Christ makes present in us through Eucharist

Catholic piety has dedicated entire months to specific devotions since the 16th century. The Church has always promoted heightened devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist throughout the month of April. This commemorates Jesus showing Himself in the flesh and blood while still appearing in the form of bread and wine. It is not a representation of Christ, but rather the true and living Jesus Christ! It is known as “transubstantiation,” and it refers to the change of the entire substance of bread into the substance of Christ’s body and the entire substance of wine into the substance of his blood. This change occurs in eucharistic prayer as a result of the power of Christ’s message and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus Himself, at the Last Supper, the last occasion of Jesus and His apostles assembled, before His crucifixion.

According to the Catholic Church’s Catechism, the Eucharist is “the source and summit of our faith (1324).” Our soul is in rapture at the time we receive the Eucharist because Christ is actually present in us. What we get is not only His body and blood, but His body sacrificed to the Father for us, and His blood poured forth in sacrifice for us and all, for the forgiveness of sins. Participation in the Eucharist and Holy Communion should result in us living like Christ, entirely committed to the Father and His will, completely dedicated to men and women and their salvation.

These are the ways Catholics celebrate the Month of the Holy Eucharist: first, they begin to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient prayer that presents a path to praying through the Book of Psalms throughout the year. Second, they recite the “Jesus Prayer” by repeating the phrase “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner,” until it brings them peace. Third, they read about the life of a saint and pray by his or her side. Many saints have their own prayers regarding the Eucharist. Fourth, they pour their heart directly to Jesus by telling Him all that comes to mind, as they listen for a response. And lastly, they pray the Rosary, and ask Mary to join them while they do so.

Finally, genuine Christian living requires participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice. One group of early Christian martyrs from Abythinia declared, when they were told not to gather for the Eucharist: “we cannot exist without the Sunday Eucharist.” (Bro. Ranie Boy Pamplona)