August 4, 2017 - St. John Vianney and the Eucharist

To say that St. John Vianney had a deep love for the Eucharist is an understatement.  John Vianney would often be found lying prostrate on the floor or kneeling with outstretched hands in front of the blessed Sacrament. “"I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master”, the saint would say.

 The Cure’ knew that love for the Blessed Sacrament was a powerful means of renewing the heart of a parish.  He would wake up early and go to the blessed Sacrament to beg conversion for his parishioners.  He would encourage his parishioners to attend daily Mass.  He said, “when you think of going to Mass on working days, it is an impulse of the grace that God wills to grant you.  Follow it.”

We are blessed, here at St. Clare with an adoration chapel, that many of our parishioners have never even considered visiting. Encourage them, bring them. If you know of some stay-at-home parents who could come to daily mass, invite them to mass and a cup of coffee afterwards!

Time spent with the blessed Sacrament deepens our love for God. John Vianney even gave this advice: "When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: 'Behold, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love you, and to keep you company with all the Angels,' "

For John Vianney, the Eucharist was an encounter with the burning love of God.  He wrote, “Every consecrated host is made to burn itself up with love in a human heart.”  Consider that. Jesus’ heart burns with love for us, and he wants that burning love to become part of our own heart. When we kneel in front of the monstrance, we open our hearts to receive that grace, and when we receive the Eucharist, if we are open to it, we receive that transforming grace, we are changed to become more like Christ.

May this great saint, Patron of Priests, lover of the Eucharist, help deepen and receive our love of God, transforming our lukewarmness into great fervor and zeal for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That St. John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, may increase the faith, hope, charity and pastoral zeal of the priests of the Church, particularly those priests experiencing vocational crisis.

For a deeper love for and devotion to the Eucharist, for those who do not believe in the Real Presence, for the spread of the Eucharistic Reign of Christ in society.

That our young people on summer vacation may remain close to Jesus through prayer, attendance at Holy Mass with their families, repentance through Sacramental Confession, and faithfulness to all the teachings of Christ. We pray to the Lord.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster, war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.