Some narrators say it happened in 1246 and others that it took place in 1226. There lived in the village of Santarem (Portugal) a poor woman whose life was made miserable by her unfaithful husband. Weary of so much unhappiness, she decided to consult a sorceress who promised the woman that all her difficulties would disappear if she would bring her a consecrated Host. After great hesitation, the poor woman decided to commit the sacrilege. After being heard in confession at the Church of St. Stephen, she proceeded to the altar and upon receiving the Blessed Sacrament, removed It from her mouth and carefully wrapped It up in her veil. Hurrying to the sorceress' cave, she didn't notice the drops of Blood that fell from her veil. Others who saw the Blood inquired as to why she was bleeding so profusely. Confused, she ran home and hid the Holy Sacrament in a wooden chest.

Her husband returned and in the middle of the night, they awoke to see the house lit up by mysterious rays of light which penetrated through the chest. The woman confessed her sin to her husband and both of them spent the rest of the night in adoration. At daybreak, the parish priest was informed and people from far and near rushed to the woman's house to contemplate the Holy Miracle.

The Blessed Sacrament was then taken in procession to the Church of St. Stephen where it was placed in a small case of wax. Some time later another miracle was manifested. When the Tabernacle was opened for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the wax case was found broken in pieces and the Holy Sacrament encased in a beautiful crystal pyx. This pyx was placed in a gold-plated silver monstrance and can be seen today.

Remain With Me
Fr. Sam Tiesi, T.O.R