un cardiologo visita gesù

by Franco Serafini

Davvero qualcuno ha sottoposto Gesù di Nazaret ad un check-up clinico? Negli ultimi anni, cinque miracoli eucaristici sono stati oggetto di sofisticate indagini scientifiche. Le migliori tecnologie, proprio quelle che vediamo usare nei telefilm di medicina legale, sono state applicate, come in una scena del crimine, su ostie consacrate che apparentemente hanno sanguinato. Che cosa emerge dalle analisi cliniche, dai test di laboratorio, dalle indagini istologiche e genetiche di questi tessuti inspiegabili e misteriosi? Un medico ci guida e ci svela, evento dopo evento, un pattern che si ripete con rassicurante o sconvolgente puntualità. Per la prima volta nella storia della cristianità, i miracoli eucaristici possono parlare con il linguaggio asettico e insieme autorevole della scienza... E che cosa dicono all'uomo contemporaneo? Vedremo descrivere tessuti umani incredibilmente ancora vivi al momento del prelievo: miocardio e sangue agonizzanti per i quali si potrà formulare una precisa diagnosi. Vedremo ripresentarsi lo stesso gruppo sanguigno, fino a costituire una imbarazzante e sempre meno espugnabile fortezza statistica. Analizzeremo il bizzarro, sfuggente, ma anche razionale comportamento del DNA più ricercato del mondo.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Science, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Christian

223 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Further deepened my conviction about the real presence.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read. This book challenges the science vs religion debate, as the author argues that the forensic evidence supports religious belief. At times some of the medical evidence can be hard to follow for a person without a medical background. Overall, highly recommended.

[Susanna Testa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy I finished this book on Divine Mercy Sunday! I enjoyed learning about the miraculous ways God makes himself known to us through the Holy Eucharist and it has further increased my faith and conviction of the True Presence during Mass.

However, I believe the author included WAY too many scientific concepts and details to make his points. If the audience is aimed at a medical/scientific crowd, such as myself, the book is satisfactory as I have the requisite knowledge to understand what is said. But for someone with no background in science/genetics/medicine, I would imagine this book to be a very difficult read as it has an abundance of medical jargon to make a simple point. It is not an accessible read to the average person and I found myself skimming over a good deal of the scientific explanations throughout the chapters.

[Madison Hammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting read and the science explained about each of the Eucharistic miracles was mind-boggling, but sometimes it got just a little too full of medical jargon so i lost it a bit.

[Bill Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent scientific documentation of Eucharistic miracles, including forensic studies and histological slides. The book will not be an easy read for some due to huge amount of detailed scientific information but it is well worth the effort.

[Allison Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross-posted to StoryGraph

Dr. Serafini provides a satisfactory overview of five Eucharistic "events" which hold up to documented studies. As a practicing Catholic with interest in biology, I found the scientific aspect of this book absolutely fascinating. My knowledge of Eucharistic miracles and Passion relics was limited prior to reading this book, but now I'm curious to learn more.

The tragic downfall of Serafini's review is that he can't seem to keep his bias professional - because let's be honest, there's no such thing as an unbiased study. Our author often makes snide comments against claims, beliefs, and persons with which he disagrees. The book would have benefited greatly from the culling of such commentary.

If you're wondering about the difficulty level of this text, I can confidently say that between footnotes, a basic understanding of biology, and Kindle's brilliant Wikipedia function, it's completely workable. Without these things, however, it may be best to stop after making it through the chapter on Passion relics as the technical language only increases from there.

Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Religious bigotry

[Paul H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars). Sophia Institute Press = barely better than self-published, alas, and this book is badly written, very biased, etc., but valuable insofar as Serafini has done serious investigative work both of the science behind various Eucharistic miracles, and also follow-up interviews with the scientists themselves. Cruz's book on the topic is probably better overall, but this is a serious contribution from Serafini, despite its flaws; probably his strongest point, mentioned by Cruz in passing, is that the five most prominent Eucharistic miracles all share the same rare blood type (AB), which is very difficult for skeptics to explain. The world awaits a definitive and comprehensive scholarly book on this topic, though.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Serafini presents results and commentary on laboratory testing done on Eucharistic miracles, as well as The Shroud of Turin, The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Holy Tunic of Argenteuil. There are copious footnotes on the same page as the word(s) being commented on, which I appreciate compared to footnotes listed at the end of a chapter or book. Dr.Serafini explains medical vocabulary in layman’s terms that are crucial for understanding to laymen, like myself. I am convinced of the authenticity of these miracles. The Lord has blessed me with these miracles and laying it on Dr. Serafini’s heart to write about them. I am praying for others to read and be blessed as well.

[diane]

Goes into depth the science used to prove the Holy Eucharist is for real. One interesting aspect with the miracle in Buenos Aires; White blood cells have been found in the samples three years after the host was put into a container with tap water. Normally, the cells disintegrate within a few minutes. In fact, a complete blood cell count is collected into a tube with EDTA and the cells break down at 12-24 hours. Pretty amazing book.

[John Teske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, Italian in origin and translated into English.

Delightful. I read the first half and then skimmed a bunch until the later chapters, which I once again read.

Discussion of the Eucharistic Miracles is great; have been to Europe a couple of times and look forward on my next trip to seeing some of these sites!

[Silvana Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with a lot of information

Great book. A lot of explanations to help those who are not on the medical field to understand about our body and more specifically about our heart. Oir Church, our Christ, our faith is beautiful. The Catholic Church is the real Church. Only in oir Church we have miracles like those. Christ is alive on the Eucharist.

[Monica Bulowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

As a Catholic, I was interested in the study of eucharistic miracles. This book was spot on with the studies, evidence, etc.
I suggest this book for those with a little medical or anatomy background since it gets involved with the anatomy of the heart.
It could be daunting for those unfamiliar with the medical terms. Otherwise, great book!

[Justin Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Eucharist at every Mass is a miracle in itself. Sometimes God reveals himself in even more extraordinary ways. The scrupulously obtained findings outlined in this book strengthen our faith in the Incarnate Lord in a time of great doubt.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters on the miracles was quite engaging. The later chapters analyzing DNA and other medical characteristics was supportive of the miracles but at times drier reading. But overall I am glad to read a Cardiologists opinion and found it faith filled.

[Vittorio Villa Violin Maker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! High quality science analysis.

[Lisa Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly written with full accounting of tests and test results on several eucharistic miracles and the Passion cloths. 💖🙏

[Allyson Espinal]

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[Yosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entirety of this book made me think about the quote:

“For those with faith, no evidence is necessary. For those without it, no evidence will suffice.”

-St. Thomas Aquinas

[Louis dM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je suis un peu déçu par ce livre qui contient pourtant ce qu il annonce mais je n'en retire pas grand choses. J'ai l'impression que le lire en un condensé de 5 pages aurait suffi.

[Cristiana Facchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro che si legge come un romanzo, ma è un saggio di una precisione e scientificità impressionante.
Analizzare i miracoli eucaristici con tanta bravura credo sia un talento raro dell'autore.
La sua grande esperienza accademica va di pari passo con una fede piena di entusiasmo.
E dalla lettura di questo piccolo libretto se ne esce migliori.
Lo consiglio vivamente a chi attraversa momenti di deserto nella vita spirituale.

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating scientific review of these miracles.