A popular collectible in the 70’s and 80’s was the Precious Moments figurines. Many included a Scripture passage and were sold to commemorate important and not-so-important milestones (“precious moments”) on life’s journey. We recently celebrated the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, whose “Little Way” made spirituality accessible to millions of people. Her desire to love God in simplicity strongly influenced the lives and ministries of numerous saints, including Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who became a living Tabernacle, bringing Jesus to the abandoned and dying. Both Saint Therese and Saint Teresa accomplished God’s plan for them by participating in THE Precious Moment – spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint John Paul II’s papal motto – Totus Tuus (totally yours) – is well known and describes Jesus’ gift to us in the Eucharist. St. John Bosco, a patron of youth, observed that if we want to receive many graces, we need to visit the Blessed Sacrament often. Newly minted Saint Carlo Acutis noted that those who spend time in the sun will get a tan, and those who spend time before the Blessed Sacrament become saints.
The Eucharistic Revival is ongoing. It did not conclude last summer with the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, nor this year’s pilgrimage to Los Angeles for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Eucharistic-centered events continue to occur throughout the United States.
Locally, families joined our Sisters at our Provincialate in Des Plaines, IL, a suburb of Chicago, for a special Holy Hour for families on September 26. All were invited to come and obtain the graces of Eucharistic Adoration in a family-friendly environment that included songs, prayers, and activities.
Many dioceses and parishes have expanded opportunities for Eucharistic-centered events. Most recently, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL, under the leadership of Bishop Gregory Parkes, sponsored Eucharistic Encounter 2025 at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL. The one-day event, attended by over 10,000 participants and televised on EWTN, featured noted Catholic speakers Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sister Bethany Madonna, and Dr. Edward Sri, as well as musicians Matt Maher and Ricky Vasquez.
On Sunday, October 5, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will celebrate the 25th anniversary of St. Katherine Drexel’s canonization. The Philadelphia-born saint founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and corresponded with our own Mother Foundress. The centrality of the Eucharist to both congregations is well known. Our Mother Foundress ensured that every Nazareth convent had a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved. It is the Blessed Sacrament that energizes our religious life.
The powerful moments we experience through the Blessed Sacrament are ongoing. To support us in these ongoing Eucharistic-centered activities, the National Eucharistic Congress organization has developed the Manna streaming platform, which contains podcasts, videos, and other resources. You can check out this treasure trove of Catholic wisdom at www.eucharisticcongress.org
Let us pray for the increased success of the Eucharistic Congress movement and an increase in devotion to the Holy Eucharist. May God bless you and your families as we journey together on mission.
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN
