from Eucharistic Miracles by Rev. Lukas Etlin, O.S.B.

A most trustworthy authority, who heard every detail from the lips of the priest himself, has given the account of the following incident which took place near Albany, New York.

In the pioneering days of the past century a priest was hastily summoned to the bedside of a dying man who lived at a considerable distance from the church. He at once set out on horseback, carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a pyx suspended from his neck. However, after making his way for several miles along one of the worst of roads in a heavy storm of wind and rain, his horse could go no farther, and the priest was forced to stop at an inn by the roadside. Here he found a messenger who had been sent to tell him that the sick man had rallied unexpectedly, and, although still seriously ill, was no longer in imminent danger of death. Relieved by this news from the necessity of pursuing his journey that night, the priest, after having carefully placed the pyx containing the Blessed Sacrament in a drawer, retired.

He slept soundly after his fatiguing ride, and at a very early hour the next day remounted his horse and resumed his journey. He had nearly arrived at his destination, when he suddenly remembered to his dismay that he had come away without the Blessed Sacrament! When the thought first struck him he almost reeled from the saddle, overwhelmed with shame and alarm, for there were none but unbelievers in the inn. Then, turning around, he put spurs to his horse and in spite of the bad weather, rode back at full speed to the inn where he had lodged the previous night.

The instant he reached the door, he sprang from his horse, hastened into the house, and calling for the landlord, inquired anxiously whether anyone had gone into the bedroom where he had slept.

"I must ask you, sir," the man replied, "what have you done to that room? We cannot get into it by any means. Not one of us can force the door open, though the key is in the lock. And what is more, if one looks through the keyhole the whole room seems lighted up."

With an indescribable feeling of relief the priest ran up the stairs, followed by the landlord, his wife, all the servants, and a few strangers, whom curiosity had drawn there. Turning the knob of the door, he opened it without the slightest difficulty, and entering, prostrated himself in lowly self-abasement before the chest, which served as a tabernacle for the Lord of heaven and earth. Then, rising, he took the pyx from its hiding place, and holding it up in the sight of the astonished people who filled the humble chamber, now transformed into a chapel, he began to expound the doctrine of the mystery of the Holy Eucharist with unwonted eloquence. Emotion gave force to his words, and when he concluded by declaring those to be fortunate, indeed, and greatly to be envied, in whose house God had been pleased to work a wonder so striking, all present fell upon their knees and expressed their wish to be received into the Catholic Church. The priest remained there several days, during which time he instructed them, baptized them and admitted the whole household, besides some other persons, into the Church. When he had completed the journey that had been thus singularly interrupted by the merciful Providence of God, he found the sick man to whom he had been called, in a state of convalescence.