Efforts being made to show the power of the Eucharist

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

Going to a movie.

Signing up for a holy hour.

Joining a procession.

Venerating relics and viewing an exhibit about eucharistic miracles inspired by a teenager about to be canonized.

These are among opportunities available to local Catholics in the next several days, as the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) is celebrated this weekend and as pilgrims travel from around the nation for the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21.

The revival began on Corpus Christi in 2022. Participants are to go forth from the congress “to share the Eucharistic love of the Lord ‘for the life of the world,’” according to the website eucharisticrevival.org.

“In joyful response to the three-year National Eucharistic Revival movement,” St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton is hosting Eucharistic activities, says the website stjohnsclinton.org/bl-carlo-acutis-exhibit-of-eucharistic-miracles.

The website promotes a Corpus Christi procession, a movie about the Eucharist being shown in theaters nationwide, and an exhibit, relics and talks the parish is hosting.

“We thought it would be good to give people ways to live this out,” after these activities, said parishioner Ornella Quinn, one of the organizers. “I think we would really like to promote adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. John’s.”

She also asked, “What is our call to action in the public square? ... We’ve encountered Jesus. Do we leave him there?” Her response is no; “there’s a call to mission.”

Also responding to the revival is Christ the King Parish, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester.

“We are planning events around the June 2 Feast of Corpus Christi to promote the Eucharistic Revival,” says the website ctkworc.org/40-hours-devotion. There is to be an opening Mass at 5 p.m. tonight, May 31, and 40 hours of eucharistic adoration, during which people take turns praying before the Blessed Sacrament for 40 hours. After the 9 a.m. Mass Sunday, a eucharistic procession on the parish grounds is to be held.

St. John’s eucharistic procession through the streets of Clinton Sunday starts at 3 p.m. at the church, 80 Union St.

The premiere of the movie, “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist,” is to be shown at 4 and 7 p.m. June 4-6, through Fathom Events, in theaters nationwide, including several in this area.

June 7-9 St. John’s is to host a traveling international exhibit of 100+ posters with photos of, and information about, Church-approved eucharistic miracles around the world from throughout the centuries. The information was collected from an online catalog designed by Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian devoted to the Eucharist, who died at age 15 in 2006.

On May 23 Pope Francis formally recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession, which paves the way for his canonization.

The exhibit and first-class relics of the patrons of the National Eucharistic Revival (Blessed Carlo Acutis and St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, who is called the bishop of the abandoned tabernacle) are to be available for individuals and groups to visit at St. John’s Gym, 149 Chestnut St.

The parish is also hosting talks about Blessed Carlo in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and a talk in English about St. Manuel. Children are to do skits about some of the eucharistic miracles and there are Masses and opportunities for confession.

On June 9 Hispanic parishioners are to process from the church to the gym for one of these talks, then back to church for Mass, said Marita Wallace, one of three “missionary ladies” who lead the Missionary Kids. She said the group is part of an international youth program called, in Spanish, Infancia y Adolescencia Misionera (in English, Missionary Childhood Association). St. John’s young Hispanics learn about the Sunday Gospel and are to take the Gospel to their homes and schools, praying and serving. The main goals are getting children to help other children, teaching them to love Jesus in the Eucharist and encouraging them bring their families to Mass.

For the June 9 procession, St. John’s Missionary Kids are to be given T-shirts depicting Blessed Carlo, their patron, as one of the symbols they receive for their commitment to the group’s work, Mrs. Wallace said.
 
They have been seeking Blessed Carlo’s intercession for a parishioner’s relative who has cancer. The sick child’s family took him to the teenager’s tomb in Assisi, Italy, to pray for a miracle.

Their prayers are “a great example of what this exhibit is all about ... putting faith into action ... praying for others,” said Theresa Hoggins, a St. John’s parishioner organizing the Eucharistic events.

Having been given an early showing of the movie “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist,” Bishop McManus said he “found the film very powerful,” the cinematography beautiful, the musical accompaniment appropriate and stirring.

“The film addresses in a theologically correct and understandable way issues touching upon the nature and effects of the Eucharist,” he said, citing the real presence, the relationship between faith and science in understanding eucharistic miracles, and adoration, being readily embraced by students and adults involved with FOCUS, which is present in “my diocese.”

Ending with the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s words about how his daily holy hour affected his preaching and teaching was “brilliant,” Bishop McManus said.

“When I finished viewing the film, I sat back and said, ‘This film will leave the audience in silence,’” he remarked. “How appropriate! Congratulations!”

In an interview with CNA published in March, Deacon Steve Greco, executive producer of the movie, and director of evangelization and faith formation for the Diocese of Orange, California, said he hopes viewers will know how much Jesus loves them, and go to Mass and adoration, and that this will result in an increase in vocations.

The film includes dialogue with notable Catholic figures, personal stories and words in Spanish about an adoration chapel with the world’s largest monstrance.

Airing after “Jesus Thirsts” is “Our Lady of Guadalupe: Woman of the Eucharist,” a 13-minute adjunctive film produced by the Knights of Columbus.

– Editor’s notes: For area showings of the movie and to buy tickets see: fathomevents.com/events/jesus-thirsts-the-miracle-of-the-eucharist

For a listing of Corpus Christi events happening in the diocese visit page 9 of this week’s e-edition.