March/April 2008
Newsletter No. 111
“The bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the
world” (Jn 6:51).
“During this Easter season I encourage all of you to discover ever more
fully in the Eucharist, the sacrament of Christ's sacrificial love, the
inspiration and strength needed to work ever more generously for the spread of
God's Kingdom and the growth of the civilization of love” (cf.
Sacramentum Caritatis, 90). -Pope Benedict XVI, April 20, 2007
Dec. 8,’07 the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy issued a letter
encouraging dioceses to start Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration to Pray for the
Priesthood. Following are excerpts:
“In his Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, the
Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI concretized the perennial teaching of the Church
on the centrality of Eucharistic adoration in ecclesial life by a direct appeal
addressed to all pastors, bishops, priests, as well as the People of God, for
perpetual Eucharistic adoration: ‘With the Synod Assembly, therefore, I
heartily recommend to the Church’s pastors and to the People of God the practice
of Eucharistic adoration, both individually and in community. (194) Great
benefit would ensue from a suitable catechesis explaining the importance of this
act of worship, which enables the faithful to experience the liturgical
celebration more fully and more fruitfully. Wherever possible, it would be
appropriate, especially in densely populated areas, to set aside specific
churches or oratories for perpetual adoration. I also recommend that, in their
catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy
Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with
Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the
Eucharist” (Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 67).
“Specific places are to be reserved for continuous
Eucharistic adoration. To that end, parish priests, rectors, and chaplains are
encouraged to introduce the practice of Eucharistic adoration in their
communities, both personally and communally, in a collective effort to enhance
prayer life. Let everyone be involved, beginning with children preparing for
First Holy Communion.”
“Initiatives directed at local clergy, especially those
relating to the continuing formation of priests, should be always permeated by a
Eucharistic spirit, specifically devoting a suitable time to the adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament, so that it may become—together with the Holy Mass—the
driving force for each individual and communitarian undertaking.”
World Day of Prayer for Vocations—April 13: Perpetual Adoration for
Vocations!
Adore “the living Christ in the Eucharist, falling ever more in love with Him, Who is our brother and true friend, the Bridegroom of the Church, the faithful and merciful God Who loved us first. Thus, you young people will be ready and willing to welcome His call, if He wants you totally for Him in the priesthood or in consecrated life” (Pope Benedict XVI, June 6, 2006). O Father, raise up among Christians abundant and holy vocations to the priesthood, who keep the faith alive and guard the blessed memory of your Son Jesus through the preaching of his word and the administration of the Sacraments, with which you continually renew your faithful. Grant us holy ministers of your altar, who are careful and fervent guardians of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the supreme gift of Christ for the redemption of the world. Call ministers of your mercy, who, through the sacrament of Reconciliation, spread the joy of your forgiveness. Grant, O Father, that the Church may welcome with joy the numerous inspirations of the Spirit of your Son and, docile to His teachings, may she care for vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life. Sustain the Bishops, priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, and all the baptized in Christ, so that they may faithfully fulfil their mission at the service of the Gospel. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us (Pope Benedict XVI, March 5, 2006).
St. Katharine Drexel, Religious, America (1858-1955)—Feast, March 3
“I adore the host which Jesus instituted to be forever the memorial of His
death. I adore my Savior who was crucified, dying and entombed on Calvary” (St.
Katharine Drexel).
Sts. Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs, Mothers, Rome (d. 203)—Feast, March
7
These young mothers gave their lives in witness to their Catholic faith. Both
women suffered terrible conditions in prison. They remained peaceful and
courageous in the face of terrible persecution, torture and death. When asked to
put on the pagan clothing in the arena, before their martyrdom, St. Perpetua
replied: “We came to die out of our own free will so we wouldn’t lose our
freedom to worship our God. We gave you our lives so that we wouldn’t have to
worship your gods.” St. Perpetua wrote an account of their conversion,
imprisonment and impending martyrdom which was read at early liturgies.
St. John of God, Religious, Ptn. of Heart Patients, Portugal
(1495-1550)—March 8
St. John grew up in a holy family. As a youth, he entered the military and left
his faith, but later returned and devoted his life entirely to God. Nourished by
his great love of the Holy Eucharist, St. John spent himself totally caring for
the poor, sick, and sinners. He founded the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of
God to help aid in this work. He is the patron of booksellers, the sick, health
care providers, firefighters and alcoholics. St. John wrote, “Labor without
ceasing to do all the good works you can while you still have time.”
St. Joseph, Patron of Universal Church, Spouse of B.V.M.—March 15
“Humility must be the dominant virtue of an adorer. He adores Jesus far more
humiliated in the Blessed Sacrament than at Bethlehem or during His mortal life.
He serves the King of heaven and earth annihilated under the Sacred Species.
Like Saint Joseph the adorer must consider himself unworthy of serving Jesus. He
must honor Christ’s Eucharistic abasements by giving up all self-glory, all
self-esteem, everything that might draw admiration upon himself. The great rule
must be that of Saint Joseph who never appears when there is question of glory
in the service of Jesus, and that of Saint John the Baptist who, in answer to
praise, cried out: ‘He must become more and more, I must become less and less.’
To Jesus be honor and glory; to me scorn and oblivion. Saint Joseph, who was
so humble in the presence of the Man-God, obtain for us grace to lose ourselves
in the service of Jesus in the Sacred Host” (St. Peter Julian Eymard).
Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord—March 23: Jesus is Risen,
He is Here!
Christ has become our paschal sacrifice (1 Cor 5:7). Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord—March 31
“Like Mary, let us be full of zeal to go in haste to give Jesus to others. She
was full of grace when, at the annunciation, she received Jesus. Like her, we
too become full of grace every time we receive Holy Communion. It is the same
Jesus whom she received and whom we receive at Mass. As soon as she received Him
she went with haste to give Him to John. For us also, as soon as we receive
Jesus in Holy Communion, let us go in haste to give Him to our sisters, to our
poor, to the sick, to the dying, to the lepers, to the unwanted, and the
unloved. By this we make Jesus present in the world today” (Bl. Mother Teresa of
Calcutta).
Pope John Paul II, Servant of God, Poland (1920-2005)—Anniversary of
Death, Apr. 2
“Spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before
Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament” (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de
Eucharistia, 25).
St. Bernadette, Lourdes Visionary and Nun (1844-1879), France—April 16
From a letter St. Bernadette wrote to her cousins preparing for their First
Communion:
“Everything about this day should show you how important it
is, from the great care they are taking to prepare you for it, to the solemnity
with which this beautiful day is always surrounded. Indeed, is there a more
sacred or more important act? Inexhaustible treasures of grace are opened to you
through the Eucharist and its influence in your lives should increase over the
years to come. So pray often. Pray to Our Lord and his Most Holy Mother to help
you understand the importance of this great act.”
“My dear little friends, this sweet day, the object of your
desires, so rich in the happiness and holy joy you have heard spoken of so
often, will soon arrive. This day will be beautiful, great and solemn. It will
fill your young hearts with holy consolations. It will be a precious memory,
since, for the first time, you will be given a place at the heavenly banquet,
where you will be nourished with the Body of God. You will be washed and your
thirst quenched
in His Blood, intimately united with His divinity and blessed with the grace of
His love.”
“O my dear children, we would have to have the hearts of
angels to receive Our Lord as He deserves, so try to receive Him with as much
faith, humility and love as you can. And when our Lord is in your heart, trust
Him completely and dwell in the delights of His presence. Love, worship, listen,
praise. Oh, the happy moment! Eternity alone holds greater joys for us.”
“Take advantage of Our Lord’s presence to ask Him for all
kinds of graces, for yourselves, for your parents, for all those who prepared
you for this important act, for the Church, for our Holy Father the Pope, for
the dear souls in Purgatory, for poor sinners. Finally, go to Mary’s altar.
Confide your resolutions to her and put the treasure of your innocence and
devotion under her protection. You know that we never turn to her in vain. Ask
her for the grace to love Our Lord as she herself loves Him and to remain
faithful to Him both in life and in death.” (This year marks the 150th
anniversary of Our Lady’s apparitions at Lourdes).
St. Louis Mary de Montfort, Priest, Missionary, France
(1673-1716)—April 28
“It was you, Virgin Mary,/Who gave us this Body and Blood / Which raises our
status so high / that it is beyond the reach of the angels. May you be blessed
throughout the world / For giving us such a great gift” (St. Louis de Montfort,
Hymns, 134:11).
St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Wife, Mother, Doctor, Italy (1922-1962)—April
28
“St. Gianna, filled with love for God. St. Gianna, filled with love for
children. St. Gianna, filled with love for Our Lady and her Rosary. St. Gianna,
filled with love for the Most Blessed Sacrament. St. Gianna, who sought the will
of God in all things. St. Gianna, generous with those in need. St. Gianna,
devoted to prayer. St. Gianna, willing to lay down your life for the sake of the
gospel. St. Gianna, patient in suffering. St. Gianna, united to Jesus on the
Cross. St. Gianna, called to the vocation of marriage. St. Gianna, who welcomed
children as a blessing. St. Gianna, physician to the ill. St. Gianna, faithful
daughter of the church. St. Gianna, witness to the sanctity of human life” (From
the Litany of St. Gianna).
St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Church Doctor, Patroness of Italy
(1347-1380)—April 29
“Jesus, every day you give us this food, showing us yourself in the sacrament of
the altar . . . And what has done this? Your mercy” “Precious Blood, ocean of
divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every
grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood,
delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.”
Reflections for Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Season
“The Holy Hour is not a devotion; it is a sharing in the work of redemption . . . He [Jesus] asked for an hour of reparation to combat the hour of evil; an hour of victimal union with the Cross to overcome the anti-love of sin” (Archbishop Sheen). Evil must be overcome with good. Greater evil must be overcome with greater good. The extraordinary evils of the world today must be overcome with the extraordinary good of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration!
Holy Thursday—March 20
Prayer for Priests: I beseech You, direct the hearts
and wills of the servants of Your Bride, the Holy Church, unto Yourself so that
they may follow the poor, bleeding, humble, and gentle Lamb of God on the way of
the Cross. Make them angels in the shape of men; for after all, they have to
administer and distribute the Body and Blood of Your Only Begotten Son! Amen.
(By St. Catherine of Siena)
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, March 21:Could You Not Watch One Hour
With Me?
“We adore you, Jesus, and we thank you, for you make truly present in the
Eucharist the mystery of that unique gift you offered to the Father 2,000 years
ago with your sacrifice on the Cross, a sacrifice that redeemed the whole of
humanity and all creation” (John Paul II, Servant of God, March 15, 2005).
Holy Saturday—March 22
“In place of the lamb He [Jesus] gave Himself, His body and His
blood. . . . He offered His own life. Only in this way did the ancient Easter
find its true meaning.” “At the center of Jesus’ new Easter was the Cross. From
there came the new gift He brought. And so it always remains in the Blessed
Eucharist, in which we are able to celebrate the new Easter with the Apostles
over the course of the centuries” (Pope Benedict XVI, Holy Thursday 2007).
Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of Our Lord—March 23: Jesus is Risen-Alleluia!!!
“We have Him so near in the Blessed Sacrament, where He is
already glorified and where we don’t have to gaze upon Him as being so tired and
worn out, bleeding, wearied by His journeys, persecuted by those for whom He did
so much good, and not believed in by the Apostles . . . . Behold Him here
without suffering, full of glory, before ascending into heaven, strengthening
some, encouraging others, our companion in the most Blessed Sacrament” (St.
Teresa of Avila). We wish you a Blessed and Joyous Easter!
Divine Mercy Sunday—March 30
“In an epoch marked by hatred, selfishness, the desire for false
happiness, by the decadence of customs, the absence of father and mother
figures, instability in numerous young families and by widespread frailty and
hardship to which many young people fall prey, we look to you, Jesus in the
Eucharist, with renewed hope. In spite of our sins we trust in your divine
Mercy. We repeat to you, together with the disciples of Emmaus, ‘Mane
nobiscum Domine!,’ ‘Stay with us, Lord!’ In the Eucharist you restore to the
Father all that comes from him and thus bring about a profound mystery of the
justice due to the Creator on behalf of the creature. The heavenly Father has
created us in his image and likeness; from him we received the gift of life,
whose preciousness from conception until death we become particularly aware of
when it is threatened and manipulated . . . . ‘Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas!’
We adore you, Jesus in the Eucharist! We worship your Body and your Blood, given
for us so that our sins might be forgiven: O Sacrament of the new and eternal
Covenant! (John Paul II, March 15, 2005).
Go to Confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Pray
the Divine Mercy Chaplet!
START PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION IN YOUR PARISH TODAY!
Intentions: Please pray for the following people during
the Lenten & Easter Season:
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Adoration ! Thank you!
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