The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage has traced a cross over our nation in the past two months. As the pilgrims have publicly witnessed to their belief in Jesus, present in the Eucharist and present among us, the Church has sent one great message to the world: “You’re invited!”
You are invited to see Jesus, or better to be seen by Jesus, as he passes by on pilgrimage—and to realize that you are the one for whom he gave up his life.
You are invited to discover that the world belongs to God and that even now, in ways we can’t see or understand, God is caring for all of us.
You are invited to enter into the Church that belongs to Christ as his Body and as his Bride.
You are invited to come to Jesus with everything that worries, perplexes, or defeats you and to discover how the Eucharist brings healing to our lives by making present his victory over death.
In the Eucharist, “we learn that we’re the ones for whom Jesus gave up his life; we’re the ones for whom he poured out his body and his blood; we’re his beloved bride, whom he found worthy enough to die for, and we are his body,” said Bishop Cozzens who is overseeing the organization of the Eucharistic Congress.
We have been excited about the way people are rediscovering the Eucharist during the Revival. A friend of ours told us how she sent a text to a woman who had shared wit her some worries that were a burden on her heart. Our friend felt called to text her: “When I need God’s help I go to Mass and to Eucharistic Adoration.” That was all. The woman followed through on her invitation and within this past year entered the Church.
“Everyone’s invited.”
“Come to me, all of you”
The words of Jesus bring us to the heart of the Revival: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).
As Daughters of St. Paul, we daily answer Jesus’ invitation to come to him in the Eucharist, to “visit” with him, as our founder, Blessed James Alberione, taught us. And what do we do during that hour of adoration? What any two friends would do while they are together: share their heart with each other, tell each other what’s been going on in their lives, or simply spend time together resting in each other’s presence. In the Hour of Eucharistic Adoration we ask Jesus Master for wisdom, for help, for mercy. There we receive what we give to others in mission.
Blessed Alberione often told us to do our mission “on our knees,” interceding for the world before the Eucharist and begging for light, grace, and mercy. He said, “Be Eucharistic souls and you will be fervent apostles. The Eucharistic soul understands the desires of the heart of Jesus and her will is strengthened to bring him to the world. And how can one love Jesus and not desire that his word reach everyone?”
A fire made of many sparks
The Eucharistic Revival is a fire made of many sparks. The greater number of people who are set ablaze with love for Jesus in the Eucharist, the brighter and greater the fire, and the more the world will be flooded with his love. You too can be a spark in this great Eucharistic Revival by joining Catholics all over the country in making an Hour of Adoration during these days that the Eucharistic Congress approaches.
Here is an introduction to the Pauline method for Eucharistic adoration:
- Recollect yourself and become aware that you are in the Lord’s presence. Recall any intentions that you may have for this Visit with Jesus, for yourself or for others. Spend a few moments in silent adoration.
- In honor of Jesus Truth, the light for our minds: ask for the help of the Holy Spirit as you prepare to encounter Jesus Truth in his Word.
- Scripture is given pride of place in a Pauline Visit with Jesus. You may wish to pray with the Gospel of the day, or another Scripture passage that has been speaking to you.
- In honor of Jesus Way, the light for our wills: ask Jesus Master to help you as you prepare to encounter him in an examen. Gaze at the life of Jesus, and with him gaze at your own life. Give thanks for your correspondence to grace and ask for his mercy for your sins.
- You may wish to journal during this time on your prayer with the Word of God, Jesus’ invitations to you, your desires, resistances, etc.
- In honor of Jesus Life, the light for our hearts: ask the Trinity for the grace to live what Jesus has offered to you in this Visit with him. Intercede for others, for the world. You may wish to pray a decade of the rosary.
