We are blessed in the diocese by the presence of several
religious orders: the Benedictines, the notre dame sisters, the cloistered poor
clares, the fathers of saint joseph, the Mercedarians, the Ursuline sisters of course, who taught
in the school here at St. Clare. A mile and a half away, at St. Pascals, live
members of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation; several of our parishioners are
lay associates of the congregation. The Blessed Sacrament community was founded
by St. Peter Julian Eymard, 160 years ago.
St. Peter Julian Eymard was originally a diocesan priest. He
was ordained for the same diocese and was a close friend of St. John Vianney. A
few years after his ordination, Eymard joined the Marist order. As a Marist he
traveled throughout France promoting devotion to Mary and to the Eucharist,
particularly the Forty Hours Devotion, which many of our parishes in Cleveland
still maintain.
As he preached the Forty Hours Devotion, he felt his love of
the Eucharist grow. An extraordinary passion for the Blessed Sacrament took
root in his heart. After about 16 years with the Marists, Eymard founded the
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and a few years later co-founded the
Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a contemplative congregation for women.
All of the saints love Christ in the Eucharist. Though, many of the saints have been particularly
devoted. St. Clare, our own patron, is depicted holding the monstrance, as she
spent her life in quiet adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. "The Eucharist”,
he said, “is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is
nothing more but Heaven itself."
Many Christians, including many Catholics, are indifferent
to the Eucharist, to the great gift the Lord made of himself for the Church of
every age. We of course make reparation for their indifference, hoping that the
Lord will draw them to a great love of Jesus in the Eucharist. We should never
be afraid of sharing our love for the Eucharist, telling people about why the
Eucharist is important, who the Eucharist is.
“The Eucharist is the life” of the Church. It is the center
of our spiritual and liturgical life. People from every race or language can be
gathered here. It bonds the Christian family together. Here, where we all
become a guest of Jesus Christ.
Even we, who receive the Eucharist often, some of us daily, can
always grow in our openness to find our strength in the Eucharist, to be
nourished by the truth and wisdom of God in the Eucharist. For the Eucharist
not only strengthens for all of the trials and difficulties of the Christian
life, but inflames the fire of love we are to have for God and our neighbor.
We receive the Eucharist, St. Peter Julian said, in order “to
strengthen our trust in God, feed upon his truth, dedicate ourselves to his
glory as our sovereign love, love him in everything, everywhere, and above
everything.”
May our love and gratitude for the Eucharist grow in accord
with St. Peter Julian and all the Saints, may this divine banquet we celebrate
today prepare us for the eternal banquet of heaven for the glory of God and
salvation of souls.
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