His Amazing Grace

1945 U.S. Marines receive Communion from a Marine chaplain on Iwo Jima. 

On War: Joe Rosenthal and Iwo Jima, War pics

My friend shared this photo on her Facebook yesterday saying it was so beautiful, and I have to agree. As a Catholic sometimes I feel it's difficult to explain the indescribable love I receive from Communion, the Eucharist, to a non-Catholic. The Church teaches that Christ is truly present; His real body, blood, soul and divinity in the bread and wine offered daily at Mass. It's not just a symbol. The Early Church Fathers and Early Christians believed this, and this teaching has remained through today. Christ desires to be One with us, and through receiving Him in Communion we do become One.
A mystery of Faith...so thankful for His Amazing Grace.

 In Holy Communion we live the words of Jesus who said, "Abide in Me and I in you." (John 15:4) With Jesus abiding in us we have the strength to do good and avoid evil, and to help others to do the same. The Eucharist is to the Church what our heart is to our body. The Eucharist keeps the Church alive. The Eucharist is the heart of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Those persons baptized into the mystical Body of Christ can receive Communion daily, it is offered in every Catholic Church around the world, every day. Priests can also bring the Eucharist to those in need, those suffering, those nearing death. I bet these Marines in this photo were SO thankful to receive Christ at a time of utter chaos, despair and terror. I know the grace they received brought them comfort and strength.

Here are some beautiful quotes about the Eucharist...

"In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering." Pope Benedict XVI 

 "What does the poor man do at the rich man’s door, the sick man in the presence of his physician, the thirsty man at a limpid stream? What they do, I do before the Eucharistic God. I pray. I adore. I love." St. Francis of Assisi 

"Unless we believe and see Jesus in the appearance of bread on the altar, we will not be able to see him in the distressing disguise of the poor." Mother Teresa 

"The Blessed Eucharist is the perfect Sacrament of the Lord’s Passion, since It contains Christ Himself and his Passion." St. Thomas Aquinas 

 "When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other." St. John Vianney 

 "Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my eyes, speaks through my words, works through my hands, walks with my feet and loves with my heart." St. Teresa of Avila 

 "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." St. Maximilian Kolbe 

"With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind." Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Saints = Explanations of the Gospel

The kids and I went to Mass this evening (Stephen is working) as today is the feast day for All Saints. In the priest's homily he said something that makes perfect sense, "Saints are Explanations of the Gospel". Not only the inspiring words they may have said or written, but their exemplary model lives lived out for Christ: give love & charity to the poor, meek & humble, hunger & thirst after righteousness. If the Saints were asked: "Why are you in Heaven?" they would answer: "For having listened to the Holy Spirit." - St. John Vianney. 

Yesterday we had CCD class and I was throwing an All Hallows Eve party for my students and teaching them about the Communion of Saints. Hallow is the same word for "holy" that we find in the Lord's Prayer (Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.), and e'en is a contraction of "evening." The word Halloween itself is a shortened form of "All Hallows Eve," the day before All Saints Day. I taught the students about our belief in the Communion of Saints. There are over 10,000 named Saints. The Catholic Church teaches that it does not, in fact, make or create anyone a saint. Rather, it recognizes a saint. Of course there are many unknown to us and the Church. "A saint is always someone through whom we catch a glimpse of what God is like -- and of what we are called to be. Only God 'makes' saints, of course. The Church merely identifies from time to time a few of these for emulation. The church then tells the story." 

click on photo to enlarge

So in class before we ate our party food the students made this Heavenly Family poster (I made the example above using 20 Saints from Happy Saints). I asked my students if any of them have ever been asked by their parents or someone close to them if they could pray for someone sick or hurt. They all rose their hands. :) I explained that is great, because we can all intercede for one another in prayer: For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20. Next I reminded them what they all learned several weeks ago about when we say the Hail Mary, what are we asking Mary to do for us? The students all answered, "pray for us sinners!" :) I have such great students! So I asked them, if these Saints that the Church has named are in Heaven like Mary and with God, do you think we could ask them to pray for us too? They all agreed, "yes, of course!". 

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1. 

While they ate their party food, I read them stories about 4 different Saints. They were all "wowed" and inspired. I could see the wheels turning in their precious little heads, and several of them told me the lesson or encouragement learned about what these Saints went through and did. It was awesome.

Saintly Quotes

In honor of All Saints Day...

"Preach the gospel daily, and if necessary, use words." St. Francis of Assisi

"We cannot be sure whether we are loving God, although we may have good reason for believing that we are. But we can know quite well whether we are loving our neighbor." St. Teresa of Avila

"God created us to praise, reverence and serve God and in this way to save our souls. God created all of the rest of creation to help us achieve the purpose for which God created us." St. Ignatius

"Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life." St. Basil the Great

"To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail." Pope St. Gregory the Great

"Christ has made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom the Angels serve." St. Agnes

"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection." Pope St. Gregory the Great

"First let a little love find entrance into their hearts, and the rest will follow." St. Philip Neri

"In everything, whether it is a thing sensed or a thing known, God Himself is hidden within." St. Bonaventure

"You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It never was between you and them anyway." Blessed Mother Teresa

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." Blessed Mother Teresa