Dear Parishioners and Visitors:
As I write this, the National Eucharistic Congress is well underway in Indianapolis. While the focus of the Congress is on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, Pope Francis sees an added purpose of the convocation for all American Catholics: “The Eucharist impels us to a strong and committed love of neighbor, for we cannot truly understand or live the meaning of the Eucharist if our hearts are closed to our brothers and sisters, especially those who are poor, suffering, weary, or may have gone astray in life.” Here’s the “Corpus Christi Novena” prayer that offers us a remote seat at the Congress:
O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of Your redemption, who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Jesus, Lord of Creation, grant us the grace to offer ourselves, our works, and all creation in union with you to the Father.
Amen.
As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.” And today we can once again thank the Lord for the great gift of the Eucharist and for our faith community and visitors here at Saint Joseph’s.
With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney