WHAT CHASES AWAY THE DEVIL?

THE REAL PRESENCE

A man doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, until he saw this.

St. Anthony of Padua lived during the 13th century and possessed a great zeal for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. One day Saint Anthony heard of a man in Rimini named named Bononillo who did not share the same belief. In fact, Bononillo openly mocked people who believed that Jesus was truly present under the appearances of bread and wine.

St. Anthony tried his hardest to convince Bononillo with the proofs of scripture and argument, but discovered that the man was as stubborn as a mule.

Then St. Anthony received an inspiration. He challenged the wealthy merchant, “If the mule you ride adored the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, would you believe in the truth of the Blessed Sacrament?” Bononillo agreed, but decided to raise the stakes. Bononillo would starve his mule for three days and then bring it to the town square. Saint Anthony would bring the Blessed Sacrament to that same square. The mule then would be put in front of a pile of hay and St. Anthony would stand a few yards away with the Blessed Sacrament. What happened next would decide the victor.

To prepare for the event, St. Anthony fasted for three days, and Bononillo in turn told everyone in the town. Bononillo was convinced that the mule would think nothing of the Eucharist and ravenously eat the pile of hay.

On the day of the test, Bononillo brought his mule and placed the hay under the mule’s nose. St. Anthony came and stood a distance away with the Holy Eucharist. Defying all odds, the mule turned his head and walked over to Saint Anthony. When the mule was close, the animal bent his front legs and kneeled in adoration! When Bononillo saw this miraculous change of events, he immediately knelt down and professed his belief in the truth of the Real Presence.

What this short story tells us is that Eucharistic presence of Jesus is something miraculous and supernatural. It is a gift that Jesus gave to his Church, one that reason alone cannot explain. Faith is required to hold to such a fantastic belief. It reminds us that what we witness each Sunday (and every day) is beyond our understanding.

The Catechism affirms this fact and declares, “That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’ For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my body which is given for you.’), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie'” (CCC 1381).

St. John Vianney put it perfectly, “If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.”

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

The Eucharist: sun of his life!

To find the strength he needed, Bl Edward Poppe spent a great deal of time before the Tabernacle.
Sometimes he sighed, “Oh, Jesus, how little men love You! At least, the two of us love each other.” 
On the eve of All Saints’ Day, after a long day of confessions,
a friend found him close to the Blessed Sacrament:
‘Edward, what are you doing there?”—
“Oh! I’m not doing anything, I’m just keeping Our Lord company.

I am too tired to talk to Him,

but I’m resting next to Him.”

HOLY EUCHARIST

HOLY EUCHARIST

HOLY COMMUNION

WOULD YOU LEAVE HIM WAITING

WOULD YOU LEAVE HIM WAITING?

EUCHARIST

THE HOLY EUCHARIST SAYS IT ALL

O LORD MY HEART IS RESTLESS UNTIL IT RESTS IN YOU.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

 

"The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak."

 

— Pope Francis

PARTICIPATION IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

 

10 STEPS TO A JOYFUL MASS:

1. Make your genuflection or bow a real act of adoration.

2. Sing the songs even if you’re not a good singer. God will love your effort.

3. Try to find one thing in the readings from scripture that will apply to you - here and now.

4. Try to get at least one good thought from the homily by listening well.

5. Make your donation to your parish as a conscious act of yourself and your work to God.

6. Look for the beauty in the Eucharistic prayer - it’s there.

7. Say the Lord’s Prayer firmly and loud.

8. Make Holy Communion a real meeting with Our Lord and real joining with others in His love.

9. Stay and join in singing the recessional song - remember who left the Last Supper early.

10. Smile and say hello to someone when you leave the church.