In the early 1200’s, Moorish allies of the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II were attacking Assisi. The city was distraught and had no chance of defending itself against its attackers. St. Clare, who was very sick at the time, asked the convent chaplain to elevate the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament high in a window while she fervently prayed for protection. Miraculously, the invaders were were struck with fear and they fled leaving Assisi unharmed.
Many traditions and legends surround the Virgin Mary’s physical Assumption into heaven. Evidence for these relevant and captivating customs and beliefs varies. We know for certain, however, based on Pope Pius XII’s Munificentissimus Deus: “The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” While the reality of this historical event wasn’t recognized dogmatically until 1950, we have 2nd century references to Mary’s Assumption.
The first recorded and verified Eucharistic miracle happened over 1,200 years ago in Lanciano, Italy at the small Church of St. Legontian. A priest who was doubting the Real Presence just finished the consecration when the consecrated host and wine changed into live Flesh and Blood. It still remains to this day and 20th century scientific studies prove it is real Flesh from a human heart and real type AB Blood that appears to be fresh.
St. Barbara was an early Christian martyr born in the 3rd century. She was extremely beautiful so her overly protective father kept her locked in a tower. She secretly converted to Christianity. She eventually professed her faith, refused to marry and would not participate in pagan idol worship. Her father had her tortured and eventually put to death by decapitation. There are legends of many miracles and healings related to St. Barbara. Feast: 4 December (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church)
Tradition holds, Mary appeared to St. James in A.D. 40 to encourage him during an especially difficult Mission to the pagans. She appeared with The Child Jesus standing on a pillar and asked St. James and several of his disciples to build a church on that spot. She promised it would stand until the end of time. The church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza still stands to this day. It even had three bombs dropped on it during the Spanish Civil War and none of them exploded.
Around 1206, the Albigenses (Cathars) challenged St. Dominic to a public debate to discuss Catholic Doctrine vs. the heretical Cathar beliefs. St. Dominic had them cast both Catholic and Cathar texts into a fire. The Cathar texts were consumed by fire but the Catholic documents were not burned…they did this three times with the same results.