Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament

This continues a series of ideas to use in your parish or area. They are based on St. John Paul II’s Ecclesia de Eucharistia and Pope Benedict XVI’s Sacramentum Caritatis.

Week 49  “To her [Mary] he gave the beloved disciple and, in him, each of us: ‘Behold, your Son!’  To each of us he also says: ‘Behold your mother!’ (cf. Jn 19: 26-27).  Experiencing the memorial of Christ’s death in the Eucharist also means continually receiving this gift” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 57). In union with Mother Mary, pray that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and in the Holy Eucharist may be known, and all may love, worship and adore Him as Lord and Savior of the world!  

 Week 50 “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:46-47). “In the Eucharist the Church is completely united to Christ and his sacrifice, and makes her own the spirit of Mary” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 58). Present adorers with a gift (e.g. a monstrance pin) at weekend Masses.

 Week 51 “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).“Here [in the Holy Eucharist] is the Church’s treasure, the heart of the world, the pledge of the fulfilment for which each man and woman, even unconsciously, yearns” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 59). Plan a parish mission on the awesome gift of the Holy Eucharist and graces and benefits of Eucharistic Adoration for all.

Week 52 “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). “Every commitment to holiness, every activity aimed at carrying out the Church’s mission, every work of pastoral planning, must draw the strength it needs from the Eucharistic mystery and in turn be directed to that mystery as its culmination” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 60). Offer a Mass, Communion and Holy Hour each week this month for the greater respect of human life from conception to natural death.

Week 53 “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you” (1 Kg 19:7). “The mystery of the Eucharist—sacrifice, presence, banquet—does not allow for reduction or exploitation; it must be experienced and lived in its integrity, both in its celebration and in the intimate converse with Jesus which takes place after receiving communion or in a prayerful moment of Eucharistic adoration” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 61). Establish a parish Eucharistic book and A/V lending library.

Week 54 “That all may be one” (Jn 17:11). “Inspired by love, the Church is anxious to hand on to future generations of Christians, without loss, her faith and teaching with regard to the mystery of the Eucharist. There can be no danger of excess in our care for this mystery, for ‘in this sacrament is recapitulated the whole mystery of our salvation’” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 61). Establish ongoing education about the True Presence of Jesus and His love in the Holy Eucharist at your parish.

Week 55 “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).“In the humble signs of bread and wine, changed into his body and blood, Christ walks beside us as our strength and our food for the journey, and he enables us to become, for everyone, witnesses of hope. If, in the presence of this mystery, reason experiences its limits, the heart, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, clearly sees the response that is demanded, and bows low in adoration and unbounded love” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 62). Offer a Parish Rosary Novena for the start or renewal of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in your parish.

Week 56 “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Lk 22:20). “What amazement must the Apostles have felt in witnessing what the Lord did and said during that Supper! What wonder must the eucharistic mystery also awaken in our own hearts!” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 1). Share our on-line quarterly newsletter on Eucharistic Adoration for others to reflect upon. Posted at the Resources section of our website, it may be printed, copied and passed out to others.

Week 57 “I have loved you with an everlasting love, so I am constant in My affection for you” (Jer 31:3) “In the sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus shows us in particular the truth about the love which is the very essence of God” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 2). Invite people from other parishes to come to Eucharistic Adoration.

Week 58 “Behold I make all things new” (Jn 20:29). “Every great reform has in some way been linked to the rediscovery of belief in the Lord's eucharistic presence among his people” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 6). Help promote the National Eucharistic Revival by visiting Eucharisticrevival.org and signing-up to receive free information.

Week 59 “Where your treasure is, there is your heart” (Mt 6:21). “In the Eucharist Jesus does not give us a ‘thing,’ but himself; he offers his own body and pours out his own blood. He thus gives us the totality of his life and reveals the ultimate origin of this love” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 7). Organize an appreciation dinner for adorers.

Week 60 “Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day” (Jn. 6:40). “The Eucharist reveals the loving plan that guides all of salvation history” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 8). Visit parish organizations and give presentations on the Real Presence of Jesus and the Holy Eucharist and Adoration. Invite others to sign-up for a weekly Holy Hour.