Dear Friends,
At the beginning of my involvement with the Eucharistic Revival, I was gifted several books on the Eucharist, including The Eucharistic Miracles of the World. This book is a fascinating account of all the approved Eucharistic miracles from Lanciano until the present. In many instances, these miracles, which have been approved by ecclesiastical authorities and validated by the medical community, describe instances in which the Host has taken on the appearance of living flesh. More specifically, living myocardium tissue, that is, heart tissue.
In the case of Lanciano, the visible transformation of the consecrated species into human flesh was in response to the doubts of a priest about the Real Presence. Declining belief in the Real Presence, as indicated in the 2019 Pew Study, was a catalyst for the Eucharistic Revival. This study reported that less than 1/3 of Catholics believed that the Eucharist was the actual Body and Blood of Jesus. The subsequent Vinea study in 2022 reported that 69% of Mass-attending Catholics now believe in the Real Presence. How appropriate that during February, when loved ones are gifted with candy hearts, Jesus chose to gift us with His Heart. And not only during February but at every Eucharistic Liturgy.
In a few short weeks, we will begin the Season of Lent. The Eucharistic Congress/Eucharistic Revival committee has developed an 8-part video series to guide us on our Lenten journey. This series, produced by the Augustine Institute, aims to help participants develop a deep interior life of prayer so we can better hear God’s voice.
In this series, The Heart of Prayer, hosted by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, you will be presented with the tools and skills to develop this interior life and encounter God more deeply. This video series will be featured on the Manna website. Please consider using the series this Lenten season to draw closer to Jesus. The series begins on Ash Wednesday and can be used by individuals and small groups alike. Other Lenten resources can be found on Manna and on the Eucharistic Congress website: https://manna.eucharisticcongress.org/
A blessed and grace-filled Lent to you and your families!
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN
