"Once you understand the Eucharist, you can never leave the Church." Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I saw this wonderful quote from Fulton Sheen last night and was struck by the truth of it.
From Our Catholic Prayers.com speaking about the events at Akita: "In this first message, Our Lady asked Sister Agnes to pray this prayer composed by John Ito, the Bishop of Niigata, Japan, for the Handmaids of the Eucharist, the name of her order. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father, pleading for the coming of His Kingdom. Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls. Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your special child. Amen. She made it a point to revise the original prayer with a crucial one word addition, the word TRULY to describe our Lord’s presence in the Holy Eucharist. We need to know this now more than ever! Tragically only about a third of U.S. Catholics believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is really and truly present in the Eucharist. It should come as no surprise that Mary should have entreated Sister Agnes, and by extension all of us to stay close to our Lord (with help from herself as well!). Contrary to much popular belief, both in and out of the church, Jesus is indeed the way, the truth and the life, as He Himself said (John 14:6). He is the true vine and we, fallen humanity, as His branches can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). And as Our Lady reminded Sister Agnes, He is indeed truly present in the Eucharist, body, blood, soul and divinity and is Not a symbol! As such He wishes for us to partake of much needed graces to do His will and be strengthened to resist sinful inclinations when we recieve Him in Holy Communion."
From a feature on the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City website about Blessed Alexandrina da Costa: "Beginning on Good Friday, March 7, 1942, she received no nourishment except the Holy Eucharist for 13 years and seven months until her death. Medical doctors remained hostile and suspicious, running various tests on Alexandrina, ultimately declaring the phenomenon as “scientifically inexplicable.” Jesus himself gave an explanation to her in prayer, telling her: “You are living by the Eucharist alone because I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of my life in souls.” Jesus reassured her about his presence in the Eucharist, “Keep me company in the Blessed Sacrament. I remain in the tabernacle night and day, waiting to give my love and grace to all who would visit me. But so few come. I am so abandoned, so lonely, so offended … Many… do not believe in my existence; they do not believe that I live in the tabernacle. They curse me. Others believe, but do not love me and do not visit me; they live as if I were not there … You have chosen to love me in the tabernacles where you can contemplate me, not with the eyes of the body, but those of the soul. I am truly present there as in heaven, body, blood, soul and divinity.” Alexandrina requested to be buried facing the tabernacle of the church, stating, “In life I always desired to be united to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to look at the tabernacle at all times that I was able; after my death I want to continue contemplating, always having my eyes constantly on our Eucharistic Lord.” Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, pray for us.
From Totus Tuus page: "In every Holy Mass, there is one sacred moment that rises above all others — the Consecration. When the priest, acting in the person of Christ, says the words: “This is My Body… This is My Blood…” —the bread and wine are no longer bread and wine. They become the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the very heart of the Mass. A miracle of love happening right before our eyes. Let us always approach this holy moment with deep reverence, silence, and awe. The King of Heaven is truly present." https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CxJkANH81/
Front cover photograph: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) Celebrating a Mass in Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome during his 75th birthday, April 19, 2002
From MaryPyleLife.com: Padre Pio's love for the Eucharist: "Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was a beloved Italian Capuchin friar renowned for his holiness, mystical experiences, and profound devotion to the Eucharist. Throughout his life, the Eucharist held a central place in Padre Pio’s spiritual journey, serving as a source of solace, strength, and communion with the divine. At the heart of Padre Pio’s devotion to the Eucharist was his unwavering belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated host. For Padre Pio, the Eucharist was not merely a symbolic representation but a tangible manifestation of Christ’s body, blood, soul, and divinity—a miraculous gift bestowed upon the faithful to nourish and sustain their souls. Padre Pio’s celebration of Mass was characterized by profound reverence, humility, and piety. He approached the altar with a deep sense of awe and gratitude, fully aware of the sacredness of the moment and the immense privilege of serving as a conduit for God’s grace. During the Mass, Padre Pio would often enter into states of ecstasy, experiencing mystical visions and encounters with the divine that transcended earthly comprehension. For Padre Pio, the celebration of Mass was not simply a ritualistic duty but a profound act of love and sacrifice, through which he offered himself entirely to God and united his sufferings with those of Christ on the cross. His deep understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist imbued his celebration of Mass with a profound sense of joy, reverence, and devotion, inspiring countless souls to draw closer to God through the sacrament. In addition to his devotion to the Eucharist in the celebration of Mass, Padre Pio also had a profound reverence for the sacrament of confession, recognizing it as a sacred encounter with the mercy and forgiveness of God. He spent countless hours in the confessional, offering spiritual guidance, counsel, and absolution to penitents seeking reconciliation and healing. Padre Pio’s love for the Eucharist extended beyond the walls of the church, permeating every aspect of his life and ministry. He encouraged the faithful to frequent the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and confession, as sources of grace and strength for their spiritual journey. His example of unwavering faith, humility, and devotion continues to inspire millions of Catholics around the world to deepen their own relationship with the Eucharist and embrace the transformative power of Christ’s presence in their lives."
