratory for testing. And now, the test results have been released.

Sadly for those hoping for a miracle, the answer wasn’t divine at all. Instead, it was entirely microbial.

The wafer was covered in a red substance Facebook/Corpus Christi for Unity and Peace

On Monday (March 24), the Archdiocese of Indianapolis confirmed that the wafer had undergone a thorough biochemical analysis.

The lab tests showed the presence of fungus along with three types of bacteria. All of them are common and typically found on human skin or hands.

They also confirmed that no blood was detected on the wafer. The communion host had apparently fallen from a Mass kit used at St. Anthony Church.

Wafers from the church were tested after the finding Local 12

"Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and each has been thoroughly and carefully reviewed," the archdiocese stated.

Before the results were made public, a number of people online were already expressing doubts about the wafer showing real blood. One person, in response to Father DuMont’s interview, said: "I'm into eucharistic miracles. However, as with every claim, have an open mind and be skeptical. I think they should first test it for red mold or bacteria, then test to see if it is blood and tissue."