Day of the Most Holy Miracle of Santarém
In the year 1247, a poor woman lived in Santarém whose husband greatly offended her, going astray with another woman.
Tired of suffering, she went to ask a Jewish witch to end her misfortune with her spells.
The witch promised her an effective remedy, but for that she needed a Consecrated Host.
After much hesitation, the poor woman consented to the sacrilege. She went to the Church of Santo Estêvão, confessed, and asked for Communion.
Once she had received the Sacred Particle, she carefully removed it from her mouth and wrapped it in her veil. She quickly left the church and headed for the witch’s house. However, without her noticing, blood began to drip from the veil.
Several people saw it and asked the unfortunate woman what wounds she had that were bleeding so much. Extremely confused, she ran home and locked the Miraculous Host inside one of her chests.
Later that day, in the afternoon, her husband returned.
Deep in the night, both woke up and saw the entire house glowing. Mysterious rays of light were coming from the chest. When the man learned of his wife’s sinful act, they both knelt and spent the rest of the night in adoration.
At daybreak, the parish priest was informed of the supernatural prodigy. Once the news spread, half of Santarém rushed to contemplate the Miracle.
The Sacred Particle was then carried in procession to the Church of Santo Estêvão, where it was kept inside a kind of custodia made of wax. Some time later, when the tabernacle was opened to expose the Holy Miracle for the adoration of the faithful, as was customary, the wax was found broken into pieces.
To everyone’s astonishment, the Sacred Particle was now enclosed in a crystal ampulla that had miraculously appeared.
This small ampulla was placed in a gilded silver monstrance, where it remains to this day.
In 1997, by decision of the first Bishop of Santarém, D. António Francisco, the Church of Santo Estêvão was elevated to the status of Sanctuary of the Most Holy Miracle of Santarém.
Source: santissimomilagredesantarem.pt