STIPHOUT

NETHERLANDS, 1342

Eucharistic Miracle of

In the Eucharistic miracle

of Stiphout, consecrated

Hosts were preserved from

a raging fire that destroyed

the whole church, which was

later rebuilt. In addition to

the many documents

describing the miracle,

one can admire a painting

depicting the miraculous

episode in the parish church

where it occurred.

This event is venerated

each year by the residents of

Stiphout especially on the

feast of Corpus Christi.

n 1342 a violent thunderstorm suddenly

broke out in the village of Stiphout. A light-

ning bolt struck the parish, setting it on

fire. The flames quickly spread everywhere and

reached the interior of the church. Not knowing

what to do, the elderly pastor, Jan Hocaerts,

immediately ran to warn the neighbors. A group

of the faithful, led by Jan Baloys, decided to try

to rescue the Blessed Sacrament.

It was impossible to enter the church,

and the only solution left was for someone to be

lowered down through the window. Jan Baloys

volunteered. After breaking the glass of the large

window near the altar with a bar, he let himself

down inside. With great amazement, he saw that

the flames which had already destroyed the whole

church were being kept away from the area

around the tabernacle. Jan then opened the

tabernacle, grabbed the ciborium containing

the consecrated Hosts, and carried them to

safety. Everyone immediately shouted miracle.

The church was later rebuilt and the Hosts

remained intact until 1557. Because of historical

vicissitudes and religious wars every trace of

them was subsequently lost.

© 2006, Istituto San Clemente I Papa e Martire / The Real Presence Association, Inc.

Interior of Saint Trudo’s Church

Saint Trudo’s Church, Stiphout

Picture showing the miracle.

At the bottom Jan Bolloys is seen rescuing the Blessed Sacrament

I