The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the doctrine that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, not merely symbolically or metaphorically but sacramentally. 

The Roman Catholic Church, that is, the Latin Rite Catholic Church, and other Catholic Churches in communion with Rome believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity. The Orthodox Churches and most other Churches of the East do so as well.

All the sacraments in the Catholic Church are sacred and special, but the sacrament of the Eucharist is known as the Blessed Sacrament for a reason. Through the eternal love and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, it beautifully unites us with Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ in a way that nothing else – and nobody else – on this earth can.

Saint Faustina, who was known for sharing Christ’s message of Divine Mercy with the world, wrote about her deep love and devotion to the holy Eucharist on various occasions. “I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament,” the saint once wrote. “I adore You for all the works of Your hands that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed Your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my soul recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration.”

The Year of the Eucharist – 2022 – is meant to increase our awareness of the true meaning of the “real presence.” Catholics do not believe that the consecrated host is a reminder or a symbol. 

We believe it is Jesus himself.
 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

In January, Bishop Sweeney declared the celebration of the Year of the Eucharist in our diocese.  As we seek His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, let us thank Jesus for the blessing of His gift to us of the Holy Eucharist, given on Holy Thursday, and His continued Presence in the Tabernacle and at every Mass, which He promised us as He ascended into Heaven on Ascension Thursday.

Adoration will begin on Friday, April 1st immediately following the Stations of the Cross (approximately 8-8:15PM) and continue until 8:00 AM on Sat., April 2nd. There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Please leave your name and phone number so that we can confirm your scheduled time and contact you with the details.  When you   enter the chapel, please sign in.  If someone is having difficulty entering and knocks to be admitted, PLEASE  have them identify themselves, and check the sign-in sheet to see if their name is on it BEFORE opening the door. For the safety of those in the chapel, NO ONE is permitted in the chapel if they have not previously signed up for Adoration  Please wear a mask during Adoration if you have NOT been vaccinated, or if you prefer to do so.

We will also be continuing our Novena of 9 First Saturday Masses for our Country and around the world. This will be held on Sat., April 2nd at 11:00 AM and will be followed by the Patriotic Rosary.