The Guardian Angel: Eucharistic Miracle of Amsterdam

Did you listen to today's Gospel about the young man who asked Jesus what he must do? How ofter do we see his reply in the world today? How many people that we are around and know are like the young man that knew the truth, he knew Jesus and could not give up his wealth for eternal life. What should we do especially when it is someone we love? Let us answer this with love tonight. God bless, GregoryMary

The Eucharistic miracle of Amsterdam regards a consecrated Host that was preserved from flames. Ysbrand Dommer was gravely sick and vomited a Communion Host he received. His maid threw the Holy Eucharist into the lit fireplace. The consecrated Host was found the next day completely intact and suspended in air in the middle of the fireplace. There were many witnesses to the miracle, and the bishop of Utrech, Jan van Arkel, immediately authorized devotion. Even today in Amsterdam, every year there is a procession in honor of the miracle.

On March 12, 1345, a few days before Easter, Ysbrand Dommer, thinking he was near the end of his life, sent for the parish priest of the church of Oude Kerk so he could receive the Last Rites. Shortly after receiving Holy Communion, he vomited everything into a small basin whose contents were then thrown into the flames of the fireplace.

The next day Ysbrand was completely restored to health. One of the maids taking care of him approached the fireplace to poke the fire and noticed a strange light centered on the Host that was intact. The woman began to scream and everyone within earshot ran to witness the miracle. Ysbrand recovered the Host and wrapped the Holy Eucharist in a linen cloth that was placed in a case and immediately carried the Blessed Sacrament to the parish priest.

But the miracle continued: three times the priest had to return to Ysbrand’s house to recover the Host that miraculously re-appeared there. It was then decided to turn Ysbrand Dommer’s house into a chapel.

On Easter Sunday, everyone who had witnessed the miracle, and the mayor of Amstel, compiled a report of the events. The report was delivered to the Bishop of Utrech, Jan van Arkel, who authorized devotion to the miracle.

In 1452 the chapel was destroyed by a fire, but strangely the monstrance containing the miraculous Host remained intact. In 1665 the city council authorized Father Jan Van der Mey to convert one of the houses of the former convent of the Beghine into a chapel. Here the precious monstrance was transferred, but unfortunately was shortly afterwards taken by unknown thieves.

Even today there is perpetual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in memory of the miracle. The only objects that remain from the Eucharistic miracle are the case that contained the Sacred Host, the documents that describe the miracle, and some paintings housed in the Historical Museum of Amsterdam. Every year there is a silent procession (Stille Omgang) in honor of the miracle on the eve of Palm Sunday.