Homily: August 2 2016 - St. Peter Julian Eymard - Love of the Eucharist

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.