In 887, the Count Vifred, founded a monastery in the Pyrenean region of Catalonia, around which, almost immediately, a village developed called even today "Saint John of the Abbesses" ("San Juan of the Abadesas"). Here a crucifix is preserved with a Host kept intact since 1251 imbedded in the forehead of the statue of Jesus.
In 1251 some artistic work in wood were done in the church of the monastery, depicting the deposition of Jesus from the cross: with the figures of Jesus and his mother Mary, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Saint John the disciple Jesus loved, and the two thieves.
These beautiful statues, saved from the destruction of the 1936 Spanish civil war, cause great emotion in many people because of their expression. Jesus' head especially, is impressively beautiful.
When it was carved the artist made in his forehead a hole, approximately two and a half inches in diameter, with the idea of preserving the Eucharist in it. In 1251 someone put a consecrated host in there. But the memory of this was lost in time.
Only in 1426, while working to restore the statues, the hole in the forehead of the crucifix, was discovered, sealed by a small silver plaque. Inside, wrapped in a white linen cloth, the Host consecrated in 1251 was found, totally uncorrupted.
Since then, that Host, known as "The Most Holy Mystery of Saint John of the Abbesses" is adored and visited by numerous pilgrims.