Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia
1330 St. Rita of Cascia Feast, May 22
A consecrated host carried carelessly in a breviary was found to have bled onto the page, still preserved today.
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Plan your own visit How long to stay, how to get there, what to see, and what to bring. Travel guideWhat happened here
The Story
The Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia is associated with a reported event that occurred near Siena, Italy, in 1330. Although the event took place in Siena, it became known by the name of Cascia because the principal relic has been preserved there for centuries, today within the Lower Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia. According to the account maintained by the Basilica and Monastery of Saint Rita, a priest was summoned to bring Holy Communion to a seriously ill man. Instead of carrying the consecrated Host in a proper sacred vessel, the priest placed it between the parchment pages of his breviary and carried the book under his arm. After hearing the sick man’s confession, the priest opened the breviary to retrieve the Host. He reportedly discovered that the Host had released blood, adhered to the parchment and stained both pages of the book. Disturbed by what he had seen and recognizing that he had treated the Eucharist carelessly, the priest left and sought the guidance of Blessed Simone Fidati of Cascia, an Augustinian friar who was preaching in Siena at the time. Blessed Simone examined the breviary and, with the priest’s permission, took possession of the two bloodstained pages. When he later returned to Umbria, he reportedly left one page at an Augustinian convent in Perugia and brought the other—the portion associated with the bloodstained Host—to his community in Cascia. Public veneration of the relic developed there, and the shrine’s official pilgrimage materials state that Pope Boniface IX confirmed the miracle’s authenticity in 1389. The surviving relic consists of a small piece of parchment bearing the stain traditionally associated with the Host and blood. It is preserved in a reliquary in the Lower Basilica of Saint Rita, near the remains of Blessed Simone Fidati. Pilgrims may visit the basilica to pray before the relic and reflect on Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. The central meaning of the Cascia miracle is closely connected with reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. The priest’s careless treatment of the Host is followed by shock, repentance and a renewed awareness of the sacredness of Holy Communion. The account therefore serves as both a sign of Eucharistic faith and a warning against treating the Eucharist casually or merely as an ordinary object. Catholic teaching holds that Jesus Christ is truly, really and substantially present in the Eucharist under the appearances of bread and wine. The Cascia tradition is understood as an extraordinary visible sign pointing toward the reality Catholics believe is present at every valid celebration of Mass. The miracle is not intended to imply that Christ is more fully present in the relic than in an ordinary consecrated Host. Rather, it invites believers to receive Holy Communion with greater faith, preparation and gratitude, and to approach the Blessed Sacrament with the reverence owed to the living presence of Jesus Christ.
How to read this account
Church Recognition
A recognized devotion; the bloodstained page is venerated in Cascia.
Catholic Teaching
A call to reverence for the Eucharist and to faith in the Real Presence.
Go Deeper
Visit the official website of the Basilica and Sanctuary of St. Rita of Cascia (https://santaritadacascia.org), which documents the relic of the miracle; see also the Cascia panel in St. Carlo Acutis's International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles and the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1373–1381 on the Real Presence.
Useful before you go
Plan Your Visit
The Pilgrim’s Quick Card
- Ideal stay
- Half Day Allow 2-4 hours for the church, miracle site, and Mass
- Best months
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct Comfortable weather and fewer peak-season crowds
- Nearest airport
- Perugia (PEG) Continue by road through Umbria
- Language & currency
- Italian · Euro (€) English availability varies; major shrines often assist
- Feast day
- May 22
- Accessibility
- Good Main shrine areas are generally manageable; verify locally
Plan the trip
How Long Should I Stay?
Half Day is a practical amount of time for Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia. Allow 2-4 hours for the church, miracle site, and Mass.
- Minimum: Half Day for the principal shrine or church and personal prayer.
- Recommended: Half Day so you can include Mass, the main devotional focus, and time to explore without rushing.
- Extended stay: Add a second day for a slower pace and nearby sacred sites.
Pilgrim Tip: Leave at least one unscheduled block for quiet prayer; pilgrimage sites often become most meaningful after the checklist is finished.
Best Time to Visit
Best Overall
Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct
Comfortable weather and fewer peak-season crowds.
Peak Periods
Major feast days, school holidays, summer weekends, and organized diocesan pilgrimages can bring larger crowds. Book lodging and transportation earlier if your dates overlap a major celebration.
For a Quieter Pilgrimage
Choose a weekday outside the busiest holiday period and arrive early in the day.
Feast Day
May 22 can be a particularly meaningful time to visit, but expect larger crowds and special schedules.
Pilgrim Tip: Always check the shrine calendar before booking; the most spiritually rich dates are often also the busiest.
Getting There From the United States
Best Gateway: Perugia (PEG)
For most pilgrims traveling from the United States, Perugia (PEG) is the most practical arrival point. Continue by road through Umbria.
From the airport, continue toward Cascia by the most practical combination of rail, bus, rental car, taxi, or pre-arranged transfer. For remote shrines, a private transfer or rental car is often simpler than piecing together local connections.
Typical U.S. Routing
United States -> Perugia (PEG) -> Cascia -> Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia
Our recommendation: Compare total travel time, not airfare alone. A slightly more expensive flight that removes a long ground transfer can make a pilgrimage much easier.
On the ground
Getting Around
You generally do not need a car once you are near Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia. The sacred site and its immediate historic center can usually be explored on foot, with local buses or taxis available for longer transfers.
A rental car is most useful if this stop is part of a wider regional pilgrimage.
Good to Know: Historic districts may restrict traffic or have limited parking, so check your lodging's arrival instructions in advance.
Where to Stay
Choose lodging in the most walkable part of Cascia, ideally within a short walk or simple transit ride of Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia. That makes it easier to attend Mass and return for prayer without losing time in traffic.
Best For Pilgrims
- Historic-center lodging near the church or shrine
- Religious guesthouses when available
- Hotels near a major transit stop
- Accessible lodging if your group has mobility needs
Pilgrim Tip: Check the actual walking route, not just the map distance; old cities can include steep streets, stairs, or cobblestones.
Accessibility
The main worship and visitor areas at Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia are generally manageable for most pilgrims, though historic thresholds, paving, or side chapels may still create barriers. Accessibility services and entrances can change, so verify current arrangements before traveling.
Pilgrim Tip: If mobility is a concern, choose lodging and transportation that minimize unnecessary walking.
What to do
Most Important Things to Do
Venerate the Eucharistic Miracle
The relic is kept at the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia.
Allow: 30-60 minutes for prayer before moving through the rest of the site.
Attend Mass
If Mass is offered during your visit, make it the center of the pilgrimage rather than an add-on. Check the official shrine or parish schedule shortly before traveling.
Understand the Devotion
Spend time in Eucharistic prayer and learn how the miracle tradition is preserved at the site today.
Explore the Church and Grounds
Look for the principal chapel, altar, crypt, museum, gardens, historic rooms, or pilgrimage route connected with the site. Allow another 45-90 minutes where available.
Pilgrim Tip: Arrive early or stay later than large tour groups when possible; the atmosphere is often much quieter.
Suggested Pilgrimage Itinerary
Half-Day Pilgrimage
- Begin at Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia and spend time in quiet prayer.
- Attend Mass if the schedule aligns with your visit.
- Visit the principal shrine, tomb, relic, apparition site, or historic chapel.
- Go to Confession when available.
- Finish with another short period of prayer before leaving.
Have more time? Add other churches and sacred sites in Cascia.
Mass, Confession & Prayer
When possible, attend Mass at the church connected with the Eucharistic miracle and spend time in Eucharistic Adoration. Confession and devotional hours vary by parish and pilgrimage season.
Use the current schedule provided by the shrine, parish, diocese, or religious community shortly before visiting.
Pilgrim Tip: Avoid building your itinerary around an old fixed Mass time. Liturgical schedules can change seasonally and on feast days.
Practical
What to Bring
Pilgrimage Essentials
- Rosary
- Small Bible or prayer book
- Written prayer intentions
- Journal and pen
- Reusable water bottle
Practical Items
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Small backpack
- Portable phone charger
- Modest clothing for churches
- Payment card plus a small amount of Euro (€)
Pilgrim Tip: Pack lightly enough that you can spend the day walking and praying without managing unnecessary gear.
Before You Go
Before leaving:
- ✓ Check current opening hours
- ✓ Check Mass and Confession information
- ✓ Write down your prayer intentions
- ✓ Confirm airport and ground transportation
- ✓ Check the weather
- ✓ Pack comfortable walking shoes
- ✓ Confirm accessibility needs in advance
- ✓ Carry appropriate church clothing
- ✓ Leave room for quiet prayer
Most Important: Do not experience Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia only as a historic attraction. Make time for prayer, the sacraments when available, and the devotion or biblical event that gives the place its meaning.
Additional Information
The relic is kept at the Basilica of St. Rita in Cascia.
Official Information
Check the shrine, parish, diocese, or custodian's official website for current opening hours, liturgies, closures, and pilgrimage notices.
Currency
Italy uses Euro (€). Carry a payment card plus a small amount of local cash for offerings, small cafés, or local transport.
Local Language
Italian is the principal language for this destination. English availability varies, but major international shrines often have multilingual staff or printed material.
Religious Etiquette
Dress respectfully, silence phones during prayer and Mass, avoid photographing worshippers at close range, and follow any local rules around relics, tombs, confessionals, or restricted chapels.
Pilgrim travel note: Mass times, opening hours, costs, accessibility, and local conditions can change. Please confirm important details directly with the shrine and your providers before you travel. Travel Disclaimer
Travel with a group
Prefer to travel with a group?
No guided pilgrimages that include Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia are listed yet. Many parishes and dioceses organize their own trips, so ask at yours.
Continue your pilgrimage
Sacred places nearby
- Basilica of St. Rita (Tomb of St. Rita) The tomb of St. Rita, patroness of impossible causes, whose incorrupt body is venerated. <1 mi
- Shrine of St. Carlo Acutis (Assisi) The remains of St. Carlo Acutis rest in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore at the Sanctuary of Spogliazione i… 31 mi
- Basilica of St. Clare (Tomb of St. Clare) The tomb of St. Clare, foundress of the Poor Clares, whose incorrupt body is venerated. 31 mi
- Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi The burial place of St. Francis of Assisi and one of the great pilgrimage churches of Catholic history. 32 mi
- Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels (Porziuncola) Encloses the Porziuncola, the little chapel at the heart of the Franciscan movement. 32 mi
- Basilica of San Bernardino The burial place of St. Bernardine of Siena. 32 mi
- Eucharistic Miracle of Offida A host abused in an act of sorcery was reported to turn to bleeding flesh; the relic has been preserved for c… 38 mi
Information & sources
- Church recognition
- Church-recognized devotion · How the Church judges Eucharistic miracles
Mass times, admission and travel requirements change. Confirm them with the official source before you visit.
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