Mary leads us to the Eucharist

Pope John Paul II 
19th International Marian Congress 
Czestochowa, Poland August 15, 1996

1. "Hail, Jesus, Son of Mary, in the sacred Host you are the true God". 
Joining in spirit with those attending the 19th International Marian Congress, I recall the words from a hymn that in Poland often accompanies Eucharistic adoration and processions. I repeat them because they contain the truth that, together with praising Christ present in the mystery of the Eucharist, almost of necessity we recall the memory of the Mother of God. It is thanks to her generous fiat that the Word of God was made flesh by the work of the Holy Spirit. She offered her own body to the Word so that he might take it upon himself and the miracle of the Divine Incarnation would be accomplished. In her virginal womb Mary bore the Incarnate Word, awaiting "with love beyond all telling" the birth of the Saviour-as the liturgy states (Pref. of Advent II).

When she gave birth to the Son of God she was, in a certain sense, the first to worship his presence among men. Together with Joseph she took the Divine Child to the temple to offer him to God according to the prescriptions of the law. Even then, through the words of Simeon, God had revealed to her that the sword of sorrow would pierce her heart, when her Son became the sign of contradiction 'for the fall and rising of many!' (Lk 2:34). This was the announcement of Mary's participation in the saving work of Christ, Priest and Victim, which was to be accomplished on Golgotha. "At the foot of the Cross out of love for your Son, she extended her motherhood to all men, born again from by the death of Christ for a life that will never end.... Taken up into heavenly glory, with maternal love she accompanies the Church and protects her on the way to her homeland until the glorious day of the Lord" (Italian Missal, Pref. of the Blessed Virgin Mary III)

Every Holy Mass makes present in an unbloody manner that unique and perfect sacrifice, offered by Christ on the Cross, in which Mary participated, joined in spirit with her suffering Son, lovingly consenting to his sacrifice and offering her own sorrow to the Father (cf. Lumen Gentium, n. 58). Therefore when we celebrate the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ's passover, the memory of his Mother's suffering is also made alive and present, this Mother who, as an unsurpassable model, teaches the faithful to unite themselves more intimately to the sacrifice of her Son, the one Redeemer. Through spiritual communion with the sorrowful Mother of God, believers share in a special way in the paschal mystery and are opened to this extraordinary action of the Holy Spirit which produces a supernatural joy because of communion with the glorious Christ, on the example of the joy granted to Mary in the glory of heaven, as the first person to share in the fruits of the Redemption.

2. Mary and the Eucharist. The organizers of the 19th International Marian Congress in Jasna Gora proposed this as a theme for study and prayer. And it is a correct choice, especially in view of the International Eucharistic Congress that will be held next year in Krakow. In this way, just as Mary is present at the beginning of the mission of the Incarnate Word, and thereby at the origins of the Eucharist as well, the Marian Congress this year marks the start of the Church's spiritual preparation to make the Eucharistic Congress a fruitful experience. May these days bring you all close to her who--throughout her life in communion with her Son, not only by ties of blood but especially by love--is the most perfect Teacher of that love which enables us to be united in the deepest way with Christ in the mystery of his Eucharistic presence. Let Mary lead us to the Eucharist!

I ask all of you who are gathered in Jasna Gora for the Marian Congress to pray for the intentions of the Church and the world. As we give thanks for 20 centuries of Mary's protection of the Church, let us together ask her to lead believers towards an ever more perfect knowledge of the saving power of the Sacrifice of Christ, who is present in the Eucharist. Let us pray that the living experience of communion with Christ may bear fruits of zeal in the hearts of all Christians as they build up a communion of love among men. May the Mother of God lead us into the third millennium, united around the Word of God who was made flesh in her.

With Mary Let Us Adore Him 

St. Peter Julian Eymard

Mary devoted herself exclusively to the Eucharistic Glory of Jesus. She knew that it was the desire of the Eternal Father to make the Eucharist known, loved and served by all men; that need of Jesus' Heart was to communicate to all men His gifts of grace and glory. She knew, too, that it was the mission of the Holy Spirit to extend and perfect in the hearts of men, the reign of Jesus Christ, and that the Church had been founded only to give Jesus to the world.

All Mary's desire, then, was to make Him known in His Sacrament. Her intense love for Jesus felt the need of expanding in this way, of consecrating itself — as a kind of relief, as it were — because of her own inability to glorify Him as much as she desired.

Ever since Calvary, all men were her children. She loved them with a Mother's tenderness and longed for their supreme good as for her own; therefore, she was consumed with the desire to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament known to all, to inflame all hearts with His love, to see them enchained to His loving service.

To obtain this favor, Mary passed her time at the foot of the Most Adorable Sacrament, in prayer and penance. There she treated the world's salvation. In her boundless zeal, she embraced the needs of the faithful everywhere, for all time to come, who would inherit the Holy Eucharist and be Its adorers...

Her prayers converted countless souls, and as every conversion is the fruit of prayer, and since Mary's prayer could meet no refusal, the Apostles had in this Mother of Mercy their most powerful helper. "Blessed is he for whom Mary prays!"

Eucharistic adorers share Mary's life and mission of prayer at the foot of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is the most beautiful of all missions, and it holds no perils. It is the most holy, for in it all the virtues are practiced. It is, moreover, the most necessary to the Church, which has even more need of prayerful souls than of powerful preachers; of men of penance rather than men of eloquence. Today more than ever have we need of men who, by their self—immolation, disarm the anger of God inflamed by the ever increasing crimes of nations. We must have souls who by their importunity reopen the treasures of grace which the indifference of the multitude has closed. We must have true adorers; that is to say, men of fervor and of sacrifice. When there are many such souls around their Divine Chief, God will be glorified, Jesus will be loved, and society will once more become Christian, conquered for Jesus Christ by the apostolate of Eucharistic prayer.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament

O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion the the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may all be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Prayer Card

 History of the Title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Feast Day, May 13

St. Peter Julian Eymard, of France, had a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and Our Lady and began his priestly life in the Society of Mary. "But his heart burned with the desire to establish perpetual adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament exposed upon a royal throne and surrounded by a large court of adorers. On February 2, 1851, at the shrine of Fourvière, the most Blessed Virgin had made him understand its necessity. 'All the mysteries of my Son have a religious order of men to honor them. The Eucharist alone has none . . . .' After several years of prudent reflection and interior combat, encouraged by Pope Pius IX, he founded the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament at Paris on May 13, 1856" (St. Peter Julian Eymard: Apostle of the Eucharist Novena, p. 20).

The title of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was first given to Mary by St. Peter Julian Eymard in May 1868, while speaking to his novices. A few years later he described what her statue should look like: "The Blessed Virgin holds the Infant in her arms; and He holds a chalice in one hand and a Host in the other." He exhorted them to invoke Mary: "Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"

Later, Pius IX enriched the invocation with indulgences. Twice, St. Pius X did the same. On December 30, 1905, he granted a 300 days indulgence to the faithful who pray: "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us."

"This title, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, is perhaps the most meaningful of all," said St. Pius X.

In 1921 the Sacred Congregation of Rite authorized the Blessed Sacrament Congregations to celebrate each year, on the 13th of May, a "solemn commemoration of the Blessed Virgin," with the intention of honoring Mary under the title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament." And of course this Feast is still celebrated today with great joy by all the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Peter Julian Eymard.

Pope Bl. John XXIII codified the title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament when he declared St. Peter Julian Eymard a saint on December 9, 1962, at the end of the last session of the Second Vatican Council.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

On May 13 we celebrate the most recent feast and title given to Our Blessed Mother, that of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament." Some believe this title to be prophetic, particularly for our times, and perhaps the greatest honor the church could bestow upon her. Let us ponder some of the reasons why this may be true.

St. Peter Julian Eymard, known as "The Priest of the Eucharist" and "The Apostle of the Eucharist" founded the "Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament" at Paris on May 13, 1856. Previous to this he served as a priest for sixteen years in the Society of Mary. He developed a very special love for the Eucharist at a very young age, which was inspired by his Mother's Eucharistic devotion. He also had a tremendous love for Our Lady. During the years of his daily prayer and adoration of our Eucharistic Lord, St. Peter Julian was given the awareness from Our Lady "All the mysteries of my Son have a religious order of men to honor them. The Eucharist alone has none..." With the encouragement of Pius XI, St. Peter Julian Eymard founded the new congregation to first, and foremost, perpetually adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament and to spread Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration throughout the world; second, to honor Mary, The Mother of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

"Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" was the title that St. Peter Julian Eymard gave Our Lady as Mother and model to his new Congregation, his new Eucharistic family. As he stated so often, the Blessed Mother was the first and most perfect adorer of Jesus, the Incarnate Word. Our Lady adored Jesus from the very first moment of conception in her womb. She continued her adoration throughout his earthly life. After Jesus ascended into heaven, according to our early church fathers and theologians, Our Blessed Lady continued to adore and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. St. John the beloved Apostle would have provided the Eucharist for Our Lady, as he cared for her and ministered to her wants. The early church historians write that Our Lady spent most of her days and nights in Adoration of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. In the times of the early church the Eucharist was generally reserved in the homes of Christians. Our Lady's daily communion and adoration united her to Jesus even more closely than during His thirty years with her at Nazareth.

St. John Damascus points out, in his 6th century writings, "the body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is the very same body born of the Virgin Mary." When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist we receive the Son of Mary. Where we find the Son we find the Mother, in adoration.

Let us consider another May 13 occurrence of great importance. In 1916, preceding the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, an Angel appeared three times. The first apparition of the Angel to three children, Jacinta, Lucia, and Francisco, frightened them. The Angel said,

"Fear not, I am the Angel of Peace, pray with me: My God, I believe, 
I adore, I trust and I love Thee. I beg pardon for those who do not 
believe, do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee."

During the Angel's second apparition the message to the children, in part, was "Pray, pray a great deal! The Heart of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy for you." At the third apparition the Angel, while holding in his hands a chalice surmounted by a Host from which drops of Blood were falling into the chalice then leaving the chalice and Host suspended in the air, prostrated himself on the ground and repeated this prayer three times:

"My God, I believe, I adore, I trust and I love Thee. I beg 
pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not 
trust and do not love Thee. O Most Holy Trinity, Father, 
Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee 
the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus 
Christ, present in all the Tabernacles of the world, in 
reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by 
which He is offended, and by the infinite merits of the Sacred 
Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the 
conversion of poor sinners."

After the harbinger's three apparitions and messages, Our Lady appeared on May 13, 1917. She asked the children to pray the following prayer with her,"O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, My God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament!" There were six apparitions of Our Lady over the next six months, culminating in the Miracle of the Sun on October 13, 1917, witnessed by seventy thousand people. This miracle, is foretelling the coming glory of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament! Then finally, in 1929, Sister Lucia was given the famous great vision of the Most Holy Trinity. God, our Father and the Holy Spirit were present with Jesus, Who was hanging on the Cross.

A Chalice with a Host above it was suspended alongside of Jesus. Blood was flowing from the head of Jesus and His wounded side over the Host and into the Chalice. From the left hand of Jesus water flowed down on the Altar forming the words "Graces and Mercy". Our Lady was beneath the right hand of Jesus, holding her Immaculate Heart in her left hand and the Rosary in her right hand.

Clearly, heaven is communicating important messages to us! The most significant messages and directives of Fatima, according to many Marian scholars, can be summarized into two primary ones:

1. We are urged to frequently receive and adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, Who is truly present to us on earth today Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament!
2. Jesus wants devotion established to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The primary devotion requested is the Rosary. Secondly, the Five First Saturdays of the month with confession, reception of Jesus in Holy Communion and recitation of the rosary while in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

According to the Fatima messages, if these requests and directives are headed, there will be great graces and mercy poured upon our world resulting in a new era of peace. The Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph, and these promises will be fulfilled, when the Eucharistic Heart of her Son Jesus reigns throughout the world in Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament!

"Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" is the channel by which Jesus comes to us! She is also the channel by which we go to Jesus, heaven has ordained it thus. Our heavenly Mother is our most powerful intercessor with her Son Jesus, our most persuasive advocate. When we pray the Holy Rosary we ask her to pray for us, and pray she does. Many Mariologists have noted that devotions to Mary lead us to Jesus in the Eucharist. Wherever there are shrines dedicated to Mary her Son reigns in the Holy Eucharist where he is received, worshiped and adored. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, wrote in his Marian encyclical of 1988, "The piety of the Christian people has always rightly sensed a profound link between devotion to the Blessed Virgin and worship of the Eucharist." He later stated in a public address in Rome in June of 1994, while talking about the Eucharist, "I would also like to repeat my invitation to you to make Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament a habitual practice in all Christian communities."

Our Eucharistic Lord is the center of all other devotion within our church and the primary source of grace and mercy. Only heaven knows for sure if the Mary 13, 1856 founding of the "Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament" by St. Peter Julian Eymard and their entrustment to Our Lady under the title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" was a prophetic foreshadowing of her May 13, 1917 Fatima apparition. What is of importance is that we receive and adore Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us pray that the role and title of "Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" be properly understood by her children so that we can honor her in the way she most desires, by giving adoration and glory to her Son in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

Copyright 1995, Linda Bracy. All rights reserved.

First Day

THE TITLE OF OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and our tender Mother, we invoke thee under the title of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, because thou art the Mother of the Savior who lives in the Eucharist, and because it was from thee that He took the Flesh and the Blood with which He there feeds us! We invoke thee under that title because, again, thou art the sovereign dispensatrix of all graces and, consequently, of those contained in the august Eucharist, also, because thou didst first fulfill the duties of the Eucharistic life, teaching us by thy example how to assist properly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how to communicate worthily, and how to visit frequently and piously the Most Blessed Sacrament.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Second Day

MARY AND THE HOLY MASS

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, after having been present at the death of thy Divine Son on Calvary, where thou didst unite thy immense sorrow to the Redeemers sacrifice, thou didst frequently assist at the real, though mysterious, renewal of the adorable Sacrifice in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Teach us by thy example to esteem as it deserves the divine action performed at the altar, and obtain for us the grace to be able often, and even daily, to assist piously at the Holy Sacrifice.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus! 

Third Day

MARY AND HOLY COMMUNION

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, thy Communions were the most fervent, the most holy that were ever made! When thou didst possess thy Divine Son in thy breast, thou didst love Him with a love exceeding that of any other creature soever for his God. Teach us to make Holy Communion the center of our life, and may that life be spent in preparing us for so great an action and in thanking God for so inappreciable a benefit!

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Fourth Day

MARY AND THE REAL PRESENCE

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, who, after the ascension of thy Divine Son, didst console thy exile on earth by the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament, and didst spend before the tabernacle the greater part of thy days and even thy nights, make us comprehend the treasure we possess on the altar. Inspire us to visit often the God of Love in the Sacrament in which He abides to receive the homage that He deserves by so many titles, and to guide, protect, and console us in this exile!

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus! 

Fifth Day

MARY, THE MODEL OF ADORERS

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, thou art our perfect Model in the service of the Divine Eucharist. With the most lively faith and the most profound respect thou didst adore Jesus hidden under the sacramental veils. After thy example, we desire to render to the Sacred Host all the honor due the Divinity and the glorified Humanity of the Son of God made Man. We wish to maintain at all times in the holy place the modesty and recollection becoming true adorers.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Sixth Day

MARY, THE MODEL OF THANKSGIVING

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, who didst return to Jesus so perfect thanksgiving for the institution of the Divine Eucharist and the ineffable Gift in which the Savior exhausted His power and the treasures of His Heart, teach us to thank thy Divine Son for this great benefit, and especially to make our thanksgiving well when we have had the happiness of receiving Him in Holy Communion.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Seventh Day

MARY, THE MODEL OF REPARATION

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, thou didst adore thy Divine Son in His state of perpetual Victim, always immolated on our altars, incessantly demanding, by His death, grace and mercy for sinners. We unite with thy dolors and thy perfect reparation. We desire to accept our daily trials for love of Him, and with thee to console Jesus for the ingratitude of men and the outrages He daily receives in the Blessed Sacrament.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Eighth Day

MARY, THE MODEL OF PRAYER

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, while the Apostles went to preach the Gospel, thou didst remain close to the tabernacle, supplicating for them the goodness of the Savior, and thy prayer obtained for them the grace to convert the world! Teach us to pray, above all, to pray near the tabernacle, where Jesus wills to abide continually in order to hear our petitions. Teach us to pray for the extension of the Eucharistic Kingdom, for the salvation of the whole world, for the exaltation of the Holy Church, and most especially for the sanctification of the clergy and the conversion of sinners.

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

Ninth Day

MARY, THE DISPENSATRIX OF EUCHARISTIC GRACES

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

O Virgin Immaculate, Mother most loving, and admirable Model of adorers of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, thou art also the dispensatrix of the graces necessary to fulfill that great duty! Grant us, then, we beseech thee, as a fruit of this novena, the virtues that will render our adoration less unworthy of thy Divine Son. Teach us to honor so well this Mystery of mysteries that we may receive here below the graces It contains, in order to enjoy in heaven the eternal life of which It is the pledge!

V. Pray for us, O Virgin Immaculate, our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

R. That the Eucharistic Kingdom of Jesus Christ may come among us!

Let us Pray 
Lord Jesus Christ, our King and our God, who having become Man to make us sharers in Thy Divinity, art truly our Bread in the adorable Eucharist, grant, we beseech Thee, that in venerating so great a Mystery, we may be mindful of the most sweet Virgin Mary, of whom Thou didst will to be conceived by the operation of the Holy Ghost! Grant, also, that we may imitate the worship that she rendered while on earth to this most august Sacrament, so that we may behold Thy Eucharistic Kingdom spread and flourish throughout the whole world! O Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever! Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament 
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, the glory of Christians, the joy of the universal Church, and the hope of the world, pray for us. Kindle in all the faithful a lively devotion to the most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to receive Holy Communion every day.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

Let us with Mary Immaculate adore, thank, supplicate, and console the most sacred and beloved Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

(A similar pamphlet of novena prayers titled "Treasury of Prayer: Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament" is available through us. The text may be viewed at the Pamphlet section of our website and the pamphlets may be ordered through the Catalog section).

Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary

St. Louis de Montfort's Act of Total Consecration

Consecration to Jesus Christ, 
the Incarnate Wisdom, 
through the Blessed Virgin Mary

O Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O sweetest and most adorable Jesus! True God and true man, only Son of the Eternal Father, and of Mary, always Virgin! I adore Thee profoundly in the bosom and splendors of Thy Father during eternity; and I adore Thee also in the virginal bosom of Mary, Thy most worthy Mother, in the time of Thine incarnation.

I give Thee thanks for that Thou hast annihilated Thyself, taking the form of a slave in order to rescue me from the cruel slavery of the devil. I praise and glorify Thee for that Thou has been pleased to submit Thyself to Mary, Thy holy Mother, in all things, in order to make me Thy faithful slave through her. But, alas! Ungrateful and faithless as I have been, I have not kept the promises which I made so solemnly to Thee in my Baptism; I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not deserve to be called Thy child, nor yet Thy slave; and as there is nothing in me which does not merit Thine anger and Thy repulse, I dare not come by myself before Thy most holy and august Majesty. It is on this account that I have recourse to the intercession of Thy most holy Mother, whom Thou has given me for a mediatrix with Thee. It is through her that I hope to obtain of Thee contrition, the pardon of my sins, and the acquisition and preservation of wisdom.

Hail, then, O Immaculate Mary, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the Eternal Wisdom willed to be hidden and to be adored by angels and by men! Hail, O Queen of Heaven and earth, to whose empire everything is subject which is under God. Hail, O sure refuge of sinners, whose mercy fails no one. Hear the desires which I have of the Divine Wisdom; and for that end receive the vows and offerings which in my lowliness I present to thee.

I (Name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.

In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present, and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to they good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.

Receive, O benignant Virgin, this little offering of my slavery, in honor of, and in union with, that subjection which the Eternal Wisdom deigned to have to thy maternity, in homage to the power which both of you have over this poor sinner, and in thanksgiving for the privileges with which the Holy Trinity has favored thee. I declare that I wish henceforth, as thy true slave, to seek thy honor and to obey thee in all things.

O admirable Mother, present me to thy dear Son as His eternal slave, so that as He has redeemed me by thee, by thee He may receive me! O Mother of mercy, grant me the grace to obtain the true Wisdom of God; and for that end receive me among those who thou lovest and teachest, whom thou leadest, nourishest and protectest as thy children and thy slaves.

O faithful Virgin, make me in all things so perfect a disciple, imitator and slave of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by thine intercession and by thine example, to the fullness of His age on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin

Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. 
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us. 
Holy Mother of God, pray for us. 
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. 
Mother of Christ, pray for us. 
Mother of divine grace, pray for us. 
Mother most pure, pray for us. 
Mother most chaste, pray for us. 
Mother inviolate, pray for us. 
Mother undefiled, pray for us. 
Mother most amiable, pray for us. 
Mother most admirable, pray for us. 
Mother of good counsel, pray for us. 
Mother of our Creator, pray for us. 
Mother of our Redeemer, pray for us. 
Virgin most prudent, pray for us. 
Virgin most venerable, pray for us. 
Virgin most renowned, pray for us. 
Virgin most powerful, pray for us. 
Virgin most merciful, pray for us. 
Virgin most faithful, pray for us. 
Mirror of justice, pray for us. 
Seat of Wisdom, pray for us. 
Cause of our joy, pray for us. 
Spiritual vessel, pray for us. 
Vessel honor, pray for us. 
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us. 
Mystical rose, pray for us. 
Tower of David, pray for us. 
House of gold, pray for us. 
Ark of the covenant, pray for us. 
Gate of heaven, pray for us. 
Morning star, pray for us. 
Health of the sick, pray for us. 
Refuge of sinners, pray for us. 
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us. 
Help of Christians, pray for us. 
Queen of Angels, pray for us. 
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us. 
Queen of Prophets, pray for us. 
Queen of Apostles, pray for us. 
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us. 
Queen of Confessors, pray for us. 
Queen of Virgins, pray for us. 
Queen of all saints, pray for us. 
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. 
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. 
Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

"May God, who in His most merciful providence gave us this Mediatrix and decreed that all good should come to us by the hands of Mary, kindly receive our common prayers and fulfill our common hopes." (Pope Leo XIII)

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament help us spread the glory of Your Son through perpetual exposition of the Holy Eucharist.

The Rosary

Act of Consecration to
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

O Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel, I come today to consecrate myself to you, for my whole life is but a small return for the many graces and blessings that have come from God to me through your hands. Since you look with special kindness on those who wear your Scapular, I implore you to strengthen my weakness with your power, to enlighten the darkness of my mind with your wisdom, and to increase in me Faith, Hope and Charity that I may repay each day my debt of humble homage to you.

May your Scapular bring me your special protection in my daily struggle to be faithful to your Divine Son and to you. May it separate me from all that is sinful in life and remind me constantly of my duty to imitate your virtues. From now on, I shall strive to live in God's Presence, and offer all to Jesus through you. Dearest Mother, support me by your never-failing love and lead me to paradise through the merits of Christ and your own intercession. Amen.

Hail, Flower of Carmel, Hail, Fruitful Vine, Hail ever Immaculate Queen, in whom all virtues shine! O Mother mild, implore your Son to hear our prayers now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

We have the great gift that Our Lady of Mount Carmel gave us, the Scapular. She made the following promise to St. Simon Stock on her feast day, July 16 in 1251, "Whosoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire." Our dear Mother makes this promise to everyone, not just Catholics. Many miraculous conversions have taken place when a non Catholic, or fallen away Catholic, wears the scapular!

In addition Our Blessed Mother promises to help us avoid temptation and sin, if we wear the scapular. She makes even more and greater promises. Mary promises to release from purgatory soon after death all of those who:

1. Wear the brown scapular. 
   2. Observe chastity according to their state in life. 
   3. Pray the rosary daily, at least 5 decades.

Wear the scapular and give one to your family members and loved ones to wear. Wear it with love and with confidence in Our Heavenly Mother.

Our Lady: Whosoever shall die wearing the Scapular shall not suffer the flames of Hell.

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Blessed, Immaculate Virgin, by your 
appearance in the Grotto of Lourdes, 
many have been cured 
of their infirmities, 
both spiritual and physical.

Mother of Mercy, Healer of the Sick, 
Comforter of the Afflicted, 
you know my needs 
and my sufferings. 
Look upon me with mercy. 
I come, therefore, with confidence 
in your maternal intercession. 
Obtain for me, 
from your Divine Son, 
O loving Mother, this special 
request... (mention need, here)

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for me. Amen.

 Lourdes: Eucharistic Fountain

On Thursday, February 11, 1858, Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes, France, beheld the first of eighteen apparitions from Our Lady. Bernadette described Our Lady's appearance, "She was wearing a white tunic cinched at the waist by a blue ribbon which fell down along her side. Her head was covered by a white veil. Her feet were bare and each had a shining yellow rose on it. A white beaded rosary with a gold chain hung from her right arm."

Some highlights of these heavenly visits of Our Lady are as follows:

1. At the first apparition Our Lady encouraged Bernadette to pray the rosary!
2. Our Lady urged Bernadette, and the world, to "Repent! Pray to God for the conversion of sinners!"
3. Water came forth from the grotto and Our Lady told Bernadette to "...wash at the fountain!"
4. Bernadette was instructed to ask the clergy to build a chapel at the spot, where people could visit her Son in the most Blessed Sacrament!
5. On March 25 Our Lady revealed, "I am the Immaculate Conception!"

Countless pilgrims have visited Lourdes since 1858. Numerous people seek and receive miraculous physical healings. Some are healed in the waters of the fountain but most the miraculous healings occur when Jesus is exposed in The Sacred Host within a monstrance and carried among the sick by a priest!

Our Lady has given us the solution: ask her intercession by praying the rosary and visit her Son in the Most Blessed Sacrament for the conversion of sinners, for healing and salvation!

Copyright 1996, Linda Bracy. All rights reserved.

"Come to the foot of the altar... 
Here graces will be showered on all"

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine Laboure

"Come to the chapel. The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you," spoke the little angel who appeared as a boy of five years old, with blue eyes and gold hair, as he awakened St. Catherine Laboure on the night of her first vision. A Sister at the rue du Bac convent of the Daughters of Charity, which St. Vincent de Paul founded in France, Catherine was nothing short of stunned to find the seraphic little figure waiting at her bedside at 11:30p.m. on July 18, 1830. One can imagine her amazement and joy as the angel said, "Don't be afraid...Come along. I'll wait for you." For Our Lady had come, as she has throughout history to our own time, to lead her children to the Throne of her Eucharistic Son.

Although all of the Sisters were fast asleep, as St. Catherine followed the angel to the chapel she noticed that all of the lights were on in the hallway and Church. The altar candles were even ablaze, the Saint said, "just as though there were going to be a Midnight Mass!" At the lead of the angel she knelt by the altar rail on the right of the sanctuary. Our Lady came from the right of the altar and sat in the arm chair where the priest often sat when giving spiritual counsel to the Sisters. The little angel said, "It is the Blessed Virgin! Go to her! Can't you see that she's waiting for you?" St. Catherine Laboure hurried to the sanctuary and knelt by the arm chair with her hands on the Blessed Mother's knees. There Our Lady spoke to her and told her that God was to give her a special mission. She prophesied many sufferings that France and the world would undergo, and how she herself would experience many trials. Yet Our Mother also said, "Do not be afraid. Tell them not to be afraid. The protection of God shall be ever present in a special way. I shall be with you myself. Always, I have my eye upon you. I will grant you many graces."

Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine again on November 27 as she and her Sisters prayed at the chapel. She stood, once again, in the sanctuary - this time near St. Joseph - on a shining globe. In her hands Mary held a small golden ball with a Cross on the top and rings on her fingers, representing graces. The Virgin explained: "The globe which you see represents the world, especially France, and everyone in it. The rays are the symbol of the graces I shed on those who ask me for them. The stones which shed forth no light represent the graces for which people forget to ask me."

Then, Our Blessed Mother showed St. Catherine a vision of the Miraculous Medal which read, "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." The Heavenly Queen spoke again saying, "Have a medal made after this model. All who wear it after it has been blessed will receive any graces, especially if they wear it around the neck. Grace will abound for those who wear it with confidence." On the front of the Medal is an image of Our Lady with graces pouring forth from her hands. She is standing with her heal crushing the head of the serpent. The ejaculation prayer surrounds her in an oval fashion. On the back is the letter M (for Mary) beneath the Cross and linked to the bar. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, crowned with thorns, and the heart of Mary, pierced with a sword are side by side. This image is encircled by twelve stars.

Numerous miracles are attributed to the wearing of the medal. In St. Catherine Laboure's own time those who wore it were saved from the cholera plague. Moreover, spiritual miracles took place. In 1842 Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal appeared to Alphonse Ratisbonne, a young Jewish man, who at 24 years old had spend most of his life mocking the Church. He was converted instantly and wanted to be a priest. The prophecy of Simeon, that the sword would pierce Our Lady's heart "that the thoughts of many hearts would be laid bare" certainly has manifest itself as many hearts are pierced by the Divine Love of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, as His Graces flood like Rays through His Mother's Heart.

Yet these brilliant rays continue to shine today. Year after year countless miracles are reported. Miracles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Miracles of Love. These resplendent graces are given, Our Mother said, to all who ask for them - especially those who pray with confidence. For as Jesus said to St. Margaret Mary in His appearance to her in the Holy Eucharist, His Sacred Heart exposed: "If you believe, if you really believe, you will see miracles of My Love!" In the words of Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure, "My child, you, too, will know sadness. But in time of trial come here before the altar and pour out all your troubles. Then you will receive every consolation."

In his book Jesus Our Eucharistic Love, Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M. Conv., S.T.D. writes that Our Lady is "inseparably united with Jesus in the Host. Jesus is always the Son she adores. He is Flesh of her flesh and Blood of her blood." It is through Mary, whom the Saints call the "Mediatrix of all Graces" that the Source of Grace is made known in our world. For she always come to lead us to His Real Presence, to the sanctuary where He dwells. When we come to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, we come to the Throne of Grace. Alone we may be afraid to approach the Mystery of God, so we come with Our Mother, our confidence, "Let us go with confidence to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace," (Heb. 4:16) For, "When we go before Jesus on the altar, we always find Him "with Mary His Mother," as the Magi did at Bethlehem (Mt. 2:11). And Jesus in the sacred Host, from the altar of our hearts, can repeat to each one of us what He said to St. John the Evangelist from the altar of Calvary, "Behold thy Mother" (John 19:27), writes Fr. Manelli. As "it is quite natural that the great as well as the lesser Marian shrines always foster devotion to the Holy Eucharist, so much so that they can be called Eucharistic shrines...where crowds approach the altar in almost endless lines to receive Mary's blessed Fruit."

Interestingly enough, prior to her visions of the Miraculous Medal, St. Catherine Laboure received daily manifestations of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of His Love. Traditionally, following the recitation of the Miraculous Medal novena, there was always Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament as noted even in the novena booklets of today. For True Devotion to Our Mother is devotion to her Son in the Holy Eucharist. Let us remember the words of the little angel, "It is the Blessed Virgin! Go to her! Can't you see that she's waiting for you?" and "Come to the Chapel" for it is hear that Mary call us, leads us to the Eucharistic Heart of her Son. As Our Mother has said, "Come to the foot of the altar. Here graces will be showered on all, great and little, who ask for them. Graces will be especially showered upon those who ask for them."

Copyright 1999, Mary Beth Bracy. All rights reserved.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Patroness of the Americas, Protectress of the Unborn

"Human life is precious because it is the gift of a God whose love is infinite; and when God gives life, it is forever."                   

(Pope John Paul II)

Following are excerpts from Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II's addresses given during his visit in the Americas to prepare us for the dawning of the New Millennium:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Gospel of God's love, which we are celebrating today, finds its highest expression in the Eucharist. In the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ."

"I announced the theme of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod in these words: Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: The Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America. Put this way, the theme makes clear the centrality of the person of the Risen Christ, present in the life of the Church and calling people to conversion, communion and solidarity. The starting-point of such a program of evangelization is in fact the encounter with the Lord. Given by Christ in the Paschal Mystery, the Holy Spirit guides us towards those pastoral goals which the Church in America must attain in the third Christian millennium."

Our Holy Father describes this "Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ" as: "Contact with the Risen Lord, truly, really and substantially present in the Eucharist."

"Therefore, the Church must proclaim the Gospel of life and speak out with prophetic force against the culture of death. May the Continent of Hope also be the Continent of Life! This is our cry: life with dignity for all! For all who have been conceived in the mother's womb... Dear brothers and sisters, the time has come to banish once and for all from the Continent every attack against life... As a matter of urgency, we must stir up a new springtime of holiness on the Continent so that action and contemplation will go hand and hand."

"Oh, Sweet Lady of Tepeyac, Mother of Guadalupe! We present to you this countless multitude of faithful who pray to God in America. You who have come into their hearts visit and comfort all homes, parishes and dioceses of all the continent. Make it so that all Christian families educate in an exemplary way the faith of the Church and the love of the Gospel... that the new century and the new millennium will favor a general renewal of the gaze of Christ, our hope and our life!"

"The human person is central, the clearest reflection of God among us." (A Century of Social Teaching, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1990)

GOD LOVES SMALL THINGS

Excerpts from the writings of Father Frank A. Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life

The Eucharist teaches us that the importance of something cannot be judged by its size or appearance. Christ, the Son of God, takes on the appearance of a small piece of bread and cup of wine. Our Faith leads us beyond appearances. We know that after the consecration there is no more bread or wine on the altar. Now it is Christ who is present, in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity...

If we can see Christ in the Host, then we can also begin to see Him in the poor, the weak, the terminally ill, and the repulsive and ugly person. We can also see Him in the baby in the womb. This child is hidden behind the "veil" of the womb, much as Christ is hidden behind the "veil" of the Eucharist.

Yet Faith takes us beyond appearances, and we can say of the preborn child, "There is a person like me! There is my brother, my sister, for whom Christ died!" Even when this child is a single cell resulting from fertilization, we are not deceived by appearances. He or she is one of us, equal in dignity.

The Eucharist is the victory of life. Christ gave us His Body and Blood as a memorial of His Passion and death. In other words, Christ says to us in the Eucharist, "Never forget that I died for you and rose again. Death is conquered and life is victorious. Come to Me and share in this life!"

"God is the author of life and of its laws; He is the protector of the rights and dignity of the human person; therefore, God is our salvation and our redemption." (Pope Bl. John XXIII)

In every Holy Communion, Jesus The Word becomes Flesh in our life, a special, delicate, beautiful gift of God... The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things--to love and to be loved.

Where will you get the joy of loving?--in the Eucharist, Holy Communion. Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that adoration.

Many years ago an angel came to bring the good news to Mary. The Prince of Peace was anxious to come to earth and an angel was used to bring the good news that the Creator would become a little child...

In heaven everything was beautiful--yet, what attracted Jesus to the earth? The Son of God wanted to feel what it meant to be a human being; to be locked up for nine months, so dependent on a mother. That is why we say, 'He, being rich, became poor' - so helpless!

When we recite the Creed we say 'God from God, Light from Light.' And there was a little body, so small. We find it so difficult to become small, and Jesus says to us: 'Unless you become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of God.' And Mary knew and replied, 'Yes, behold the handmaid of the Lord.'"

"The Power of One Hail Mary can change the world. In all our efforts and endeavors, we can never underestimate the power of prayer, and must always rely on the help of God. In a special way we commend our efforts to the Mother of God and our own Blessed Mother. 
"The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all our efforts to promote the sanctity of human life, prayer is our first and strongest resource. May we rely upon the power of our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the intercession of His Blessed Mother to guide and help us in fostering a greater respect for human life" (Most Reverend Thomas Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn).

Prayer for Life

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer, offered with deep-felt confidence to beg this favor...

O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to thee under the glorious Aztec title of "Guadalupe"--the Virgin who crushed the serpent.

Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced by seven swords of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway. Invoke the Holy Spirit of Wisdom to fortify my will to frequent the Sacraments so that, thus enlightened and strengthened, I may prefer God to all creatures and shun every occasion of sin.

Help me, as a living branch of the vine that is Jesus Christ, to exemplify His Divine charity always seeking the good of others. Queen of Apostles, aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. Keep my apostolate fearless, dynamic and articulate, to proclaim the loving solicitude of Our Father in Heaven so that the wayward may heed His pleading and obtain pardon, through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

What Will Convert America?

Mother Teresa of Calcutta asked, "What will convert America and save the world? My answer is prayer. What we need is for every Parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Hours of prayer." Mother was an ardent supporter of Eucharistic Adoration, especially Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Most of us are also keenly aware that she was a great apostle for life. She told everyone the solution, saying if people spent one hour per week in Eucharistic Adoration, there would be a pro-life victory in our country. The whole world admired and respected Mother Teresa, yet how many Catholics in the world, how many of us have heeded her inspired directives for every parish to go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Hours of prayer every week?

On October 12, 1998 at the Basilica of The National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC approximately 4 to 5,000 people gathered for a Eucharistic Prayer Vigil from 9am to 6pm. I was there, along with the others, heeding Mother Teresa's call to go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for conversion of the world and a pro-life victory in our world. We attended the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, celebrated by Bishop James McHugh, we adored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we prayed rosaries, sang songs and listened to inspired speakers.

The tone of the day was somber, for as the closing speaker Dr. Mark Miravalle S.T.D. Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville remarked "we are in a spiritual battle, the only way to win a spiritual battle is with prayer - especially Eucharistic Adoration." Dr. Miravalle continued, " pray the rosary - especially before the Blessed Sacrament - the church attaches a plenary indulgence to this because it is so important !" He also recommended that we constantly ask Mary, the Mother of God, to intercede to her Divine Son for us, for every time in the history of Christianity when the world has been in trouble Catholics have run to Mary for help and refuge and she has helped them. We are now living in such a time.

I do not want to alarm anyone, just alert them. There are increasing dangers to the unborn, the handicapped, and the elderly. In an article on October 2 the Holy Father's words to the U.S., about the risk of losing our soul over our culture of death, were words of caution. We must all pray and work harder than ever before, empowered with God's grace and inspiration (which we get from Jesus in Holy Communion and Eucharistic Adoration). If we rely on our own strength and wisdom, like many of us have been, we will continue to lose the battle.

We know the problem, we know the solution, let us unite before Our Eucharistic Lord daily and follow His directions to victory!

Copyright 1998, Linda Bracy. All rights reserved.

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament

How many precious little innocent babies must die, how many elderly, sickly and disabled must be euthanized, how many must starve and suffer oppression, how many lives must end in war, how many souls must be lost, before we:

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with bended knee and acknowledge that He is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity!

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with a silent tongue and confess "Jesus in The Most Blessed Sacrament, you are Lord!"

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with bowed head and say "lead me, Lord".

Go to Jesus in The Most Blessed Sacrament with a humble heart and say "show me how to love as you love, Lord".

Go to Jesus in The Most Blessed Sacrament with folded hands and say "take my hands, use them as your hands Lord"

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with a closed mouth and listen to Him whispering to our soul, and responding with "Yes Lord".

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with a meek spirit and say, "Not by my power and my might, but by thy power and thy might Lord!"

Go to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with a fiat and say, "Not my will but Thy will be done Lord!"

Copyright 2000, Linda Bracy. All rights reserved.

O Mystical Light

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have seen His glory!" (John 1:14)

The eve was still, the star so bright 
Beaming down God's translucent light. 
The air, so chilled, so cold 
Not very welcoming, as this story unfolds.

Groans of pain filled the air-- 
A young woman lay in her hour of despair 
The labor eased, with rhythmic flight 
Then the intensity propelled her plight.

Silence was broken with a shrilling cry 
An infant son, so tiny, so helpless, pleading for care 
Had He felt the pains of birth, as though for to die? 
This babe, our God, naked, hungry and cold--so much to bear.

This God-man lovingly came to us so 
He taught us all truth, forever to know 
God's dignity is breathed into every human life 
never counting the grief nor the strife.

From His manger to His tomb 
He showed us how to transcend doom 
To be humble, to love and to serve, to give all that we can 
Whenever there is a need, we, ourselves, must bend.

He still lives among us in a small piece of bread 
His glory so resplendent, above human dread! 
Masking himself in the little, the meek and the poor 
To confound the haughty, by whom they are deplored.

Herod martyred the Holy Innocents, all under two 
Just as today our death peddlers do. 
We pray to be delivered into the promised land 
But, yet, what do we do to stop their hands?

Come again Lord Jesus with your radiant light 
Deliver us, once more, from this bottomless pit 
"The light shines on in darkness 
a darkness that did not overcome it." (John 1:5)

O Mystical Light, on this you Birthday so bright 
Fill us your Spirit, Love, Peace and Might. 
Send your Mother, Mary, and your angels to lead us to new heights 
Victory forever from a 'Culture of death to a culture of Life!'

Copyright 1998, Linda Bracy. All rights reserved.

O Mary, Mother of the Unborn, protect the gift of human life which your Divine Son has allowed to be given. Give strength and joy to all parents as they await the birth of the precious child they have conceived. Give courage to those who are fearful, calm those who are anxious and guide all of us, with your motherly care, to treasure and protect the miraculous gift of human life. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary, Mother of the Unborn, Pray for Us!

Lord God, our Eternal Father, we come to Your Throne full of awe and reverence at Your Saving Power. Through our Brother and Savior Jesus Christ, we beg You to help us stop the widespread slaughter of unborn life in our land. May our love for our innocent brothers and sisters closely resemble the love that exists in the Holy Family. Help us provide all human life with protection under civil laws. We know that through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe Chosen Spouse of the Holy Spirit, our request will be granted through Christ Our Lord. AMEN.

(As parents provide for their small children because of their inability to provide for themselves, may we voice the "Prayer of the Unborn" for the tiny preborn babies who are unable to pray.)

Heavenly Father, I thank thee for the gift of life. Grant that the dear mother who gives me birth may welcome me with love. If she cannot raise me, Lord, grant that she may give birth to me and allow me to be adopted.

Spiritual Adoption Prayer for the Unborn

Jesus, Mary, Joseph I love you very much. 
I beg you to spare the life of the unborn child that I have spiritually adopted.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

PRAYER TO ST. ANNE & ST. JOACHIM

Saints Anne and Joachim, we bless you for your great faith and love as parents. Your respect and reverence for the sacredness of human life made you the parents of Mary, Mother of the Lord. Through your intercession, we ask God to grant young people today that same reverence for the gift of new life. May they accept, cherish, and nourish life from the very moment of conception. Grant to us as a nation a renewed reverence for every human life. As Mary cherished her Child from the womb even to the tomb, so may we see in every person the very image of God. Great Saints Anne and Joachim, we ask this grace in the name of Mary's Son, Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Mary — The Perfect Adorer of Jesus Eucharistic

St. Peter Julian Eymard

Honor in Mary, at the foot of the Tabernacle, all the mysteries of her life, for all these were stations, as it were, leading to the Cenacle. In Mary's life there you will find the model and the consolation of your own life. In the Cenacle, this august Queen kneels as adoratrix and servant of the Most Blessed Sacrament: kneel at your Mother's side and pray with her, and in so doing, you will continue her Eucharistic Life on earth.

When you receive Holy Communion, clothe yourself with the virtues and merits of Mary, your Mother, and you will thus communicate with her faith and with he devotion. O how happy Jesus will be to find in you the image of His lovable and holy Mother!

When you labor to promote the Eucharistic reign of our Lord, unite yourself with Mary's intention and with her joy when she worked for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and you will be happy!

Oh, how Mary will love you if you serve her Jesus well! How she will protect you if you labor only for the glory of Jesus! How she will enrich you if you live only for the love of Jesus! You will render her still more Mother, since you enable her to discharge more perfectly her mission as Mother of the adorers of her Son Jesus.

But you must be modest as she was. Remember her modesty in the Angel's presence, and reflect on the modesty with which she served her Son in the Blessed Sacrament.

Be pure as Mary. Remember that in order to preserve the flower of her virginity she was ready to sacrifice even the glory of the Divine Maternity.

Be humble as Mary — entirely lost in her own nothingness, entirely abandoned to God's grace.

Be sweet and amiable as Mary. She was the embodiment of the sweetness of the Heart of Jesus.

Be devoted as Mary. Mary loved to the extent of Calvary — she loved even unto death. It was on Calvary that she became the Mother of love. There only will you become a true adorer, worthy of the Cenacle, worthy of Jesus and Mary.

Our Lady of the New Advent

"The Piety of the Christian people has always very rightly sensed a profound link between devotion to the Blessed Virgin and worship of the Eucharist: this is a fact that can be seen in the liturgy of both the West and East, in the traditions of religious families, in the modern movements of spirituality, including those of youth and in the pastoral practice of Marian Shrines. Mary guides the faithful to the Eucharist." (Pope John Paul II)