"BE NOT AFRAID!"
"Peoples of the entire world need
to hear these words. Their conscience needs to grow in the certainty
that Someone exists who holds in His Hands the destiny of this passing
world... And this Someone is Love--Love that became Man, Love crucified
and risen, Love unceasingly present among men. It is
Eucharistic Love" (Pope John Paul II).
"Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament
of Love" (Pope John Paul II, Art. 3, Dominicae Cenae). It
is in this wondrous Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist that our Lord, Savior
and Redeemer mends, molds and fortifies us for the perilous journey of
life. Through His awesome Presence, He speaks to our hearts and souls,
transmitting His life giving power and messages of love, hope and encouragement.
It is in this most Divine manner that He calms and reassures us "Take
courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!" (Mk. 6:50).
"The Divine Eucharist forms the
principal substance of the Christian's life; It is the inexhaustible source
of consolations and supernatural comforts which soothes the sorrows and
sufferings of poor mankind better than any human remedy" (Pope Pius
XI).
Eucharistic Apostles of Love, Mercy and Courage
St. Martin de Porres,
apostle of mercy and charity, was born in 1579 in Lima, Peru, son of a
Spanish nobleman and a black free woman. Martin grew up with poverty and
persecution. From a very young age St. Martin would spend many
hours daily adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. It was in
this great school of Eucharistic Love that Martin grew in compassion
for the poor, sick, lowly and needy. As a Dominican brother, St. Martin
was either communing with Jesus Eucharistic or ministering to all who needed
him. He was a great miracle worker with many mystical gifts. He also had
the gifts of healing, multiplication of food, conversions, raising the
dead, bilocation, inner locutions and visions! "They who humble themselves
shall be exalted..." (Lk. 18:14)
"The Eucharist teaches us
that love in the world can bring about a community which does not fear
death and lives with courage"
(Bishop John J. Meyers).
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was
born in Italy yet was the first American citizen to become a saint. She
started a missionary order in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to care
for the poor in hospitals and schools. She, and her small order of Sisters,
arrived in New York City in 1889, without even a place to stay. Mother
Cabrini, and her sisters, made several Holy Hours of Adoration before the
Sacred Eucharistic Heart of Jesus every day, despite their very demanding
schedule. She said "Pray always with Jesus, always remembering that a soul
united with Jesus can do everything..." At the time of Mother Cabrini's
death, in 1917, she had more than four thousand sisters, over fifty houses,
in addition to many orphanages, schools, and hospitals worldwide!
"Our Hours of adoration will be special hours of reparation for sins, and intercession for the needs of the whole world, exposing the sin-sick and suffering humanity to the healing, sustaining and transforming rays of Jesus, radiating from the Eucharist." (Mother Teresa)
"Our own belief is that the renovation of the world will be brought about only by the Holy Eucharist." "Our Lord came to the aid of each great tribulation with a special devotion. The present and future tribulations of the Church and of nations are greater than at any other period, and this persecution is more dangerous than those of previous times. Hence, the devotion which God sends to the succor of His Church and of the nations at the present time is the devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist. It is the highest of all devotions" (Words of Pope Leo XIII).
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830 at the Daughters of Charity convent
on rue du Bac in Paris, France. Preceding Our Lady's apparition an
angel awoke St. Catherine and said, "Come to the Chapel. The Blessed Virgin
is waiting for you." Our Lady spoke to St. Catherine near the sanctuary,
prophesying many sufferings her country would undergo, but encouraged her
by saying: "Do not be afraid. Tell them not to be afraid."
In her second apparition, on November 27, Our Lady revealed her desire
for the Miraculous Medal to St. Catherine. Over the course of the
apparitions, which always occurred near the Blessed Sacrament, Our Mother
gave her this message for the world, "Come to the foot of the altar.
Here graces will be showered on all, great and little, who ask for them.
Graces will especially be showered upon those who ask for them."
Our Lady always leads us to adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
in the sanctuary where He dwells. Now is the time to follow our Mother
through Perpetual Adoration of her Son. "Let us go with confidence to
the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace" (Heb 4:16).
"I desire that Adoration take
place for the intention of imploring Mercy for the world,"
words of Jesus to St. Mary Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament.
PRAYER FOR LIFE
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Living God and Son of Mary, we praise and thank
You for the precious gift of life, Divine Life and human life. We
commit ourselves to adoring and proclaiming Your Personal Presence in the
Most Holy Eucharist, for in You alone is the victory of life. We dedicate
our lives to protecting and defending all human life: the unborn babies,
the sick, the elderly, the poor, and all victims of violence. We
implore Your Love and Mercy upon the whole world, for You are the true
source of all peace and all hope.
By the Life-Giving
power of Your Precious Body and Blood, please strengthen and guide us to
proclaim, protect, and defend the dignity and sanctity of life. Transform
us by Your Merciful Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, that we may all
be one with You, and The Father and The Holy Spirit now and forever.
Amen.
Help us proclaim Jesus Eucharistic King, by sending a tax deductible donation of $25, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 to the address below. Our Missionaries need your generosity.
Start Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in your parish today!
Contact us to schedule a Missionary
and obtain information on Eucharistic Adoration:
Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament
PO Box 1701, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Ph: (518)561-8193
Fax: (518)566-7103
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