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 encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, (On the Eucharist and Its Relationship to the Church).

Week 26  “He shows us a love which goes ‘to the end’ (Jn13:1), a love which knows no measure.”  “Join . . .in adoration before this [Eucharistic] mystery: a great mystery, a mystery of mercy” (11). Promote Divine Mercy with a Holy Hour imploring God’s mercy for all.

Week 27 “You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone” (2 Eph 20). “The Eucharist builds the Church” (26). Pray and work for unity among Christians, that all may know Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and worship Him in Adoration.  Invite a non-Catholic to Mass and/or Adoration.

Week 28  “Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest” (Mt 9:38).“The Eucharist is the centre and summit of the Church's life, it is likewise the centre and summit of priestly ministry” (31). Make a weekly parish Holy Hour for holy vocations to the priesthood.

Week 29  “Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst” (Jn 6:35).“Keep alive in the community a genuine ‘hunger’ for the Eucharist” (33). Advertise the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration in bulletins, newspapers, newsletters, signs, web, TV or radio spots and other means.

Week 30  “Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer” (Acts 1:14).“Mary can guide us towards this most holy sacrament, because she herself has a profound relationship with [the Eucharist]” (53). Give prayers, pamphlets, or pictures of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament to parishioners to pray for an increase in Adoration throughout the world! 

Week 31 “Eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor 11:28). “Participate fully in the Eucharist by receiving the body and blood of Christ” (36). Receive Communion for the Pope.

Week 32 “Through these you . . . might become sharers of the Divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4).“The Eucharist thus appears as the culmination of all the sacraments in perfecting our communion with God the Father by identification with his only-begotten Son through the working of the Holy Spirit” (34). Offer a special parish Holy Hour for a new Pentecost!

Week 33 “Once I am lifted up . . . [I] will draw all men to Myself” (Jn 12:32).“The devout participation of the faithful in the Eucharistic procession on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is a grace from the Lord which yearly brings joy to those who take part in it” (10). Organize a procession and Eucharistic Adoration for the Feast of Corpus Christi. 

Week 34 “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you” (Jn 6:53). “Mass [is] fundamental for the life of the Church” (41). Offer a Mass and Holy Hour in thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity for the gift of the Holy Eucharist. 

Week 35 “Every worthwhile gift . . . [is] from the Father” (Js 1:17).  “Our longing for the goal of unity prompts us to turn to the Eucharist, which is the supreme sacrament of the unity of the People of God” (43). Pray for Christian unity in weekly Mass and Adoration intentions.

Week 36  “That all may be one” (Jn 17:21). “The Eucharist brings about [the Church's unity] through the Lord's sacrifice and by communion in his body and blood” (44). Invite couples to sign up for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, especially those preparing for marriage.