Photo by Amy Cherry As part of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibition, this sample panel is displayed in each of the three St. Marys Catholic churches. The exhibition is taking place Sunday at the ECC auxiliary gym.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

The three Catholic churches of St. Marys have joined together to host the Vatican’s “Eucharistic Miracles of the World International Exhibition” taking place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auxiliary gym at Elk County Catholic High School.

The self-guided photographic exhibit features 142 panels which faithfully recounts 128 well-documented miraculous occurrences complete with historical descriptions.

It is presented by the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association of Lombard, IL which has exclusive permission from the Vatican to exhibit the display in the U.S. Real Presence was also asked to translate the exhibit from Italian into English.

A six-member committee consisting of volunteers from St. Marys, Sacred Heart and Queen of the World parishes started working on the project six months ago.

According the committee member Marilyn Keyes, a St. Marys parishioner, who is also a Real Presence member, inquired about the possibility of bringing the exhibit to St. Marys. Keyes explained that all three churches joined efforts as each of them is registered in the Real Presence Adoration Assoc. meaning they all offer Eucharistic adoration.

All of the panels in the exhibit were produced by a local print shop. Real Presence sent a CD containing information for each panel, which measures 25”x36.” The only expense incurred to host the exhibit were the printing costs, which were donated by several local parishioners.

“After the St. Marys exhibit the panels will be available, free of charge, to any church in the Erie Diocese. However the church must first contact Real Presence for permission to host the exhibit,” Keyes said.

She added that pamphlets explaining the exhibit as well as a Powerpoint presentation will also be on display for visitors.

The exhibition was compiled and produced by Antonia Salzano Acutis for the Pontifical Academy Cultorum Martyrum. The Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis has been entrusted in overseeing the U.S. exhibits.

The exhibition has been displayed in more than 1,000 parishes in Italy and in other countries and has been translated into numerous languages.

“The knowledge of these miracles strengthens our faith in Christ and His Church. They are visible proof of Jesus Christ’s Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist,” according to a press release.

Accounts range from well-known visions of Our Lady of Guadeloupe to lesser-known accounts such as the Eucharistic miracle in 1412 in Belgium.

The Eucharistic miracles on display have occurred in 17 countries ranging from Austria, Belgium, Martinique in the Caribbean, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, the Island of La Reunion, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

The scheduling of the exhibit is meant to coincide with the commencement of the “Year of the Priest” announced by Pope Benedict XVI which will be observed from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010.

A press release stated “the Church has always taught that the Priesthood is inseparably linked to the Eucharist. Without the Eucharist there would be no Priesthood and without the Priesthood, there would be no Eucharist.”

Additional information can be found at www.therealpresence.org.