Blood on Marian statue has same DNA as alleged mystic

By CathNews New Zealand

February 24th, 2025

Blood stains on a statue of the Virgin Mary in Italy have been shown to have the same DNA profile as an alleged mystic. Source: The Guardian.

Gisella Cardia drew hundreds of pilgrims to Trevignano Romano, near Rome, by claiming that a statue of the Virgin Mary wept tears of blood. She also said that the statue was sending messages to her.

Prosecutors ordered that lab tests be performed by a forensic geneticist.

Corriere della Sera reported that the tests, completed on February 13, attributed the blood stains to Cardia’s genetic profile. The result is expected to be handed to prosecutors on February 28.

Cardia, who has a previous conviction for bankruptcy fraud, bought the statue at Medjugorje in 2016. Since 2016, Cardia has claimed to be seeing visions of the Virgin Mary.

Last year, local Bishop Marco Salvi said he had established a commission of experts in theology, canon law and psychology to investigate claims about the statue. On March 6, 2024, the diocese published its results, decreeing a constat de non supernaturalitate, or a refutation of any supernatural origin for the claimed apparitions.

The bishop’s decree cited “gaps” and “contradictions” in Cardia’s interview with the commission, and an “excessive simplicity” in the messages she shared with her followers. It also claimed said there were “numerous theological errors” in the messages Cardia claimed to receive from God.

Cardia’s lawyer said that the blood stains warrant further investigation. There could be more than one DNA profile there, the lawyer suggested, and Cardia had touched the statue many times.

Cardia reportedly left Trevignano Romano recently, but it is unclear where she is now.

Last year, the Vatican published new norms for the discernment of alleged supernatural phenomena, such as Marian apparitions and mystical visions.

FULL STORY

Italian ‘mystic’ may face trial after DNA match with blood on Virgin Mary statue | Italy | The Guardian (By Angela Giuffrida/The Guardian)

Bishop near Rome decrees alleged Marian apparitions ‘not supernatural’ – Catholic Review (CNS)

Vatican publishes new norms to discern alleged supernatural phenomena | USCCB (CNS)