Orvieto and Second Vespers for the Conversion of St. Paul

Yestersday, I had the pleasure of making a quick trip to Orvieto, which is just North of Rome. Of interest is the Duomo. It is a grand church of the Gothic style.

Inside the church is a Eucharistic miracle. In about 1264, a priest on his way to Rome celebrated Mass in a town near Orvieto and at the time of the consecration, the host began to drip blood onto the corporal. The account of the incident tells us that this priest was experiencing serious doubts about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The corporal was immediately taken to the local bishop and then to Pope Urban IV. It was approved for veneration by the Pope and is considered an authentic miracle. Interestingly, in that same year, 1264, Pope Urban IV universalized the Feast of Corpus Christi and appointed St. Thomas Aquinas to compose appropriate prayers for the Office and Hymns. "Panis Angelicus" and the collect used at Benediction are among St. Thomas' writings for this Feast.

The facade of the Duomo:



A close-up on the top center:



Here is the blood-stained corporal:



We also had the opportunity to attend Second Vespers with Benedict XVI at St. Paul's Outside the Walls.

Here are a couple of photos for you:

Cardinal Kasper giving some opening remarks concernng the closing of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity:



The Papal Benediction:



I am short on time right now, or I would provide more details about yesterday's experiences.

This will be the final post from Rome until maybe next Friday, for we are going on retreat today until then. Pray for us!