MORRIS, Ind. (AP) 鈥� A laboratory analysis turned up nothing miraculous about red marks found on a Communion wafer at a Catholic church in Indiana.
The discovery at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Morris was unusual enough for a formal inspection, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis said.
But a biochemical analysis revealed only 鈥渇ungus and three different species of bacteria, all of which are commonly found on human hands,鈥� the archdiocese said Monday, adding that no blood was found.
The Catholic faith teaches that wine and a bread wafer signify the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Typically, they're consecrated by a priest at Mass.
The host, or bread, with red marks had fallen out of a Mass kit at St. Anthony Church.
鈥淭hroughout the history of the Catholic Church, there have been well-documented miracles and apparitions, and each has been thoroughly and carefully reviewed,鈥� the archdiocese said.
Before the analysis, some members of St. Anthony Church were excited about what might be found.
鈥淲e have such a little town. You can drive through and blink and you鈥檙e through it,鈥� Shari Strassell, a church member, told WKRC-TV. 鈥淚t means the world, it does, and I think there is something special about our church up here.鈥�
The Associated Press
