St Anthony used a mule to prove the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. A rich merchant named Bononillo refused to believe that Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist and would mock those who thought this. St Anthony tried to convince this wealthy man but discovered he was as stubborn as a mule. So one day the Saint challenged Bononillo; “Would you believe in the truth of the Blessed Sacrament if your mule adored the Body of Christ in the Eucharist?”
Bononillo agreed; the mule was to be brought to the town square three days later where St Anthony stood holding the Eucharist in a monstrance, and near him was heaped a pile of hay for the donkey to eat. Bononillo also decided to starve the mule until the day arrived to ensure he would win.
Would the starved mule even notice the Eucharist, or would he go straight for the hay?
St Anthony himself had also fasted for three days before the meeting and the entire town was gathered to watch what would happen.
Defying all odds, the famished mule turned his head away from the hay and walked over to St Anthony and, to everyone’s astonishment, he bent his front legs and knelt in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
Bonoillo saw this miracle, and he also threw himself to his knees before the Eucharist and amended his ways.
26 июн 2024
