A phenomenon during consecration
On November 15, 2013, during a regular morning Mass at Christ the King Church in Vilakkannur, Kerala (India), the then parish priest, Father Thomas Pathickal, witnessed an extraordinary event. As he raised the large host at the moment of consecration, he noticed a mysterious stain on it. According to witnesses, as the liturgy progressed, the stain became brighter and gradually revealed what was identified as the face of Jesus Christ.
Ecclesial validation process
The phenomenon immediately attracted thousands of faithful, requiring even the intervention of local authorities to manage the crowds. Three days later, the diocese removed the host to begin a rigorous process of scientific and theological evaluation. The parish, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Tellicherry, subsequently sent the Eucharist to Rome for examination. After years of research, including a detailed study by the Syro-Malabar Church's Theological Commission following Vatican guidelines, a favorable ruling was issued.
Official recognition and veneration
In May 2025, the Vatican officially confirmed the authenticity of the miracle. A statement published on the event's official website recognizes it as such. Previously, on September 21, 2018, Archbishop George Njaralakatt had solemnly placed the host, already declared a "Relic of Divinity," on a side altar of Christ the King Church for the prayer and veneration of the faithful. Church authorities indicated that it should remain in that special place, without being placed on the main altar or used for Eucharistic Adoration itself.
Impact on the community
According to testimonies collected by the parish, the event has had a profound spiritual impact. Baby Joseph Payikatt, former parish administrator, said that for years hundreds of people came to pray before the relic and that the phenomenon "had brought about considerable changes in the spiritual and social life of the parishioners." Archbishop Njaralakatt also requested that the "supernatural signs and events" resulting from this event be documented, emphasizing its significance for the faith of the community.
Original source: es.churchpop.com (published June 18, 2025)
Photo: Sonika Agarwal on Unsplash
