Jesus is waiting for you: Spend time with the Eucharist

Monday, June 13, 2022

Dolores Hanley McDiarmid

English Spanish

It has come to the attention of the U.S. bishops that an alarming percentage of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus, and not the Real Presence of Jesus. That is, they don’t believe that his body, blood, soul, and divinity become present at the time of consecration.

On Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19, 2022, the bishops will officially launch the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year journey of helping Catholics rediscover the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist and develop a personal relationship with Jesus. It is a time for Catholics to be healed, converted and renewed in our love for Jesus; to rediscover the immense love he has for us and the gift he has given to us in the Eucharist.

While reading the book “Eucharistic Adoration: Reflections in the Franciscan Tradition” by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, I learned that St. Pius X is called the pope of the Eucharist and changed Church regulations to allow the reception of first Communion at an earlier age. St. Pius X also believed in the importance of receiving the Eucharist regularly.

This June, Father Jean Jadotte, administrator of St. Pius the X Parish in Fort Lauderdale, is kicking off the National Eucharistic Revival by encouraging his parishioners to attend Eucharistic adoration every Thursday and on first Fridays. They are being encouraged to attend Eucharistic adoration because it provides an opportunity to encounter Jesus in a personal way. Pamphlets will be placed in each pew that explain Eucharistic adoration, its history, and things to do while in the company of the Blessed Sacrament.

It is during these encounters that Our Lord can transform us, enabling us to become a better reflection of him to others. We cultivate our personal relationship with him and receive graces to help us live a holy life. We are all called to be saints! The more time we spend in front of the Blessed Sacrament, the Real Presence of Jesus, the more we can become like him.

People may be apprehensive about coming to Eucharistic adoration because they have never experienced it and are not sure what is expected from them. What do we do at Eucharistic adoration?

When one first enters the chapel or church where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance, one genuflects or bows in reverence for being in the presence of the Real Presence of Jesus. Kneeling is the most reverent position but sitting is also acceptable. This is one of the few opportunities to “be still” and quiet the mind. There should be no talking or use of electronics unless you are using your phone for prayers.

Here are some things to consider doing:

Focus on God, looking at the face of Jesus
Meditate on the Passion of Our Lord
Talk with Jesus about things that are on your mind
Listen to what Jesus has to say to you
Read scripture verses from the Bible and meditate/reflect on them and how they pertain to your life
Pray the rosary
Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Read materials about the saints who loved Our Lord and are our role models
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or
Just sit there and be with Jesus.

Please consider spending more time with the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament at your church. Jesus is waiting for you. He has special plans for you. You do not want to miss this exciting three-year journey.

In addition to Eucharistic adoration, the parish of St. Pius X plans to show movies about the Eucharist throughout the three years of the revival. Also, each month the bulletin will contain a quote from a saint or blessed about the Eucharist, and names of books about the Eucharist that can help parishioners develop a better understanding and belief in the Real Presence as the sacred gift we have as Catholics.

As we kick off the National Eucharistic Revival, we ask for the intercession of St. Pius X and we pray: Come Holy Spirit, remove the spiritual cataracts that cause our unbelief.

Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us. Please help us to believe in and love the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated hosts within all the tabernacles and in the holy Eucharist as you did, so that as the three children of Fatima, we too can pray: My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee.

Comments from readers

Maria M - 06/17/2022 07:52 PM

Thank you for sharing this valuable information and ideas, Delores. We are blessed to have the opportunity to be in the Presence of Jesus and begin to have and grow that personal connection with Him. This endeavor will be a stepping stone to put Christ first in our lives once again. Many parishes have adoration, either perpetual or for certain times and days, yet not many of us take advantage of visiting him regularly. For example, Mother of Our Redeemer has a beautiful opportunity the First Friday of every month called Friday of Fire or Viernes de Fuego, with the intent to ignite or re-ignite the devotion to adoration and being in His presence. Also, they have a beautiful Chapel.

Betsy Banister - 06/15/2022 04:36 PM

Beautifully written and so true. Thank you Delores for bringing it to our attention and with Gods grace to make Him a part of our daily lives.

Tom Wolf - 06/15/2022 12:39 PM

This is a wonderful idea. I know St. Malachy Parish has 24 hour adoration. During the day it is open for visits and the scheduled adoration people. During the night the scheduled people have the lock pass code to visit Jesus. Thehuge failure of the last 50 plus years is the failure to keep the peoples eye on the reason for the Catholic Church: Our Lord Jesus who has given us His gift of love in the Holy Eucharist. The Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus present in every tabernacle in every Catholic Church in the world. The grave error of only a percentage of the Catholics left who honor Jesus at all, and believe He is present in the Bread and Wine of life is a tragedy and hurt for Jesus beyond our comprehension. Thank you for trying to rekindle the love of the physical presence and gift of Love of Jesus to us. Just think of Jesus waiting for us in all those locked churches and no one able to come to him. Time to change that. In one country that shall be nameless the bishops are trying to tell people to no longer bow or genuflect in front of the tabernacle. Wouldn't want to be those bishops ever. I thank our great Bishop who is doing things to lead us all to heaven and to Jesus.

Pat Solenski - 06/15/2022 12:13 PM

Thank you for an informative and reflective piece. Growing deeper in love with the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus is one of the many treasures in the Catholic Church! We are truly blessed!

Jack Louden - 06/13/2022 09:09 AM

I love the concept that we ourselves are the bread of life. Composer Rory Cooney states it so well. "I myself am the bread of life. You and I, are the bread of life." What a loving statement about our Christ centered life.

Maria M - 06/17/2022 07:52 PM: Thank you for sharing this valuable information and ideas, Delores. We are blessed to have the opportunity to be in the Presence of Jesus and begin to have and grow that personal connection with Him. This endeavor will be a stepping stone to put Christ first in our lives once again. Many parishes have adoration, either perpetual or for certain times and days, yet not many of us take advantage of visiting him regularly. For example, Mother of Our Redeemer has a beautiful opportunity the First Friday of every month called Friday of Fire or Viernes de Fuego, with the intent to ignite or re-ignite the devotion to adoration and being in His presence. Also, they have a beautiful Chapel.

Betsy Banister - 06/15/2022 04:36 PM: Beautifully written and so true. Thank you Delores for bringing it to our attention and with Gods grace to make Him a part of our daily lives.

Tom Wolf - 06/15/2022 12:39 PM: This is a wonderful idea. I know St. Malachy Parish has 24 hour adoration. During the day it is open for visits and the scheduled adoration people. During the night the scheduled people have the lock pass code to visit Jesus. Thehuge failure of the last 50 plus years is the failure to keep the peoples eye on the reason for the Catholic Church: Our Lord Jesus who has given us His gift of love in the Holy Eucharist. The Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus present in every tabernacle in every Catholic Church in the world. The grave error of only a percentage of the Catholics left who honor Jesus at all, and believe He is present in the Bread and Wine of life is a tragedy and hurt for Jesus beyond our comprehension. Thank you for trying to rekindle the love of the physical presence and gift of Love of Jesus to us. Just think of Jesus waiting for us in all those locked churches and no one able to come to him. Time to change that. In one country that shall be nameless the bishops are trying to tell people to no longer bow or genuflect in front of the tabernacle. Wouldn't want to be those bishops ever. I thank our great Bishop who is doing things to lead us all to heaven and to Jesus.

Pat Solenski - 06/15/2022 12:13 PM: Thank you for an informative and reflective piece. Growing deeper in love with the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus is one of the many treasures in the Catholic Church! We are truly blessed!

Jack Louden - 06/13/2022 09:09 AM: I love the concept that we ourselves are the bread of life. Composer Rory Cooney states it so well. "I myself am the bread of life. You and I, are the bread of life." What a loving statement about our Christ centered life.