Missionary Discipleship is Rooted in Eucharist & Adoration

As I’ve mentioned previously, our diocese was blessed to have around 200 people attend the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this past July.  At the end of the Congress, we were faced with the question, “How do we become missionaries of the Eucharist?” Had we not asked that question then of the Congress’ some 60,000 people, as beautiful as it was, the momentum of the Congress simply would have come to an abrupt end, and it would have all ended. So, where is the fruit of the Congress? How can each of us, whether we attended or not, bear Eucharistic fruit and become missionaries of the Eucharist? 

First, each of us must be convinced of the gift and treasure that the Eucharist is for the Church: That the Eucharist is at the very heart of the Church’s existence. And that reality, that truth of the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, reserved and in every Tabernacle of a Catholic Church or Chapel or mission, sure bears a beautiful consequence in our daily living.  

I recall as a teenager, attending a meeting with my uncle in the local parish. As we drove down Grand Ave., we passed in front of St. Pius V Parish, and my uncle tipped his hat in the direction of the church. I thought maybe he saw something that I didn’t see, and so I asked him why he did that. He looked at me like I was a pagan and said, “The Blessed Sacrament is there in the Church.” Here was a man who believed in the Eucharistic presence of Christ and his behavior reflected that. His faith informed his behavior!    

For some, it would be the tip of a hat. Others may bless themselves as they walk in front of a church to acknowledge the presence of Christ. Do you know the hours when your parish is open? That becomes our great opportunity to stop by and make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Do you know the hours of Adoration that are offered in your church or a neighboring chapel?  

My parish up in St. Louis had adoration daily from 6 AM to 10 PM. In the course of the day, I would stop by the Adoration Chapel as many as 20 times a day to make a brief visit, as I was going back and forth from the rectory to the grade school or to the high school. What prayers did I use? I would very simply pray the Pardon Prayer of Fatima:

“My God I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love thee. I beg pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love thee.” 

Another favorite prayer of mine is called the Marian doxology, composed by Father Chaminade. It is part of the larger Three O’Clock Prayer, but it ends with the following verse: 

“May the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Amen.” 

Do you have your own favorite prayer to say before the Blessed Sacrament? If not, put that on your “To Do List” this Advent, which begins Sun., Dec. 1.

 O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.”

Published in the November 22, 2024 issue of The Mirror.
Photo Credit: 
 (The Mirror)

 

 

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