Catholic miracles that science still cannot explain

FOR a miracle to be recognized by the Catholic Church, it has to defy the laws of nature and science. For centuries, many extraordinary events have challenged both believers and skeptics. From unexplained healings to sacred relics, many have been the subject of scientific studies—but the results have not always been conclusive.

In this gallery, we bring you some of the most famous Catholic miracles that are yet to be explained by science. This is not to say that there are no theories as to why and how these happened, but thus far, definite scientific evidence is still lacking.

Curious? Discover the Catholic miracles that science still can’t explain.

Miracle of the sun

In May 1917, three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, claimed they saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who told them she would appear on the 13th day of the next six months.

On October 13, 1917, an estimated 70,000 people gathered on the spot and witnessed what became known as the Miracle of the Sun. “The silver sun...was seen to whirl and turn,” reported local newspaper O Dia.

Scientific hypotheses range from a mass psychological phenomenon to solar retinopathy (damage of the retina), which would occur after staring at the sun for long periods of time. None have, however, been proven.

Incorruptible bodies of saints

Bodies decompose after death, but this did not happen to a number of Catholic saints. The bodies of these saints appeared remarkably well preserved, even many years after death. These “incorrupt” bodies are considered miracles.

Studies later found that some bodies had naturally mummified or were preserved by environmental conditions, such as cold chambers, but not all of them.

Science still hasn’t been able to explain how the bodies of saints such as St. Ubald of Gubbio, Blessed Margaret of Savoy, and Blessed Savina Petrilli remain uncorrupted.

Our Lady of Lourdes and the healing water

On February 11, 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing the Virgin Mary at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France.

During later apparitions, the girl was instructed by the Virgin Mary to dig with her hands until she found an underground water spring. This spring flows to this day, and its water is said to have healing properties.

Since 1862, more than 7,000 healings have been reported to the Lourdes Medical Bureau. Although the majority have been discarded, 66 of them have been officially recognized as scientifically unexplained.

Our Lady of Zeitoun

Between 1968 and 1971, there were millions of reports of people claiming to have seen a glowing figure of the St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Zeitoun, Egypt. Witnesses included both Christians and Muslims.

Police investigations found no evidence of projectors or lighting equipment, so the hypothesis was discarded. Many believers consider the appearances to be miracles, whereas skeptics attribute them to mass hysteria, but science is yet to come up with a definitive answer.

Consecrated hosts that survived disaster

Father Angelo Ciancotti discovered 40 consecrated hosts (wafers used in the Holy Eucharist) inside the damaged Our Lady of the Assumption church 16 months after the 2016 earthquake in Italy.

The hosts were reportedly well preserved, with no signs of mold or deterioration. According to the nuns who made them, the wafers were made from flour and water only, and had no preservatives.

The weeping statue of Our Lady of All Nations in Akita

In 1973, deaf nun Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa from Akita, Japan, reported seeing bright lights, angels, and hearing messages from the Virgin Mary. This occurred while she was praying before a wooden statue.

Stigmata from the statue were also reported. Between 1975 and 1981, the wooden statue was said to weep, sweat, and bleed on several occasions. Lab tests identified the fluids as human blood, sweat, and tears, although later samples showed inconsistent blood types, likely due to contamination.

Several people claimed to have been cured after praying before the statue, which was carved from a Judea tree in 1963.

St. Januarius’ liquefying blood

St. Januarius died a martyr circa 305 CE. The dried blood of the patron saint of Naples is said to liquefy three times a year. The phenomenon happens on the first Saturday of May, on September 19, and on December 16.

When the blood fails to liquefy, it’s interpreted as a warning sign of future disasters. The blood has never been unsealed from its container, so rigorous scientific tests are yet to be performed.

The Miracle of Lanciano

The Miracle of Lanciano occurred in Italy in the 8th century. A monk reportedly saw the consecrated bread and wine become human flesh and blood during Mass. This is known as transubstantiation.

The example of transubstantiation is kept in an ivory reliquary. It became known as the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church.

In 1971, pathologist Dr. Edoardo Linoli concluded the tissue was human heart muscle and the blood was type AB. The tests also found there were no preservatives. Years later, the findings were reviewed by the World Health Organization. Hundreds of lab tests were conducted, and they all confirmed Linoli’s findings.

The Virgin of Guadalupe

In December 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared three times to Aztec Juan Diego near present-day Mexico City, requesting that a church be built in her honor.

The Virgin Mary then instructed Juan Diego to fill his tilma (cloak) with roses from a hillside (even though they didn’t grow in the winter) and take them to the bishop. When he opened his tilma, the roses fell and an image of the Virgin appeared on the fabric.

The image has remained intact over the centuries. Years later, in 1929, photographer Alfonse Marcue identified a microscopic reflection of human figures in the painting’s right eye. Ophthalmologists and researchers have studied it and failed to reach conclusive answers as to how and why it exists.

Miracles of levitation

St. Joseph of Cupertino reportedly began levitating during prayer and Mass circa 1630.He was canonized in 1767 and became the patron saint of aviators and students.

Other saints, including St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Padre Pio, were also said to be able to levitate. Thus far, there has been no scientific explanation for the phenomenon.

Therese Neumann’s stigmata

German mystic Therese Neumann reportedly developed stigmata in 1926. She displayed wounds resembling those of Jesus Christ on the cross. These were present in her hands, feet, head, and back.

In 2006, DNA studies confirmed the blood for her stigmata was indeed hers. Medical professionals do, however, remain divided over the cause of her wounds.

Therese Neumann’s diet

Neumann also claimed to survive for years on Holy Communion alone. She was observed for 15 days by a medical team, who confirmed it. There are theories as to why this may have happened, including the fact she might have been secretly consuming food. Nevertheless, none has been proven scientifically.