The Eucharist (See adoration calendar below)

June 9, 2023

By Father Thiago Ibiapina 
associate pastor, Annunciation Parish, Gardner 
Special to The Catholic Free Press
 
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, often called Corpus Christi. On this feast we give special attention to Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, sometimes adding outdoor eucharistic processions at the end of Mass. Last year on this feast day, the Catholic Church in the United States began its three-year National Eucharistic Revival.
The Eucharist should always be central to our lives; it is the “source and summit” of life in the Church. Mass is offered every day of the year (except Good Friday, when a liturgy with Scripture readings and distribution of Communion is held instead). Catholics are obliged to attend Mass weekly and are encouraged to attend more often.
From Scripture we learn about setting aside a day each week specifically to worship God: “Remember to keep holy the sabbath day. Six days you may labor … but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord.” (Ex 20:8-10) 
Genesis 2:3 explains why: “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.” In Hebrew, sabbath refers to rest. Observing this day gave the Jewish people a regular rhythm of life, with traditions that emphasized abstinence from work and physical activities. 
Christians inherited from the Jews this interrupting of secular activities to give a day entirely to God. The Westminster Confession of Faith (initially published in 1646), which has influenced our brothers and sisters in some other Christian traditions, says that God specifically designated one day in seven to be a sabbath, which he sanctified. From the beginning of the world until Christ’s resurrection, that day was the last of the week. From the Resurrection onward, it was changed to the first day of the week, a day called the Lord’s Day. 
In the Old Testament, the people of God kept the sabbath on the last day of the week because of the work of creation. From New Testament times to our own day, Christians observe the first day of the week because of the work of redemption; when Jesus completed his work of salvation, rising from the dead on Sunday, he rested from that work. Thus, on Sunday, we Christians can celebrate God the creator and sustainer, and God the Savior, who has given himself for us. 
A description of how early Christians celebrated this day comes to us from an account by St. Justin Martyr in about 155 A.D.: On the day of the sun, all those of us who live in cities or fields gather in the same place. … When the prayer is finished, bread, wine, and water are brought. We all meet on the day of the sun because it is the first day, the day on which God transformed the darkness and matter to create the world, and because Jesus Christ the Savior rose from the dead that very day.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, speaking about the early Christians, quotes Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. … Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts.” (#1342)
The Catechism continues: “It was above all on ‘the first day of the week,’ Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, that the Christians met ‘to break bread.’ From that time on down to our own day the celebration of the Eucharist has been continued so that today we encounter it everywhere in the Church with the same fundamental structure. It remains the center of the Church’s life.” (#1343)
From this tradition, the Catechism specifies how Catholics are to participate in the celebration: “The Church obliges the faithful ‘to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days’ and, prepared by the sacrament of reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible, during the Easter season. But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.” (#1389)
To fulfill this obligation, Catholics can attend the Lord’s Day Mass on Saturday evening. Attending weekday Masses is an extra blessing; it does not fulfill the Sunday obligation. 
So, the sabbath on the seventh day has not been canceled, but transferred to the first day of the week. The day changes; the principle does not. We work six days; we rest one day. Not just any day we choose, but one that reminds us of the salvation Christ has achieved for us. Therefore, it is a day not just of worship and rest, but also one of sanctification and hope.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord – this Sunday and every Sunday, and any other day we can.
 

• NORTHBOROUGH: St. Bernadette, 266 Main St., holds perpetual adoration in its chapel.

• CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady, 80 Union St., holds eucharistic adoration 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m-6 p.m. Friday, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, lower level of the church.

• WEBSTER: Sacred Heart of Jesus holds perpetual adoration in the Emmaus Ministry Center, 17 E. Main St. Door is locked 9 p.m.-6 a.m., scheduled adorers only. Contact Jeanne Guerin 508-208-9064.  

• WESTMINSTER: St. Edward the Confessor,10 Church St., will hold eucharistic adoration 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays in October.  

• DUDLEY: St. Andrew Bobola, 54 West Main St., holds a Holy Hour of eucharistic adoration, 3 p.m. Sunday.

• SOUTHBOROUGH: St. Anne, 20 Boston Road, holds eucharistic adoration 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 

• WORCESTER: Our Lady of Vilna, 151 Sterling St., holds adoration 11:15 a.m. first Sunday of the month.

• FITCHBURG: St. Bernard Parish holds eucharistic adoration 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, and 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, in St. Camillus de Lellis Church, 333 Mechanic St.

• ATHOL: Our Lady Immaculate, 244 School St., holds a Holy Hour 2-3 p.m. Tuesday in the main church.

•  BARRE: St. Francis of Assisi Parish will hold adoration 6-7 p.m., Tuesdays through the start of Advent, at St. Joseph Chapel, 29 South St. 

• BOYLSTON: St. Mary of the Hills, 630 Cross St., holds eucharistic adoration 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday.

• CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady, 80 Union St., holds eucharistic adoration 7:30 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m-6 p.m. Friday, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, lower level of the church.

• FITCHBURG: St. Bernard holds eucharistic adoration 8:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday, and 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, in St. Camillus de Lellis Church, 333 Mechanic St. 

• LEOMINSTER: St. Anna, 194 Lancaster St., holds eucharistic adoration after 7:30 a.m. Mass, 8-10 a.m. Tuesday.  

• SHREWSBURY: St. Mary, 640 Main St., holds eucharistic adoration 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the church.

• UPTON:  St. Gabriel the Archangel, 151 Mendon St., holds adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and 9 -11:30 a.m. First Friday.

• WEST WARREN: St. Stanislaus, 2274 Main St., holds adoration 5-8 p.m. Tuesday.

• WESTBOROUGH: St. Luke the Evangelist, 70 W. Main St., holds exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tuesday, concluding with Benediction.

• CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady, 80 Union St., holds eucharistic adoration 7:30 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m- 6 p.m. Friday, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, lower level of the church.

• DOUGLAS: St. Denis, 27 Manchaug St., will hold a day of prayer and adoration       9 a.m.- 7 p.m., on the first Wednesday of the month, with Benediction at 6:45 p.m. Sign up at saintdenischurch.com. 

• GARDNER: Annunciation Parish will hold eucharistic adoration in its Adoration Chapel located in the new Holy Rosary Parish Center, 142 Regan St.,  6 a.m.- 8 p.m. Wednesday. Adorers are asked to use the marked door at the back of the convent to enter. Visit annunciationgardner.org/eucharistic-adoration or call 508-341-9132 to register for an hour.

• NORTHBOROUGH: St. Rose of Lima, 244 W. Main St., holds a Holy Hour of adoration 7-8 p.m. Wednesday.

• NORTHBRIDGE: St. Peter, 39 Church Ave., holds eucharistic adoration and Benediction 6:20 p.m., on the following Wednesdays: Oct. 18, Nov. 29 and Dec. 20.

• SOUTHBOROUGH: St. Anne, 20 Boston Road, holds eucharistic adoration after the 9 a.m. Mass Wednesday until 6 p.m. 

• SUTTON: St. Mark, 356 Boston Road, holds eucharistic adoration after the 9 a.m. Mass the first Wednesday of the month, until 8 p.m., concluding with the rosary led by the Knights of Columbus. 

• UXBRIDGE: St. Mary, 77 Mendon St., holds adoration 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, in the church. 

• WEST BOYLSTON: Our Lady of Good Counsel, 111 Worcester St., holds eucharistic adoration 3-7 p.m., Wednesday. Enter through the side door.

• WORCESTER: St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln St., holds adoration (after 9 a.m. Mass) 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Benediction, Wednesday. All are invited.

• WORCESTER: The African community of St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln St., holds adoration 7-9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month. All are invited. 

• CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady, 80 Union St., holds eucharistic adoration 7:30 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m- 6 p.m. Friday, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, lower level of the church.

• GARDNER: Annunciation Parish will hold eucharistic adoration in its Adoration Chapel located in the new Holy Rosary Parish Center, 142 Regan St.,  8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Thursday. Adorers are asked to use the marked door at the back of the convent to enter. Visit annunciationgardner.org/eucharistic-adoration or call 508-341-9132 to register for an hour.

• SOUTH GRAFTON: Our Lady of Hope Parish holds eucharistic adoration 3-7 p.m. Thursday in St. James Church, 89 Main St. 

• SOUTHBRIDGE: St. John Paul II Parish holds eucharistic adoration after the 8:45 a.m. Mass, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday in St. Mary Church, 247 Hamilton St. 

• WORCESTER: St. Bernard Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish, 228 Lincoln St., holds adoration on the first Thursday of the month following the 8:15 a.m. Mass - 6:45 p.m. 

• WORCESTER: St. George, 38 Brattle St., holds adoration 6-7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month and after the 8 a.m. Mass until 10 a.m. on First Friday

• WORCESTER: The African community of St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, 5 Spaulding St., holds adoration 7-8:30 p.m., on the first Thursday of the month. All are invited.

• WORCESTER: Our Lady of Czestochowa, 34 Ward St., holds a Holy Hour for vocations (adoration) 7-8 p.m., on the first Thursday of the month. 

• ASHBURNHAM: St. Denis, 85 Main St., holds adoration 7-8 p.m. First Fridays.

• AUBURN: North American Martyrs, 8 Wyoma Dr., holds adoration after 7 a.m. Mass-10 a.m. Benediction on First Friday.

• BLACKSTONE: Divine Mercy Parish holds adoration in St. Paul Church, 48 St. Paul St., after the 6:30 p.m. Mass on Friday.

• CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady, 80 Union St., holds eucharistic adoration 7:30 a.m- 6 p.m. Friday, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, lower level of the church.

• GARDNER: Annunciation Parish will hold eucharistic adoration in its Adoration Chapel located in the new Holy Rosary Parish Center, 142 Regan St.,  8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Friday. Adorers are asked to use the marked door at the back of the convent to enter. Visit annunciationgardner.org/eucharistic-adoration or call 508-341-9132 to register for an hour.

• LEOMINSTER: St. Cecilia, 180 Mechanic St., holds adoration 9:30 a.m. -noon Friday.

• UPTON: St. Gabriel the Archangel, 151 Mendon St., holds adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9-11:30 a.m. First Friday.

• WEBSTER: St. Joseph, 53 Whitcomb St., holds First Friday adoration 7 a.m.- 3 p.m., adoration and confession 6-6:40 p.m. followed by Mass (Polish) at 7 p.m. 

• WORCESTER: Sacred Heart-St. Catherine of Sweden, 596 Cambridge St., holds adoration 9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. First Friday. 

• WORCESTER: St. Paul Cathedral, 15 Chatham St., holds adoration 1- 6:30 p.m. Friday.

• WORCESTER: St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln St., holds adoration 2-3 p.m. Friday. 

• WORCESTER: Our Lady of Czestochowa, 34 Ward St., holds adoration 3-6:30 p.m. Friday, starting with Divine Mercy chaplet and followed by Mass in Polish.

• WORCESTER: Our Lady of Vilna, 151 Sterling St., holds adoration 6:30 p.m. Fridays.  

• WORCESTER: St. George, 38 Brattle St., holds adoration after the 8 a.m. Mass until 10 a.m. First Friday.

• WORCESTER: Immaculate Conception, 353 Grove St., hosts the diocesan Holy Hour for priests 7 p.m. on the second Friday of the month. 

• SPENCER: Mary, Queen of the Rosary, 7 Church St., holds eucharistic adoration after 8 a.m. Mass on First Saturday, until Benediction at noon. 

• WORCESTER: Our Lady of Mercy, 341 June St., holds adoration, confession and a program at 3 p.m. followed by Mass at 4 p.m. First Saturday. 

• WORCESTER: St. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln St., holds adoración, rosario y Misa de Sanació, (adoration, rosary and healing Mass) 9 a.m.- noon, First Saturday.