Deepertruth: Eucharistic Miracle of Amsterdam

The next day Ysbrand was completely restored to health. One of the maids taking care of him approached the fireplace to poke the fire and noticed a strange light centered on the Host that was intact. The woman began to scream and everyone within earshot ran to witness the miracle. Ysbrand recovered the Host and wrapped the Holy Eucharist in a linen cloth that was placed in a case and immediately carried the Blessed Sacrament to the parish priest.

 But the miracle continued: three times the priest had to return to Ysbrand’s house to recover the Host that miraculously re-appeared there. It was then decided to turn Ysbrand Dommer’s house into a chapel.

On Easter Sunday, everyone who had witnessed the miracle, and the mayor of Amstel, compiled a report of the events. The report was delivered to the Bishop of Utrech, Jan van Arkel, who authorized devotion to the miracle.

 In 1452 the chapel was destroyed by a fire, but strangely the monstrance containing the miraculous Host remained intact. In 1665 the city council authorized Father Jan Van der Mey to convert one of the houses of the former convent of the Beghine into a chapel. Here the precious monstrance was transferred, but unfortunately was shortly afterwards taken by unknown thieves. 

Even today there is perpetual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in memory of the miracle. The only objects that remain from the Eucharistic miracle are the case that contained the Sacred Host, the documents that describe the miracle, and some paintings housed in the Historical Museum of Amsterdam. Every year there is a silent procession (Stille Omgang) in honor of the miracle on the eve of Palm Sunday.