Not only has Our Lord seen fit to speak to some of His saints from the Eucharist, but it has also pleased Him to favor certain of His saints by appearing to them within the consecrated Host. In this way He has rewarded their devotion, strengthened them in trials and crowned their virtue.

One recipient of such favors was St. Philip Neri, who is the founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. St. Philip often employed a gentle jest to veil the miracles that constantly surrounded him.

There were times, however, when his spiritual experiences could not be dismissed or disguised. One such instance occurred as he celebrated Mass on Christmas Eve.

After the Consecration, St. Philip saw the Host transform itself into the Child Jesus. The saint's rapture was noticed by others in the church; to those who questioned him about this, he confided that the beauty of the vision surpassed earthly description. On other occasions, St. Philip was privileged to behold within the Sacred Host a multitude of angels and the glory of Paradise.

Eucharistic Miracles
Joan Carroll Cruz