JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2008 WHISPERS
Vol 10, #1
On Adoration of the Holy Eucharist
by St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)
The Eucharist is not only the end but the continuation of the Incarnation and Passion of the Savior. Under the form of the Sacrament, Jesus continues the poverty of His birth, the obedience of Nazareth, the humility of His life, the humiliation of His Passion, His state of Victim on the Cross.
Nothing can compare with the ardor and power of a soul as it seeks its Beloved and longs for Him; it finds its happiness in longing for Him and seeking Him. the God of the Eucharist conceals Himself in order to be desired, veils Himself in order to be desired, veils Himself in order to become an object of contemplation; He wraps Himself in mystery in order to spur on and perfect the soul’s love. The Holy Eucharist thus becomes a food ever new, ever powerful over the heart it inflames. Something akin to what happens in heaven then takes place: a hunger and thirst for God ever keen and ever satisfied; the loving soul penetrates the depths of divine love and never ceases discovering new riches therein; Jesus manifest Himself by degrees to the soul to draw it ever more purely and strongly to Himself.
The adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is the end of the Church Militant, just as adoration of God in His glory is the end of the Church Triumphant. A holy rivalry, a concert of prayer, a harmony of divine service should exist between the heavenly court and the Eucharistic court below, between the adorer and his mother the Church.
*St. Peter’s feast day is August 2nd. He was a Marist priest who founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856.
Prayer to St. Peter Julian Eymard
O Saint Peter Julian, who received the great privilege of so perfectly knowing what treasures are our in the Most Blessed Sacrament, obtain for us in imitation of you, faithful adorers in spirit and truth of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
A blessed 2008 to all faithful adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. John Byers
The EPIPHANY
***************
Wishing you all a grace-filled New Year!
May your lives
and your adoration
“reveal”
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
to the world
as Lord and King,
as you bring the precious gifts that the Father has given you
before Him and to the world!
Wishing you
true faith, hope, and love
throughout the year!
PEACE ON EARTH!
FROM
REV. MSGR.
ROBERT LUNSFORD
We are confronted today with a challenge which has characterized every generation of Christians: What does it mean to be a Christian? What characterizes Christian identity? It is essential that we ponder it because Christianity is under attack by a secular culture which, in its various manifestations, not least the media, influences us far more than we realize or generally care to admit.
It was no different in St. Augustine's day in the fifth century. Pagans were "tolerant" of everything and disdained Christians and Christianity as weak. Religion was a "private matter" to be kept out of the public square. Augustine was committed to forming strong Christians who knew their identity rested in Christ and who could resist the still influential pagan culture. He maintained that Christian identity was found in humility and the virtues of faith, hope and love. It is no less true today. Christ is our exemplar and the saint said His humility was evident in 1) the Incarnation, 2) the Paschal Mystery, and 3) The Eucharist.
First, He Who was God became what He was not, lowering Himself in assuming our human nature; in doing so He Who
was both God and man became a mediator
so that we might have access to God, once again. In the Paschal Mystery, He Who was sinless, became both priest and victim, taking on Himself the consequences of our sins and making atonement on the cross. "He emptied Himself of the glory that was His and became obedient to death, even death on the cross." He was exalted because of this and in heaven, as priest mediator and head of His Body, the Church, He continues to intercede to the Father for us. This same
Jesus Who is God remains humbly hidden under the appearance of bread and wine in
the Eucharist, never separated from us, His Body who groan and await the fullness of redemption.
We are to be like Him, meek and humble of heart. Both St. Augustine and St. Bernard teach us that humility is first of all self knowledge. This knowledge teaches us that we are fallen sinners, desperately in need of God our Savior since we are incapable of saving , and, who, as head of ourselves. They also teach us that recognition of this need should lead us to turn to Jesus in confident faith and love, placing all our hope in Him Who even now intercedes for us, the members of His Body from which He is never separated. St. Bernard adds that this should lead us to a greater understanding of, and sympathy for, our sisters and brothers who share the same fallen nature we do and for whom Jesus died as He did for us, loving them as He loves them.
Pondering these things in the presence of our humble Lord in the Eucharist opens our hearts to the activity of the Holy Spirit, for, as David says, "A humble and contrite heart you will not spurn." The Spirit will teach us the meaning of Jesus' words "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart." and He will lead us ever more deeply into the mystery of God's love and a greater union of our hearts and minds with His. We will know who we are as Christians and reflect the light of His truth and love to those living in darkness and without hope.
ADORATION
AND
EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION
Submitted by Mike Szostak
Parishioner, St. Peter
The following are taken from the recent papal document by Benedict XVI on the Holy Eucharist, "Sacrament of Love".
The Intrinsic Relationship Between Celebration and Adoration
66. One of the most moving moments of the Synod came when we gathered in Saint Peter's Basilica, together with a great number of the faithful, for Eucharistic adoration. In this act of prayer, and not just in words, the assembly of Bishops wanted to point out the intrinsic relationship between Eucharistic celebration and Eucharistic adoration. A growing appreciation of this significant aspect of the Church's faith has been an important part of our experience in the years following the liturgical renewal desired by the Second Vatican Council. During the early phases of the reform, the inherent relationship between Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was not always perceived with sufficient clarity. For example, an objection that was widespread at the time argued that the Eucharistic bread was given to us not to be looked at, but to be eaten. In the light of the Church's experience of prayer, however, this was seen to be a false dichotomy.
As Saint Augustine put it: "nemo autem illam carnem manducat, nisi prius adoraverit; peccemus non adorando – no one eats that flesh without first adoring it; we should sin were we not to adore it." (191) In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us and desires to become one with us; Eucharistic adoration is simply the natural consequence of the Eucharistic celebration, which is itself the Church's supreme act of adoration. (192) Receiving the Eucharist means adoring him whom we receive. Only in this way do we become one with him, and are given, as it were, a foretaste of the beauty of the heavenly liturgy. The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself. Indeed, "only in adoration can a profound and genuine reception mature. And it is precisely this personal encounter with the Lord that then strengthens the social mission contained in the Eucharist, which seeks to break down not only the walls that separate the Lord and ourselves, but also and especially the walls that separate us from one another." (193)
The Practice of Eucharistic Adoration
67. 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.
Here I would like to express appreciation and support for all those Institutes of Consecrated Life whose members dedicate a significant amount of time to eucharistic adoration. In this way they give us an example of lives shaped by the Lord's real presence. I would also like to encourage those associations of the faithful and confraternities specifically devoted to eucharistic adoration; they serve as a leaven of contemplation for the whole Church and a summons to individuals and communities to place Christ at the centre of their lives.
Forms of Eucharistic Devotion
68. The personal relationship which the individual believer establishes with Jesus present in the Eucharist constantly points beyond itself to the whole communion of the Church and nourishes a fuller sense of membership in the Body of Christ. For this reason, besides encouraging individual believers to make time for personal prayer before the Sacrament of the Altar, I feel obliged to urge parishes and other church groups to set aside times for collective adoration. Naturally, already existing forms of Eucharistic piety retain their full value. I am thinking, for example, of processions with the Blessed Sacrament, especially the traditional procession on the Solemnity ofCorpus Christi, the Forty Hours devotion, local, national and international Eucharistic Congresses, and other similar initiatives. If suitably updated and adapted to local circumstances, these forms of devotion are still worthy of being practised today. (195)
The Location of the Tabernacle
69. In considering the importance of eucharistic reservation and adoration, and reverence for the sacrament of Christ's sacrifice, the Synod of Bishops also discussed the question of the proper placement of the tabernacle in our churches. (196) The correct positioning of the tabernacle contributes to the recognition of Christ's real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore, the place where the eucharistic species are reserved, marked by a sanctuary lamp, should be readily visible to everyone entering the church. It is therefore necessary to take into account the building's architecture: in churches which do not have a Blessed Sacrament chapel, and where the high altar with its tabernacle is still in place, it is appropriate to continue to use this structure for the reservation and adoration of the Eucharist, taking care not to place the celebrant's chair in front of it. In new churches, it is good to position the Blessed Sacrament chapel close to the sanctuary; where this is not possible, it is preferable to locate the tabernacle in the sanctuary, in a sufficiently elevated place, at the centre of the apse area, or in another place where it will be equally conspicuous. Attention to these considerations will lend dignity to the tabernacle, which must always be cared for, also from an artistic standpoint. Obviously it is necessary to follow the provisions of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal in this regard. (197) In any event, final judgment on these matters belongs to the Diocesan Bishop.
QUOTES
“From Our Saints”
"If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and that Bread, Which is your God humbling and disguising Himself, will teach you humility.
If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this Bread; and you will learn generosity.
If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart.
If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperate.
If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow fervent.
Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make you pure and chaste,"
- St. Cyril of Alexandria
"By our little acts of charity
practiced in the shade
we convert souls far away,
we help missionaries,
we win for them abundant alms;
and by that means
build actual dwellings
spiritual and material
for our Eucharistic Lord."
- St. Therese of Lisieux
A STORY OF
THE GRACE OF GOD
By John Beutler
Parishioner, St. Mary Cathedral
Many people are not aware of the great graces available from adoring the true presence of Jesus during exposition of the Holy Eucharist. Many are not aware of the beauty and elegance of Holy Spirit Oratory. It is a unique treasure far surpassing most of the Eucharistic adoration chapels I have visited elsewhere.
This article begins with a story. It is a story of the grace of God and what I thought would be just an ordinary, short visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
I have two grand-daughters, ages 6 and 8. Their parents are not raising them in the Catholic Church (they are wonderful - please pray for all of them), but I usually get to take my grand-daughters to Mass once a month. Recently, we were driving past the Holy Spirit Oratory on a Saturday evening and I decided on the spur of the moment to stop with them for a visit, even though they had never been there before because I thought they were too young and restless for the quiet atmosphere of the perpetual adoration chapel.
From the time we stepped into the oratory, they were enthralled by the majesty and beauty of the remodeled chapel. They were in awe as they knelt down on separate kneelers to pray. They were quiet for a long time. They looked around and sat down for a while and then we left. They told me it was a really neat church. I explained what the chapel was for and how people go there at all times of the day and night to pray.
The next morning, I told them we were going to Mass at St. Mary Cathedral and they asked if we could go back to the Holy Spirit Oratory to go to Mass. They were disappointed when I told them there were no Masses at the Oratory because it is a place dedicated to quiet prayer.
In our lives, we are granted many blessings like this. We can start taking our children to adoration even before they are born, dedicating them to God and thanking Jesus for the gift of life. After they are born and when they are older and able to understand, we can tell them there are Eucharistic adoration chapels all over the world. When they are teens and throughout their lives, they can visit Jesus anytime and bathe in the rays of grace from the Son of God. It is one of the best places to experience His love and wisdom, and to find answers to the problems in our lives.
Bringing Children
to Christ
in Eucharistic Adoration
(The following are taken from The Real Presence: Adoration for the Young)
Father Antoine Thomas Develops a Program for Kids
PRINCEVILLE, Illinois, OCT. 5, 2004. Thanks to a French priest's vision and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, hundreds of children are engaging in Eucharistic adoration and experiencing the real presence of Christ.
Father Antoine Thomas, 46, a priest of the Congregation of St. John, has been working in youth ministry for 15 years and began leading children's holy hours more than 10 years ago.
Now he has started a program, Children of Hope, that helps others lead adoration for kids. ……………
Q: Why is it important for kids to engage in Eucharistic adoration?
Father Thomas: Jesus said, "Let the children come to me"; I think we had better obey and bring him the children.
Pope John Paul II said back in 1996: "I urge priests, religious and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of Eucharistic adoration and devotion. How will young people be able to know the Lord if they are not introduced to the mystery of his presence?
"[...] By learning the words of the prayer of the heart, they will be closer to the Lord, who will accompany them in their spiritual and human growth. ... All interior life needs silence and intimacy with Christ in order to develop.
"This gradual familiarity with the Lord will enable certain young people to be involved ... and to take a more active part in Mass; for young boys, to be near the altar is also a privileged opportunity to hear Christ's call to follow him more radically in the priestly ministry."
The Holy Father continues to stress this importance today.
What we learn as children will remain in us and help us to stay close to Jesus. Before young children have received their first holy Communion, Eucharistic adoration is a great way to help them receive Jesus in their heart through spiritual communion.
And afterward, it helps increase in them a desire for more frequent Communion. Hopefully during the teen years these same children will find in Jesus a best friend, strength and light. They also may be more disposed to hear and follow their vocation in life.
Q: What benefits have you seen from children spending time with our Eucharistic Lord?
Father Thomas: The children have a great excitement about being part of this kind of prayer group. They enjoy being at the feet of Jesus, resting under the loving gaze of he who is no longer hidden in the tabernacle. The children experience a pacification of body, mind and spirit.
They have a deeper desire to pray, are more attentive at Mass and have an unshakeable faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Q: How do you help kids understand adoration and get the most out of the experience? How do you keep them focused and engaged for an entire hour?
Father Thomas: None of us will ever fully understand this mystery. What we do with the children is to remind them of the love that Jesus has for all.
On the night before he died 2,000 years ago, driven by love and a desire for us not to forget, he chose this way, the Eucharist, to remain close to us in a more visible way. He chose this not out of necessity, but out of his infinite and merciful love.
They are reminded of the words of consecration and that Jesus gave this power to all priests. Once they realize they are spending time with Jesus they are thrilled to come each week; it is their time with him.
Parents are usually the ones who are worried at first about the children being bored. After attending a children's holy hour, they are amazed at how fast the time goes by.
One 6-year-old boy remarked at the end of his first hour, "Can we stay a little while longer, Mommy? I am not through talking to Jesus."
Another exclaimed, "I had the best talk with Jesus!"
Far from being bored, these little ones begin to feel that love which Jesus has for them. They come to understand they are important to him, and their prayers are heard and answered. ……….
To keep them focused, we developed a simple format, leading the children through prayer, Scripture, silence and songs.
It is truly an introduction to a contemplative way of life. We are trying to teach them to live in a spirit of adoration all through out their day as Mary did. The
format is only an aid, as the Holy Spirit is
the true guide for the leader.
…………..
Q: What can parents, parishes and schools do to encourage kids to attend adoration regularly?
Father Thomas: Parents, first and foremost, must bring them before Jesus and adore with them regularly. Make time either before or after school for a visit. Arrive early for Mass to visit Our Lord in the tabernacle for a few minutes. Stay after Mass, praying in thanksgiving together.
Many schools have begun adoration in anticipation of the Year of the Eucharist which begins this Oct. 10. For schools, we recommend a shorter format. It works well to bring the children in groups each half-hour all day long until all have had a turn.
For the parish, we recommend one hour weekly adoration for children ages 5 to 12. Younger siblings are welcome as long as they are able to sit still and the parents remain to supervise them.
There are three other things we can recommend to encourage the children.
First, read and share with them the "Letter to Children" written by Pope John Paul II. In (it he shares his thoughts on the importance of the prayers of children for the world.
Second is the story of Fatima. When the angel first appeared to the three shepherd children he prostrated himself and said, "My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you." He told the children to pray this way because the hearts of Jesus and Mary were attentive to them. This helps the children to realize how important their prayers are.
Third, share with them the sixth day of the Divine Mercy Novena.
On this day, Our Lord told St. Faustina: "Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in my mercy. These souls most closely resemble my heart. They strengthened me during my bitter agony. I saw them as earthly angels, who will keep vigil at my altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with my confidence."
In these words we see how these children today fulfill this. They are the angels keeping vigil at his altar. Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
By Anne Szostak
Parishioner, St. Peter
This is an informational piece to let you know about the books that are available for use in the Holy Spirit Oratory and the color coding that is being used for the various categories of books available for your use.
As already mentioned the books are color coded according to categories. For example there are books that feature saints’ writings or the story of a saint or prayer books, to mention a few categories.
On the side of the tall book shelf there is a chart showing what category the various colors stand for. You may find this helpful as you are considering what you would like to use during your time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
When you have finished using a book during your holy hour, please return it to the shelf with the same color coded books as the book you were using.
Sometimes it has happened that someone has used a book when they came to the Oratory. When they return the following week the book is no longer there for their use. Please do not remove the color coded books from the Oratory, so they are available for others’ use. If you have taken a book from the Oratory, please return it.
If you bring a book that is yours to use while you are at the Oratory, please don’t leave it on the shelves, as it may not be there when you return. There is limited space on the shelves, so any book not color coded will be removed. In addition, please do not leave magazines or religious items at the Oratory.
The purpose of the books being available is so all who come to spend time with Jesus may have quality materials to use while in the Oratory.
Thank you for coming to visit Jesus in the Oratory. He is always here waiting for you to come to be with Him.
AND MORE……
Cordial Reminders
***** KEEPING IN TOUCH!
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If you think you have not provided us with your updated contact number since you signed up, please contact the following Division Coordinators:
Rosie 321-2513 12 MN- 5 AM
Suanne 669-3585 6 AM – 11 AM
Anne 321-1044 12 Noon- 5 PM
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or Irma 669-6518. Thanks!
