By Mary Lou Rosien
In June, we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. We focus on the very real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A few years ago, I was blessed to have this Feast day fall on my birthday. We chose that day for our son, Vladimir, to receive his First Holy Communion. It was an incredible and holy experience.
I have always been particularly drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. I love Adoration and most of my children seem to share this love. When they were little, we used to pray a Rosary on Friday’s (with a large group of moms and kids) in front of the Tabernacle. I guess they felt the comfort of Christ’s presence and they still do.
When my oldest daughter was born, my husband and I took her to church to present her to the Lord before we even took her home from the hospital. At twenty years old, she still runs to Jesus whenever she feels that her life is out of control or her problems to big to handle alone.
Recently though, I have had several moments of grace, when a new understanding of the Eucharist has entered my mind. I wrote about some of these things in my March CKH column, Why the Eucharist is Real. With your indulgence, dear reader, I’d like to share a little more.
After Mass one day, the priest invited us all to participate in Adoration for a little while. Almost everyone stayed. I looked around and realized that almost everyone one of us had received Communion. It occurred to me Christ was on the Altar in front of us and yet in us at the same time. It may sounds simplistic, but the more I pondered this miracle, the more amazed I became. He is truly everywhere, all the time!
My second experience came at a Youth 2000 rally this March. The priest processed with the Blessed Sacrament, stopping in front of each child there. It took a very long time, but I could actually see the young people being transformed in front of my eyes. Some cried, some laughed, some looked up longingly at Him and others buried their faces up against the priest, too overwhelmed to do anything at all. Anyone who doubts the true presence would have been convinced if they had witnessed those moments. It was completely humbling to see the way the young people responded to Jesus.
One last and very personal thought; I was struggling, but still joyful, so I went before my Lord in Adoration and knelt down. Suddenly, in the quiet, I heard my husband’s voice, “I knew I’d find you here,” He said softly. I could hear the gratitude in his voice, because he loves the Lord. My heart surged with love for the Lord and the husband he blessed me with, one who can see inside my very heart and share my faith.
Gentle reader; know that when I am before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration, I take you with me. I pray for your spiritual and physical well-being and for your intentions. Please remember me when you pray as well. Blessings.
Mary Lou Rosien writes from outside Rochester, NY. She is the author of Managing Stress with the Help of Your Catholic Faith (OSV) and, Catholic Family Boot Camp (Bezalel Books). Check out her website, or contact her at www.catholicfamilybootcamp.com.
Catholic Faith Resources | For Catholic Parishes | Order OSV Products | RSS | Advertise | About Us | Contact Us | Jobs Copyright © 1996-2013, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright information | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy