Testimonies and Witness Accounts of the Miracle
No eyewitness accounts from the 8th century survive. What we have are later documents, reports of examinations and the testimonies of visitors.
The examination of 1574
The oldest surviving testimony is the report on the examination of the relics by Archbishop Rodriguez in 1574, carried out before witnesses from the clergy and the townspeople.
The manuscript of 1631 and the inscription of 1636
A manuscript of 1631 tells the story in detail. It describes the monk as learned in the sciences of the world but unsure in faith. Five years later the account was carved in stone; the tablet can be seen in the Valsecca chapel of the church.
Odoardo Linoli
The pathologist Linoli was sceptical at first. It is reported that, while the analyses were still under way, he sent the friars a telegram quoting the Gospel of John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was made flesh. He stood by his results throughout his life.
Karol Wojtyła in 1974
On 3 November 1974 the Archbishop of Kraków visited the shrine and signed the visitors' book. Four years later he became Pope John Paul II.
Pilgrims today
Many visitors speak of a deep impression, of inner peace or a strengthened faith. Such experiences are personal and cannot be verified. We deliberately do not publish invented testimonials.
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