Tixtla

On October 21, 2006, Father Leopoldo Roque, pastor of San Martín de Tours Church in Tixtla, Mexico, invited Father Raymundo Reyna Esteban to lead a spiritual retreat for his parishioners. During the Mass, Fr. Reyna and a religious sister were distributing Holy Communion when the sister began to cry — one of the consecrated Hosts in her ciborium had begun to leak a reddish substance that appeared to be blood.

Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro of the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa was notified and took immediate custody of the Host. Given the similarity to the Buenos Aires events, Bishop Zavala commissioned Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez — the same scientist who had investigated the Buenos Aires bleeding Host — to conduct a formal scientific analysis.

The investigation extended from 2009 to 2012, involving multiple laboratories and analytical techniques. Results were formally presented on May 25, 2013.

• Scientific analysis by Dr. Ricardo Castañón Gómez (2009–2012). Dr. Castañón, who had previously investigated the Buenos Aires miracle, conducted a three-year multi-laboratory analysis. His experience with the Buenos Aires case meant he knew precisely what to look for and how to avoid methodological pitfalls.

• Living cardiac tissue. The reddish substance was identified as human heart muscle (myocardium) — the same tissue type found in Lanciano, Buenos Aires, and Sokółka.

• Blood type AB. Immunological testing confirmed blood type AB, matching the Lanciano relics, the Buenos Aires samples, and the Shroud of Turin.

• Intact white blood cells and active macrophages. The presence of living immune cells — which die within minutes outside a living body — in a sample years old defies known cellular biology.

• Blood originated from inside the Host. Forensic examination confirmed that the reddish substance emerged from the interior of the consecrated bread, not from its surface. This eliminates the possibility of external application or contamination.

• Fresh blood beneath coagulated layers. Analysis revealed fresh, uncoagulated blood beneath the older coagulated surface layer — suggesting sustained biological activity that cannot be explained by a single contamination event.

• Human DNA present. DNA testing confirmed human genetic material, though no complete genetic profile could be extracted.

• Diocese approved. Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro formally approved the miracle at the diocesan level. His successor, Bishop Salvador Rangel Mendoza, ordered additional testing in consultation with the Vatican.