THE YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

“Lord every nation on earth will adore you” (Ps 72:11).

“‘We have come to worship him’—suggests how you can best experience this Eucharistic year. Bring to your encounter with Jesus, hidden in the Eucharist . . . all your hopes, all your desire to love” (Pope John Paul II, Mane Nobiscum Domine).

“In the stable at Bethlehem He [Jesus] allowed himself to be worshipped under the humble outward appearances of a newborn baby, by Mary, by Joseph and by the shepherds; in the consecrated Host we adore Him sacramentally present in his body, blood, soul and godhead, and He offers himself to us as the food of eternal life. The Mass then becomes a truly loving encounter with the One who gave himself wholly for us. Do not hesitate. . . to respond to Him when He invites you ‘ to the wedding feast of the Lamb’ (cf Rev 19:9). List en to him, prepare yourselves properly and draw close to the Sacrament of the Altar, particularly in this Year of the Eucharist which I have proclaimed for the whole Church.” (Pope John Paul II, August 6, 2004).

Ideas inspired by Ecclesia de Eucharistia to help celebrate the Year of the Eucharist:

Week 13 “For this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the whole Christian life” (Art 33; cf. Lumen Gentium). Offer a parish Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration asking Jesus—the Prince and source of peace—for world peace.

Week 14 “Jesus explained to them: ‘I Myself am the bread of life. No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in Me shall ever thirst’” (Jn 6:35).“It is as the living and risen One that Christ can become in the Eucharist the ‘bread of life’ (Jn 6:35, 48), the ‘living bread’”(Jn 6:51) (Art 14). Give a series of presentations on the Living Presence of Jesus and Eucharistic Adoration to your parish, and invite them to signup for a Holy Hour of weekly Adoration during the Year of the Eucharist.

Week 15 “I Myself am the Living Bread come down from Heaven. If anyone eats this Bread he shall live forever; the Bread I give is My flesh, for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). “Before this mystery of love, human reason fully experiences its limitations. One understands how, down the centuries, this truth has stimulated theology” (Art 15). Invite a missionary to speak about Jesus Personal Presence in the Eucharist and Adoration at your parish.

Week 16 “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” (Jn 6:57). “The Eucharist is a true banquet, in which Christ offers himself as our nourishment” (Art 16). Publicize information and announcements about the Holy Eucharist and Adoration in your parish bulletin, newsletters, website, and other media.

Week 17 “God’s Bread comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world” (Jn 6:33). “The Church implores this divine Gift, the source of every other gift” (Art 17). Share about the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist with children, teens, college and adult students by using appropriate means and materials in classes and inviting them to weekly Adoration.

“It is the law of friendship that friends should live together . . . . Christ has not left us without his bodily presence in this our pilgrimage, but he joins us to himself in this sacrament in the reality of his body and blood” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, III q. 75, a. 1).

Start Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in your parish and community today!

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God & World Day of Peace—Jan. 1

“Virgin Immaculate! In this year of the Eucharist help us to celebrate and adore with renewed faith and ardent love the holy mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ” (Pope John Paul II).

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord—Jan. 2

“‘They fell down and worshipped Him’ (Mt 2:11). While the Magi acknowledged and worshipped the baby that Mary cradled in her arms as the One awaited by the nations and foretold by prophets, today we can also worship Him in the Eucharist, and acknowledge Him as our Creator, our only Lord and Savior” (Pope John Paul II, August 6, 2004).

Most Holy Name of Jesus—Jan. 3

“All the nations shall come to adore You and glorify Your name, O Lord” (Ps 86:9).

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Widow, Mother, Religious, U.S. (1774-1821)—Jan. 4

This convert said “There is a mystery, the greatest of all mysteries—not that my adored Lord is in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar—His word has said it, and what so simple as to take that word which is truth itself?—but that souls of His own creation, whom He gave His life to save, who are endowed with His choicest gifts in all things else, should remain blind, insensible, and deprived of that light without which every other blessing is unavailing!”

St. John Neumann, Redemptorist Priest, Bishop, Bohemia (1811-1860)—Jan. 5

Despite safety concerns and criticism, St. John started 40 hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the U.S.. One night, he fell asleep while working at his desk. The candle on the desk overturned and all of his papers burned, except the letter he wrote about 40 hours. God seemed to tell him: “As the flames are burning here without consuming or injuring the writing, so shall I pour out My grace in the Blessed Sacrament without prejudice to My honor. Therefore, do not fear profanation and do not hesitate any longer to carry out your designs for My glory.” St. John began and spread 40 hours, and people came to adore Jesus in droves!

Bl. Andre Bessette, Holy Cross Brother, Miracle Worker, Canada (1845-1937)—Jan. 6 Fervent devotee of the Holy Eucharist and St. Joseph, Andre said: “If you ate only one meal a week would you survive? It is the same for your soul. Nourish it with the Blessed Sacrament.”

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord—Jan. 9 “Behold the Lamb of God. Behold God Himself! Adore Him!” (St. Peter Julian Eymard).

St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor, France (1567-1622)—Jan. 24

“In receiving the Blessed Sacrament, always use words of love and hope toward our Lord, such as: 'You are my Father, O Lord! You are the spouse of my soul, the King of my love and the well-beloved of my soul! O good Jesus, you are my dear Master, my aid, my refuge!”

St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor, Patron of Catholic Schools, Italy (1226-1274)—Jan. 28

St. Thomas said: “The noblest sacrament, consequently, is that wherein His Body is really present. The Eucharist crowns all the other sacraments.”

St. John Bosco, Priest, Salesian Founder, Italy (1815-1888), Jan. 31

St. John often brought all of the students in his school to Mass and Adoration, saying: “[Go] to Communion as often as you can.” “Never omit the daily visit to the most Blessed Sacrament.”

Help bring about peace in the Year of the Eucharist by spreading Perpetual Adoration! We need your help with rising costs to continue to print and distribute this newsletter. Your donation of $12.00 covers a one year subscription, $50, $100 or more enables us to reach more people. Please be generous with your prayers and donations, Visa/MC accepted.

Send us names and intentions you would like included in our daily Holy Hours of Adoration throughout the year:

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