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The origins of this miracle go back to shortly after the conquest of Valencia. King Jaume I moved to Montpellier, and during his absence a number of incidents took place which soon degenerated into battles between Christians and Moors. During one such battle, the Moors decided to launch a surprise assault while the Christian king's army was celebrating Mass. The chaplain - father Mateo Martínez - wrapped the consecrated hosts in corporals and hid them beneath a stone. After they repelled the assault, the Christians decided to resume their Mass, but when the priest went to recover the hosts he saw they had been soaked in blood. Those present demanded to be the depositories of the Mystery, and they therefore decided to place the corporals on a mule for it to wander as it pleased, and wherever it stopped would be the place chosen by God for the holy mystery to remain.

The mule travelled for 13 days and a number of miracles took place during the trip, as in Puebla Larga, where it is said that an invalid had asked to be left along the path the procession would follow. When he was near the corporals he cried "Mercy!" and, to everyone's surprise, the cripple rose and ran off to the town, where he told others of the miracle and gave thanks to God. Finally, the mule fell dead in the town of Daroca (Saragossa, Spain). Years later, by order of the lord Joan II, a beautiful chapel was built to house the holy forms. It is a treasure of Gothic art with outstanding reliefs of Biblical scenes and polychrome figures, and the sacred hosts are therefore housed in a veritable work of art. They are currently worshiped in an artistic small chest gifted by King Peter IV the Ceremonious, which was carved by the artist Pedro Moragues.

The town of Llutxent in the Vall d'Albaida, and specifically its "holy mountain", are a destination for pilgrims and tourists alike thanks to the miracle that took place there on 24 February 1239 - the Miracle of the Holy Corporals" - and the rich historical and artistic heritage related to it. Every year, the town commemorates the episode that took place during the re-conquest of Llutxent by the troops of James I on the morning of 24 February 1239. This Miracle united three towns: Llutxent, where the miracle took place; Daroca (Saragossa), the depository of the Holy Corporals; and Carboneras de Guadazaón (Cuenca), the guardian of the Holy Goddaughter. The Eucharistic celebration held every 24 February to commemorate this historical event is a part of the religious traditions and practices of the inhabitants of the town of Llutxent. It was recovered thanks to Mr. José Aparicio, a priest who settled in the town and who devoted his energy to recovering this significant event in the history of Llutxent. Since 2008, after the Eucharistic Day, a number of volunteers set off on a pilgrimage from Llutxent to Daroca in memory of the path followed by the Holy Corporals on the back of a mule. This 340-kilometre route is followed in 12 days, following tradition and the very same route the holy corporals followed. This event is worshipped yearly by a large number of people from the towns and regions neighbouring Llutxent, with visitors flocking from other provinces of the Valencia Region (Spain).

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Start date

24/02/2023

Ending date

24/02/2023