“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory” (Jn 1:14). Bl. Zelie (1831-1877) & Bl. Louis Martin

(1823-1894)—Beatified Oct. 19, 2008

Although both Zelie and Louis pursued vocations to the consecrated life, they were told this was not God’s will for them. They married and bore nine children, four whom died in infancy or early childhood. The remaining five became religious sisters, of whom St. Therese of Lisieux is the most reknowned. Their exemplary lives of holiness, grounded in daily Mass, frequent hours of adoration, and the daily Rosary, as well as charitable works in their Secular Franciscan life, sanctified their hearts and home. Even when Zelie suffered for several years from breast cancer, she continued to live out her Catholic faith heroically, attending daily Mass when she was too weak to open the door. Louis also manifested courageous virtue. Following the death of his wife, Louis continued to raise his daughters in holiness and gave his blessing as they entered religious life. When he fell ill and suffered several strokes, and other health ailments, he also continued to attend Mass daily for as long as possible, despite partial paralysis. Their lives of love and sacrifice, enkindled by their devotion to the Holy Eucharist and Our Lady, are models for parents and families today. “I remember that Jesus is there in the ciborium waiting for me. I remember that He is burning with desire to come to me. O Jesus! The golden ciborium that You desire above all others is my heart. O Virgin Mary! Change my heart into a pure corporal, to receive that white Host, in which our Lamb without spot hides Himself. O how I love Jesus Who comes in the Host to unite Himself to my enraptured soul! Veiled in the white Host, O my well Beloved, how meek and humble of heart You show Yourself. You know, O omnipotent God, my extreme littleness; and You do not fear to come down to my littleness. Come into my heart, O Sacrament that I love. Come into my heart; for my soul hungers for You alone. O living Bread, Bread of heaven, divine Eucharist! O touching mystery that divine love has instituted! Come to dwell in my heart. O Jesus, my divine Spouse! Grant that the robe of my Baptism may never be soiled. Take me from this life, rather than I should sully my soul be committing the slightest deliberate sin. My heart sighs for You, O Jesus, and my greatest desire is to possess You, O God of my heart and my portion for ever!” (St. Therese of Lisieux). Adoration Prayer: Jesus, my Lord and my God, I bless Thee because Thou hast come to visit me. I bow down before Thee, now really present in my heart with Thy Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. Thou art the same Jesus Who was born in Bethlehem and dwelt in Nazareth; Who suffered and died for my salvation; Who ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father. I believe in Thee, and with all the power of my soul I adore Thee, in union with the Angels and Saints. Thou art my King; reign Thou alone over my heart and my whole being. Let me never be separated from Thee by sin. I wish to serve Thee faithfully on earth that I may love and adore Thee, praise and glorify Thee forever in heaven. Amen.

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St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite Nun, Ptn. of Missionaries,(1873-1897),France—Oct. 1 “I can obtain everything when mysteriously I speak heart to heart with my Divine King. That sweet prayer so near the Sanctuary, that is Heaven for me!” (St. Therese of the Child Jesus).

Guardian Angels—Oct. 2 “Bless the Lord, all you angels of the Lord. Sing his glory and praise for ever” (Dn 3:58).

St. Theodore Guerin, France, Foundress of the Srs. of Providence (1798-1856)—Oct. 3 "If we truly knew how to appreciate it [the Holy Eucharist], it alone would fortify and sustain us." Nourished by prayer, Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana and the first Catholic women's liberal arts college in the U.S.

St. Francis of Assisi,Deacon,Franciscan Founder, Stigmatist(c. 1181-1226),Italy—Oct. 4 “I believe that You, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament. I love You and desire You. Come into my heart. I embrace You. Oh, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of Your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech You, absorb my mind that I may die through love of Your love, Who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love.”

Respect Life Sunday—Oct. 5 Heavenly Father,deepen our reverence for the gift of every human life from natural conception to natural death. Through the power of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist grant us the grace to protect and defend human life always, especially where it is most under attack.

Bl. Marie-Rose Durocher, Religious and Founder, (1811-1849), Canada—Oct. 6 Strengthened by the Eucharist, Bl. Marie-Rose ministered to priests and founded the order of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary to teach young girls, despite obstacles.

Our Lady of the Rosary—Oct. 7 “Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to the Holy Rosary...[are] the unparalleled solution to ‘fight’ Satan, renew our faith, convert sinners, save souls, and bring peace into our lives and into the world” (The Eucharist & The Rosary:The Power to Change the World, L. Kaczmarek).

Ann. Our Lady’s Apparition at Fatima & the Miracle of the Sun (1917)—Oct. 13 Our Lady appeared to the Fatima children seven times, culminating in the Miracle of the Sun on Oct. 13, 1917, witnessed by 70,000 people. This miracle is foretelling the coming glory of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament! According to Our Lady, if her requests and directives are headed, there will be great graces and mercy poured upon our world resulting in an era of peace. The Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph, and the promises will be fulfilled, when the Heart of her Son Jesus reigns throughout the world in Eucharistic Adoration!

St. Teresa of Avila, Carmelite Nun, Reformer, Mystic (1515-1582), Spain—Oct. 15 “There is no need or trial or persecution that is not easy to suffer if we begin to enjoy the delight and consolation of this sacred bread” (St. Teresa).

St. Gerard Majella, Religious, Ptn. of Expectant Mothers (1726-1755), Italy—Oct. 16 “Lord, make my faith in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar especially alive” (St. Gerard).

St. Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart (1647-1690), France—Oct. 16 “All of my affections turned towards the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, where I sought my only delight and consolation” (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque).

St. Anthony Mary Claret, Missionary Priest, Founder (1807-1870), Spain—Oct. 24 “The Blessed Sacrament should be honored by hearing Mass, receiving Communion frequently, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, and making spiritual communions. The rosary should be said daily, all three parts or at least one part. We should meditate on the mysteries, applying them to the circumstances of our own lives” (St. Anthony Mary Claret).

St. Jude Thaddeus, Apostle, Martyr, Patron of Impossible Cases (d. 67)—Oct. 28 St. Jude, please intercede for the hopeless before Jesus to find hope in His ever present love.

All Saints Day—November 1 “The Saints found no greater delight in this world than to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament” (Fr. Lukas Etlin, O.S.B.).

All Souls Day—November 2 O gentle heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on them. Be not severe in Your judgments, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames. And Merciful Savior, send Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace.

St. Martin de Porres, Patron of South America, Surgeon, Peru (1579-1639)—Nov. 3 From his earliest years, St. Martin was drawn to a life of prayer. Jesus in the Holy Eucharist was the love of his life and gave him many gifts to perform miracles, bilocate, heal, counsel and minister to the poor, sick and all those in need. St. Martin also founded an orphanage.

St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop, Patron of Catechists, Italy (1538-1584)—Nov. 4 A gifted theologian, St. Charles was made a Bishop at a young age. He organized famine and plague relief, as well as helped return discipline among clerics and secular leaders. St. Charles was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and opened his personal episcopal chapel to the public so that they could pray with him.

St. Martin of Tours, Patron of Soldiers (316-397) Italy—Nov. 11 As a soldier and catechumen, Martin was very charitable to beggars. Shortly after his departure from the military, Martin became a Priest because of his great love for Jesus in the Eucharist. Filled with great zeal for Jesus, Martin became a great educator and preacher!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Religious, Ptn. of Immigrants, Italy (1850-1917)—Nov. 13 “Her whole attitude revealed that she was completely immersed in the Divine Presence. One day, during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a sister brought her a telegram. Observing that Mother made no response, the sister put the telegram on the prie-dieu. Then, perceiving that Mother still did not move, the sister looked into her face. She saw there a seraphic expression, the eyes openly fixed upon the Sacred Heart; but Mother was not able to see nor hear anything that was going on around her” (Mother Saverio De Maria, MSC).

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Religious Missionary, (1769-1852) France, Nov. 18 While in Adoration on Holy Thursday during her first year as a nun, St. Rose had a spiritual experience which she confided in her superior, St. Madeline Sophie Barat. “I spent the entire night in the new world carrying the Blessed Sacrament to all parts of the land.” 13 years later, St. Rose’s dream of serving the American Indians as a missionary was realized. Through St. Rose’s Eucharistic devotion many missions were established, as well as schools & convents.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—November 21 Sts. Anne & Joachim presented Mary in the temple to live in adoration and service of God.

Feast of Christ the King—November 23 All praise, honor, glory, love and adoration be to Jesus Christ our Eucharistic King!

St. Catherine Laboure, Religious Mystic and Visionary, France (1806-1876)—Nov. 28 “When I go to the chapel, I put myself before the good God and say to Him, ‘Lord, here I am, give me what You wish’ . . . Then I tell Him all that comes into my mind.”

First Sunday of Advent and Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Feast day—Nov. 30 St. Andrew Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen. (It is believed that whoever recites this prayer 15 times a day from St. Andrew’s feast, Nov.30, until Christmas will obtain what is asked).

St. Francis Xavier, Jesuit Priest, Patron of Missionaries, Spain (1506-1552)—Dec. 3 “There [in the presence of the Holy Eucharist] it was that St. Francis Xavier found refreshment in the midst of his many labors in India; for he employed his days in toiling for souls, and his nights in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament” (St. Alphonsus Liguori).

St. Nicholas, Bishop, Patron of Children and Russia, Myra (4th century)—Dec. 6 St. Nicholas is remembered for his holiness, great generosity with the poor and miracles. These fruits were sown by his deep prayer life, grounded in the Holy Eucharist.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception—December 8 “For us, adorers, there is something more in this mystery of the Immaculate Conception. If God thus preserved Mary, it was because He wished to dwell in her; He willed to come to earth and take up His abode in a holy dwelling-place, pure and undefiled. The Eternal Father and the Holy Spirit sanctified Mary in order to make her a worthy tabernacle for the Divine Word: for this it was necessary to create another heaven; Mary had to be immaculate in order to receive the Word into her being. The Immaculate Conception is the remote preparation for Holy Communion.... Jesus should experience the same joy when He comes to us in Holy Communion. He should long for the moment when we cause Him to be taken from the Tabernacle; He should be able to come to us with the same delight as though it were again to Mary that He came. He will, if we are pure. He expects nothing else of us but this preparation of purity” (St. Peter Julian Eymard).

St. Juan Diego, Visionary, Mexico (1474-1548)—Dec. 9 After the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was enshrined in the Church, she requested be built for her Son, Juan added on a one room hermitage. He was the caretaker of the Church, and lived a life of holiness through prayer, frequent Communion and sharing the faith.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Conversions & Miracles,(App. 1531)Mexico—Dec. 12 Our Lady appeared as a pregnant Mother letting the people know that all human life was sacred .Over the next 10 years 9 million people were converted and human sacrifice ended!

St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr and Patroness of Eye Patients, Italy (d. 304)—Dec. 13 St. Lucy, martyred for your love of Christ, intercede for us that we may have the light of faith in Jesus, Our Eucharistic Lord. Help all those who need sight in body, mind and spirit. Amen.

Merry Christmas, O Come Let Us Adore Him, Our Eucharistic Savior!!!—Dec. 25

St. Stephen, Deacon, Martyr, Patron of Deacons and Stonemasons (d. 35)—Dec. 26 St. Stephen was the first martyr who gave his life in witness to Christ.

St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop and Martyr, England (1118-1170)—December 29 King Henry II tried to impose his authority in Church matters. When St. Thomas resisted, a council of Bishops and Laity said that he was guilty of feudal insubordination. St. Thomas had forbidden the Bishops to judge him and fled to France for safety. He hid in various monasteries. Four years later, when France devised a peace plan between Henry and Thomas, he returned to England. Inspired by the words of the King, three men murdered St. Thomas at the altar in his cathedral. St. Thomas died to preserve the faith of the Church.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—December 28 “Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our family especially in their distressing disguise. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts meek and humble like His and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way. May we love one another as God loves each one of us more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as You forgive our sins. Help us, O loving Father, to take whatever You give and to give whatever You take with a big smile. Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Holy Guardian Angels, be always with us, guide and protect us. Amen” (Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta). Advent Prayer: O Jesus, little child, come into my heart on Christmas morn, to wash away my sins and remain there in eternally. O Mary, Mother of my Savior, prepare for Jesus a cradle in my heart. Amen. O Come Let Us Adore Him in The Holy Eucharist!

Christmas Meditations “Christmas is the day on which God gave himself to humanity, and in the Eucharist this gift of his becomes, so to speak, perfect” (Pope Benedict XVI, Dec. 14, 2006).

“This is Christmas—the historical event and the mystery of love, which for more than two thousand years has spoken to men and women of every era and every place. It is the holy day on which the ‘great light’ of Christ shines forth, bearing peace! Certainly, if we are to recognize it, if we are to receive it, faith is needed and humility is needed. The humility of Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord and, bending low over the manger, was the first to adore the fruit of her womb; the humility of Joseph, the just man, who had the courage of faith and preferred to obey God rather than to protect his own reputation; the humility of the shepherds, the poor and anonymous shepherds, who received the proclamation of the heavenly messenger and hastened towards the stable, where they found the new-born child and worshipped him, full of astonishment, praising God (cf. Lk 2:15-20). The little ones, the poor in spirit: they are the key figures of Christmas, in the past and in the present; they have always been the key figures of God’s history, the indefatigable builders of his Kingdom of justice, love and peace” (Excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas Message 2007). Following is a series of excerpts from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament on the Infant Jesus and the Holy Eucharist:

“When I arrived at Midnight Mass, from the very beginning I steeped myself in deep recollection, during which time I saw the stable of Bethlehem filled with great radiance. The Blessed Virgin, all lost in the deepest of love, was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, but Saint Joseph was still asleep. Only after the Mother of God put Jesus in the manger did the light of God awaken Joseph, who also prayed. But after awhile I was left alone with the Infant Jesus who stretched out His little hands to me, and I understood that I was to take Him in my arms. Jesus pressed His head against my heart and gave me to know, by His profound gaze, how good He found it to be next to my heart” (1442). “I saw the Infant Jesus who, with hands outstretched toward us, was sitting in the chalice being used at Holy Mass. After gazing at me penetratingly, He spoke these words: ‘As you see Me in this chalice, so I dwell in your heart’” (1346). “When Mass began, a strange silence and joy filled my heart. Just then, I saw Our Lady with the Infant Jesus . . . . The most holy Mother said to me, ‘Take my Dearest Treasure,’ and she handed me the Infant Jesus. When I took the Infant Jesus in my arms, the Mother of God and Saint Joseph disappeared. I was left alone with the Infant Jesus” (608). During Mass, “I saw the Infant Jesus near my kneeler. He appeared to be about one year old, and He asked me to take Him in my arms. When I did take Him in my arms, He cuddled up close to my bosom and said, ‘It is good for Me to be close to your heart....Because I want to teach you spiritual childhood. I want you to be very little, because when you are little, I carry you close to My Heart, just as you are holding Me close to your heart right now’” (1481).

We wish everyone a Blessed Christmas Season & a very Happy and Holy New Year!!! Start Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in your parish & community today!