We are already in the month of June — a month traditionally set aside to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Next weekend, we will celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord. The Heart of Jesus beats in His real presence in the Eucharist. This will also begin the local (parish) year of Eucharist Revival. We will have just ended the archdiocesan revival and begin our revival.

    The purpose of the year is to revive — bring back to life — our belief and reverence for the Body and Blood of the Lord. We know that at present, less than 30% of Catholics believe in The real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist! Most believe it is just some kind of symbol or memorial — in effect, a Protestant belief!! This is NOT the Catholic belief. WE believe that through the words of consecration said by the priest over the bread and wine at Mass — the bread and wine is changed (transubstantiation) into the real Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. It looks like bread, but it is NOT bread. It tastes looks and tastes like wine, but it is NOT wine. Bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. Jesus is really and truly present under the forms of bread and wine! Jesus remains with us. This is fundamental to our Catholic faith, and has been from the very beginning of the Church.

    Recently, when at Corpus Christi, I was looking at the beautiful angel holy water fountains at the entrance. I am not sure if any of you ever noticed, but those angels greet us with words of adoration for the Blessed Sacrament. On one is written the words, My Lord and My God; on the other one we read My Jesus Mercy. For those of us old enough to remember, even though Mass was celebrated with the priests back towards the people, at the elevation of the Sacred Host and the ringing of the bells, we would all say, My Lord and My God and at the elevation of the Chalice with the Precious Blood, we would all proclaim, My Jesus Mercy! A beautiful faith-driven practice, that called to mind our belief in the Eucharist. Many of you still maintain that practice — and I pray that you never lose it, but, in fact, it can come back to many of you again. At the elevation, to loudly pray the words My Lord and My God is to proclaim loudly and clearly we believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ! The complaint of the Sacred Heart is the indifference that so many Catholics show towards His love and real presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

    As we prepare to begin this revival next week, I ask you to please take part in the simple procession we will have around the outside of the Church and, with the message of the angels at Corpus Christi, let’s proclaim: My Lord and My God! My Jesus, Mercy!

    God bless you!
Fr. Pat