THE YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST “We Beheld His Glory” (Jn 1:14).

“Here in the sacred Host he is present before us and in our midst . . . .

It is here that the true face of God is revealed” (Pope Benedict XVI, August 20, 2005).

Approximately 700,000 pilgrims joined Pope Benedict XVI—as he knelt in Eucharistic adoration--at the World Youth Day evening vigil on August 22, 2005 in Cologne, Germany! In awesome silence youth knelt on the damp ground to adore Jesus Eucharistic, exposed in a monstrance enthroned upon the main altar. “World Youth Day...had its culminating moment in Eucharistic adoration...which made the glance and hearts of young people converge on Jesus, present in the Most Holy Sacrament....In some churches...there was continuous adoration, day and night, with the attendance of many young people, which in this way were able to discover together the beauty of contemplative prayer” (Pope Benedict, 9/4/05). “The Year of the Eucharist is now approaching its final phase . . . . This year especially dedicated to the Eucharistic mystery was called by Pope John Paul II to reawaken in Christian people, faith, wonder and love for this great sacrament which is the authentic treasure of the Church. With how much devotion he celebrated Holy Mass, the center of each one of his days! How much time he spent in adoring” (Pope Benedict XVI, September 4, 2005). As we conclude the ideas inspired by Ecclesia de Eucharistia for the Year of the Eucharist, we remember John Paul II’s words on Eucharistic Adoration in the third millennium:

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” (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” (61). Establish a parish Eucharistic book and A/Vlending 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’” (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” (62). Offer a Parish Rosary Novena for the start or renewal of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in your parish.

“I hope that . . .Perpetual Adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future. Specifically, I hope that the fruit of this . . . results in the establishment of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in all parishes and Christian communities throughout the world” (Pope John Paul II).

Guardian Angels pray for us, that we may perpetually adore Jesus in the Holy Eucharist!

START PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION IN YOUR PARISH TODAY! Copyright, M.B.S. All rights reserved.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Carmelite, Doctor (1873-1897), France—Oct. 1 “Through our little acts of charity, practiced in the dark, as it were, we obtain the conversion of the heathen, help the missionaries, and gain for them plentiful alms, thus building both spiritual and material dwellings for our Eucharistic God” (St. Therese of Lisieux, Patroness of Missionaries).

Respect Life Sunday—Oct. 2 “Precisely by contemplating the precious blood of Christ, the sign of his self-giving love (cf. Jn 13:1), the believer learns to recognize and appreciate the almost divine dignity of every human being and can exclaim with ever renewed and grateful wonder: How precious must man be in the eyes of the Creator, if he ‘gained so great a Redeemer’ (Exsultet of the Easter Vigil), and if God ‘gave his only Son’ in order that man ‘should not perish but have eternal life!’” (Jn 3:16). (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life).

St. Francis of Assisi, Deacon, Founder of Franciscans (c. 1181-1226),Italy—Oct. 4 Devoted to a life of Eucharistic Adoration and service of the poor, St. Francis wrote: “For One in such a lofty position to stoop so low is a marvel that is staggering. What sublime humility and humble sublimeness, that the Lord of the Universe, the Divine Son of God, should stoop as to hide Himself under the appearance of bread for our salvation!” “See the humility of God, brothers, and pour out your hearts before Him.”

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary—Oct. 7 “Contemplate Christ with Mary's eyes.” “With his words and even more so with his example, Pope John Paul II taught us to contemplate Christ with Mary's eyes, valuing especially the prayer of the holy rosary” (Pope Benedict XVI, May 2, 2005).

Ann. Our Lady’s Apparition at Fatima & the Miracle of the Sun (1917)-Oct. 13 “Let us listen to Mary Most Holy, in whom the mystery of the Eucharist appears, more than in anyone else, as a mystery of light. Gazing upon Mary, we come to know the transforming power present in the Eucharist” (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 62).

St. Teresa of Avila, Carmelite & Church Doctor (1515-1582), Spain—Oct. 15 St. Teresa of Avila wrote of the Eucharist: “If when He lived in this world, He healed the sick by the mere touch of His garments, what doubt is there but that He will perform miracles for us? He is so intimate with us. If we have a lively faith He will grant us what we ask of Him.”

St. Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs (1607-1646), France—Oct. 19 Strengthened by Mass and Adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist, St. Isaac Jogues and his Jesuit companions offered their lives for the true faith. Protect our Land, O Heavenly Patrons, which you have bedewed with the rich treasure of your blood. Watch over our Catholic Faith which you helped to establish in this new land. Bring all our fellow citizens to a knowledge and love of the truth. Make us zealous in spreading abroad a knowledge of Catholic teachings, so that we may continue and perfect the work which you have begun with so much labour and suffering. Pray for our homes, our schools, our missions, for vocations, for the conversion of sinners, the return of those who wandered from the Fold and the perseverance of all the Faithful. Amen.

“Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound act of adoration to supply for the desire I have to adore You unceasingly” (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque).

Healing Intentions: Please join in praying the Holy Rosary and asking Our Lady’s intercession so that everyone will turn to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, for a greater respect for all human life and for the victims of hurricane Katrina. Please send us your list of prayer intentions: Your prayers and donations help lead people to Jesus in the Eucharist and help us continue spreading Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration! (Visa / Mastercard accepted). MBS, PO Box 1701, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (518) 561-8193 www.ACFP2000.com