Eucharistic Miracle of Betania

The Story

The Eucharistic event of Betania is associated with the sanctuary of Finca Betania, near Cúa in the Venezuelan state of Miranda — the same rural site where apparitions of Our Lady, Reconciler of All Peoples, reported by Maria Esperanza Medrano de Bianchini, were declared authentic by Bishop Pio Bello Ricardo of Los Teques in 1987. According to the traditional account, on December 8, 1991, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Otty Ossa Aristizábal was celebrating a midnight Mass in the chapel at Betania. After the consecration he divided the large Host into four parts, consumed one, and placed the remaining pieces on the paten. He and numerous pilgrims present reported that a red spot appeared on one fragment and that a blood-like substance seemed to flow from it, without spreading to the rest of the Host. Bishop Bello, who had earlier conducted the lengthy investigation of the Betania apparitions, is reported to have arranged for the Host to be examined; laboratory analysis is said to have identified the substance as human blood of the rare AB group. As with all such reports, these findings are received with the Church's characteristic caution, and the event itself has not been the object of a separate formal Eucharistic decree. The fragment of the Host associated with the event is preserved at the convent of the Augustinian Recollect nuns of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Los Teques, where it is exposed for the adoration of the faithful and visited by pilgrims from Venezuela and abroad. For Catholics, Betania's reported Eucharistic sign belongs within the larger grace of the place: a call to reconciliation, conversion and deeper love for Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament — a presence the Church believes is real at every Mass, whether or not any visible sign accompanies it.

Church Recognition

Occurred at the site of the approved Betania Marian apparitions; the host event itself has not received a separate formal Eucharistic decree.

Catholic Teaching

Invites reflection on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (CCC 1373–1381), received with the patience and careful discernment the Church applies to all reported signs.

Plan Your Visit

Open only what you need. Expand all

Practical

1 Additional Information ▾

Finca Betania near Cua is a Venezuelan Marian and Eucharistic pilgrimage site.

Go Deeper

See the International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles (miracolieucaristici.org), which documents the Betania case, and CCC 1373–1381 on the Real Presence.