What Happened After a Priest Put This Communion Wafer In a Glass of Water Is Being Called a Miracle — and Now the Salt Lake City Diocese is Investigating

The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City is investigating claims that a communion wafer "bled" for three days after it was placed in a glass of water following a Mass last week, with the diocese releasing a statement confirming that faith leaders are investigating the purported miracle.

"Recently, reports of a bleeding host at St. Francis Xavier Church in Kearns have been circulating within the diocese," Msgr. M. Francis Mannion said in a statement. "Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, Diocesan Administrator, has appointed an ad hoc committee of individuals with various backgrounds to investigate the matter. The work of the committee is now underway."

Mannion said that the results will be released to the public, though there are no current plans to make the communion wafer — which is currently in the hands of the diocese — available for viewing.

The wafer gained widespread attention in recent days after a parishioner returned it to a priest at St. Francis Xavier Church, who subsequently placed it in water. Typically, these wafers simply dissolve pretty quickly, but some are claiming that a miracle unfolded instead.

After three days, the wafer was reportedly still not dissolved — and it appeared to be "bleeding," with a red substance coming out from within it, KSTU-TV reported.

Is it a miracle — or something that can be explained through science and reason? That remains to be seen, though Mannion said that it's important for people to keep the faith, regardless of what the diocese ends up concluding.

"Whatever the outcome of the investigation, we can use this time to renew our faith and devotion in the greatest miracle — the Real Presence of Jesus Christ that takes place at every Mass," he said.

Communion wafers and wine are served at Catholic Masses and are considered to be the "body and blood of Christ." Read more about it here.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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