About the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena:
Siena is home to a Eucharistic Miracle that is one of the longest on-going miracles in the world. On August 14, 1730, thieves broke in to the Church of St. Francis and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The theft was discovered the next day by Franciscan priests, and the town’s festivities celebrating the Feast of the Assumption were immediately halted. The bishop asked for prayers and reparations as civil authorities searched for the missing ciborium.
On August 17th a parishioner in the Church of St. Mary noticed a bright light coming from a collection box. When the box was opened a large number of hosts was discovered covered by dirt and cobwebs. Counted and examined, these were determined to be the same hosts that were stolen. Normally the priest would have consumed these hosts but since they were covered with dirt and cobwebs it was decided to let them decompose naturally, something that should have taken a few weeks. However, since 1730, the hosts have remained fresh and sweet-smelling. Over the years various tests have been performed that authenticate this miracle.
The hosts are kept here in the Basilica of Saint Francis and displayed publicly on the 17th of each month, which was the day of the month that they were discovered by the parishioner.
On the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Thursday after Trinity Sunday) the hosts are paraded in procession through town.
As of 1951, 133 Hosts remain after a second theft, still venerated in the Basilica.
They’re displayed on the 17th of each month and during the Feast of Corpus Christi.
About the Basilica of Saint Francis (Basilica San Francesco) in Siena, Italy:
Built in the 13th century at the behest of the Franciscans, over time it has undergone numerous renovations and transformations. For instance, following a fire in 1655, it was restored with Baroque additions that did little to match the Romanesque style of the basilica.
At the end of the 19th century, architect Giuseppe Partini decided to dismantle the Baroque altars and remove some paintings to restore stylistic uniformity in the interior. The restoration work also led to the replacement of the original facade in green and white marble stripes (in the same style as the exterior walls of Siena Cathedral) with the current very sober neo-Gothic style made of bricks.
Among the few decorations, it’s worth mentioning the marble cusped gateway depicting St Francis and St Bernardino in adoration of the Virgin and Child with two angels at the sides and Christ with the cross at the top of the cusp.
The rose window has the symbols of the four evangelists on its sides. On the facade are the marble coats of arms of Siena and the families that contributed to the restoration of the basilica. The rose window is the only original element of the 15th-century facade by Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
As for the interior, the basilica consists of a single nave and has an Egyptian cross plan. The wide nave and transept feature roof trusses. The interior walls are characterised by white and green marble stripes (as was the original exterior).
The beautiful crypt of the Basilica is currently used as the Library of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Siena.
Traveling to the Basilica of Saint Francis (Basilica San Francesco) in Siena, Italy:
It’s easily reached by walking down Via dei Rossi, one of the cross streets of Via Banchi di Sopra, a few steps from Piazza Tolomei and Piazza Salimbeni.
Address: Piazza S. Francesco 5, Siena
Phone +39 0577 49406
There is no official website for the Basilica.