Saint Anthony of Padua was preaching in Rimini (Italy). There the Patarine heretics had disfigured the dogma of the real presence, reducing the Eucharist to a simple commemorative supper.
Anthony, in his preaching, fully explained the reality of Jesus’ presence in the Holy Host. But the leaders of the heresy did not accept the saint’s reasons and tried to refute his arguments. Among them was Bonvillo, the chief one, who fancied himself very clever, and said to him:
— Fewer words; if you want me to believe in that mystery, you must perform the following miracle: I have a mule; I will keep it without food for three continuous days, after which we shall present ourselves together before it: I with the fodder, and you with your sacrament. If the mule, without paying attention to the fodder, kneels and adores that Bread of yours, then I too will adore it.
The saint accepted the test and withdrew to implore God’s help with prayers, fasting, and penances.
For three days the heretic deprived his mule of all fodder and then brought it out to the public square. At the same time, from the opposite side of the square, Saint Anthony entered, carrying in his hands a monstrance with the Body of Christ; all this before a crowd of people eager to know the outcome of that extraordinary challenge undertaken by the Franciscan saint.
The saint then faced the hungry animal and, speaking to it, said:
— In the name of that Lord whom I, though unworthy, hold in my hands, I command you to come at once to make reverence to your Creator, so that the malice of the heretics may be confounded and all may understand the truth of this most exalted sacrament, which we priests handle at the altar, and that all creatures are subject to their Creator.
While the saint was saying these words, the heretic was throwing barley to the mule so that it might eat; but the mule, paying no attention to the food, advanced slowly, as if it had the use of reason, and, respectfully bending its knees before the saint who held the Sacred Host raised up, remained in that posture until Saint Anthony gave it permission to rise. Bonvillo kept his promise and converted wholeheartedly to the Catholic faith; the heretics retracted their errors, and Saint Anthony, after giving the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament amid a storm of cheers and applause, carried the Host in procession and in triumph to the church, where thanks were given to God for the stupendous marvel and the conversion of so many heretics.
Source: Web Católico de Javier
