The Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska (United States), has determined that the movement of a relic “is not of supernatural origin” after a video of the apparent phenomenon was spread on social networks.
He video viral It showed a first-class relic of Saint Gemma Galgani that appeared to move on its own behind a display case.
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A relic of St. Gemma Galgani has reportedly moved within its sealed reliquary at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Newman Center, drawing Catholics from across the state eager to witness it.
Video: Lillian Johnson pic.twitter.com/DngPROJScQ
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) October 8, 2025
Visitors reportedly flocked to the Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to see the relic apparently in motion.
But a diocesan investigation concluded that the cause of the movement was a bent hook.
Father Caleb La Rue, chancellor of the Diocese of Lincoln, investigated whether the movement of the relic could be of supernatural origin with the help of another priest.
The priest told CNA – EWTN News’ English agency – that the Church must look at these things with a “healthy skepticism” to see if there are “natural” causes of the events.
“It’s not that these things can’t happen, of course they absolutely can,” he said. “God can work in countless ways.”
La Rue discovered that the hook was bent, causing a similar relic to move in the same way when hung on the same hook. When the relic of Saint Gemma was removed from the hook, it stopped moving on its own. La Rue said that because of the curvature of the hook, the weight of the reliquary was probably “not evenly distributed.”
But La Rue also pointed out that miracles do happen and encouraged people to look for the ordinary ways God shows his presence in our lives.
“Even if it’s not supernatural, I believe there is something that God wants us all to take away from this experience because He either willed it or allowed it to happen,” La Rue said.
What qualifies as a miracle?
Church authorities investigate alleged miracles when they receive reports of them. Seemingly miraculous phenomena often have to do with the Eucharist, Marian apparitions, and healing miracles, among others.
Michael O’Neill, a miracle expert who developed a website miracle tracker and hosts the EWTN show “Miracle Hunter,” told CNA that the Church “in modern times would not investigate a moving relic.”
“Traditionally, only a few types of miracles are investigated, specifically healing miracles, Marian apparitions, Eucharistic miracles, weeping statues or icons, and incorrupt saints,” O’Neill said. “And each one has their own research process.”
La Rue, however, noted that it is not impossible that a relic could be miraculously moving in this way.
“It is, of course, possible. There are much more miraculous things happening every day,” La Rue said. “You don’t want to quell the fervor prematurely. But at the same time, the Church is cautious for a reason, because it wants our attention to be on truly miraculous things.”
Do miracles still happen?
The Church has documented many miracles related to healing, the Eucharist, and Marian apparitions.
Healing miracles are especially important in researching possible saints. Aspiring saints need several miraculous cures attributed to their intercession before the Church canonizes them.
These healing miracles undergo careful investigation according to what is called “the Lambertini Criteria,” according to O’Neill. A miracle can only be confirmed if there is no possible scientific explanation for the cure.
The Diocese of Lincoln noted in a statement that miracles continue to occur, especially the miracle of the Eucharist, where the consecrated bread and wine become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus.
“God surrounds us with miracles every day, with the real presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament being preeminent of all,” the diocese said in a statement shared with CNA on Thursday.
La Rue noted that the Newman Center has Eucharistic adoration throughout the day, where students and staff come to pray in the presence of Jesus Christ.
“The whole time this was going on, there was Eucharistic exposition,” La Rue said.
He pointed out that the Eucharist “is the supreme sign of the permanent presence of God with his people and of his desire to be part of our lives.”
“Even if this wasn’t what some people expected it to be, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t still very active in our lives,” La Rue said. “Sometimes maybe we just don’t pay attention to the little ways He does it.”
O’Neill noted that the official rules for addressing miracles were adjusted last year, meaning the Church does not explicitly declare the events as supernatural, but instead uses the designation “nothing stands“, which means “nothing prevents it.”
This means that the miracle has “signs” from the Holy Spirit and nothing “critical or risky” has been detected.
Although nothing stands is the highest designation that a proposed miracle can receive in modern times, the Holy See, according to the norms recent events, you can also report alleged miracles if the Church considers them worrying, not of supernatural origin or even fraudulent.
La Rue encouraged those hoping for a miracle to “be aware of the ordinary ways in which God communicates his love and grace throughout the day.”
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be something spectacular, but there are many small ways that God is constantly showing us his care for us,” La Rue said.
A thriving community of faith
La Rue, who resides in the Newman Center, noted that the vibrant community is growing.
“It is a place where young people truly encounter Our Lord and encounter each other, and build strong, lasting friendships founded on a shared love of God and the desire to live a full life, a joyful life,” La Rue said.
About 70 people entered the Church through the center’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program last year.
“The number of people who came to join the Church last year and literally just showed up, no one went looking for them,” La Rue said. “We certainly have those people, but a lot of them just came on their own.”
Sunday Mass, he said, is usually packed with attendees.
“I have been able to simply see the reality of young people recognizing that the world does not have the answers, that the things of the world do not satisfy,” he said. “And they come here to find true peace, love and freedom in Our Lord.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Kate Quinones
Kate Quiñones is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and a member of College Fix. He has publications in the Wall Street Journal, the Denver Catholic Register and CatholicVote. He graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.