I have been following the Eucharistic Congress Pilgrimage online.  I am amazed at the places they have visited along their four directional routes: churches, nursing homes, schools, homeless shelters, and even Folsom State Prison in California, the state where I live…Wow!  I am humbled by the thousands of people that are meeting the pilgrims with the Eucharist along the way.  I met the Serra Route pilgrims with the Eucharist in Incline Village in Lake Tahoe over Memorial Day Weekend. The pilgrims, with the Bishop of Sacramento, traveled by boat across the lake from South Shore to Incline Village on the north shore on a cold and windy evening. That evening, the lake had large white capped swells and the wind was whipping from multiple directions.  The pilgrims made it safely to the north shore but were cold and clearly affected by the tumultuous waves.  But out from the boat, held high and victorious, emerged the large monstrance with the Body of Christ!  The vision reminded me of the Gospel story of Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33).  It was a similar evening on a lake, with strong winds and large waves.  The disciples were attempting to cross the lake where they would meet Jesus, but the wind and waves were so strong their efforts in rowing would not gain them distance.  An apparition on the water appeared to them in the distance, which frightened them greatly; they thought it was a ghost.  But they eventually recognized it was Jesus who was walking on the surface of the water toward them.  Jesus sensed their fear and said to them, “Take courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”

Words to live by…

Once Jesus was inside the boat with the disciples, He rebuked the wind, whereupon calm immediately fell upon the lake. The pilgrims crossing Lake Tahoe may have recalled this Gospel story too while they crossed the stormy water that evening, praying to God for their safe journey to the other side of the lake with the Body of Christ.

I participated in the pilgrimage visit at Incline Village by myself.  I was joined by at least 200 Catholics I did not know, and furthermore, I was told that earlier that day the pilgrimage was met in South Shore by approximately 500 waiting Catholics.  These faith-filled Catholics were from all over California and Nevada.  While waiting for the boat to arrive, which was late due to the extreme conditions, I met and spoke with many excited people who were eager to set their eyes on the Eucharist and adore it in this historic moment.  I was humbled by the gathering of Catholics of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, who gathered for one reason: to meet Christ and honor his journey and presence in this unique circumstance in Nevada.  I pondered greatly the word “community.”  I was by myself without my church community, nor my immediate or extended family, nor any of my friends.  I was there because Christ called me to come and meet Him there.  And there, high in the Sierra mountains, I met him with the greater Body of Christ, the Catholic community from this corner of the world!  I was humbled as I gazed at their faces; all were joyous with being united with Christ!  

I joined the procession of pilgrims, led by the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Incline Village, who carried the monstrance under the processional canopy, surrounded by numerous altar servers carrying glowing lights.  The Bishop of Sacramento followed close behind. At dusk, we hiked up a long hill under the pine trees to the church, singing praise to our Lord, whereupon we entered the church and gathered around the Eucharist. We sang, prayed, and adored the Body of Christ.  It was truly a grace-filled and glorious evening.

During Covid in 2020, for long months we were unable to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ at our Catholic churches.  For several months, we could not even attend in-person Mass.  We were quarantined at home with the individuals we lived with, those in our pods, or those most intimate with our lives.  I recall saying frequently, “I am hungry for the Body of Christ!”  Never in my lifetime, and I assume yours too, have I been denied the Body and Blood of Christ. It was just there, always, at Mass on Sunday.  I have attended Mass throughout my life, but not every Sunday.  But, as I write these words, it occurs to me now, that in all the years leading up to Covid, I took for granted that the Eucharist would be waiting at Mass for me to arrive at church, take my seat, participate in the Mass, and file up the center aisle to receive the Host.  I ask myself now, “Did I take the Body of Christ seriously…or serious enough?”  I am ashamed to write these pondering words.  In the fall of 2020, after seven months without the Eucharist, we were finally able to attend in-person Mass outdoors in my diocese.  I remember sitting by the 5th grade classrooms where my son attended the Catholic elementary school adjacent to our parish church.  There were leaves blowing everywhere, dirt collecting in the areas around us, and a simple altar table with a cloth and candles.  We sat in the chairs from the classrooms or on the lunch picnic tables.  It was beyond humble, yet it was perfect.  I could not wait to receive the Body of Christ.  I cried when I consumed the Host.  I had waited a long time for my soul to be reunited and consumed by Jesus Christ.   What pure love. 

I think now of the persecuted Catholics around the world that are denied worshiping God and receiving the Eucharist.  To this day, there are Catholics that die defending their faith.  These same Catholics would give anything to experience the religious freedom that is granted to me each day, and yet, I took for granted that Christ would always be there waiting for me.  Why did I take this gift, freedom, and invitation from Christ for granted before Covid?

Something inside of me has awakened since 2020.  Praise God!  The concept of the Eucharist being the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ had been in my head always; it just was not in my heart.  Once I was denied the Eucharist, my soul ached for the Body of Christ, and my brain recognized it.  The Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit, are the essential lifelines for my soul to God, and I had never really internalized this before Covid.  Now I can feel the Eucharist working in me, teaching me, guiding me, loving me into a new heart and being.

Once the churches were finally open in 2021, I made my way, during the quiet of the day, into my church to sit in adoration at the tabernacle of our Lord.  I had never attended Eucharistic Adoration before; He had been waiting more than 2000 years for me.  As we all had during Covid, I had much weighing on my heart and mind.  I remember entering the empty church, where I stood before the tabernacle, and just sobbed.  In my solitude in the church, I spoke out loud to Christ in the tabernacle, where the words of my woundedness poured out. I would eventually complete what I had to say and then I would fall into silence and my soul would listen.  I always left these times with Christ in the tabernacle in complete peace.  Christ had loved me right where I needed His love, and soothed and began to heal my wounded heart. Praise God!

Jesus has called me to serve Him now, and our community, in attending to the Eucharist.  Christ asked me to be a Eucharistic Minister in the fall of 2021.  I love being a Eucharistic Minister! I serve at Mass as well as bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound.  Being spiritually and physically this close to Christ during mass, adoration, as well as bringing the Eucharist to the sick, has provided me much intimate time with Christ, where I have  received much healing grace as an ACOD.  And I know that Christ is guiding me to new ways to serve and attend to Him in the Eucharist.  

At every mass, we join Christ at the altar to partake in the banquet of His sacrifice, the Sacred Eucharistic Meal: His Body and Blood, and His Soul and Divinity. He said to His apostles, “...I am with you always, to the very end of the age,”  (Matt 28:20). And, if you have not experienced Christ in the tabernacle in Eucharistic Adoration, I implore you to visit Him soon.  He is waiting for you. Go to Him.

Prayer

ANIMA CHRISTI

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.

Body of Christ, save me.

Blood of Christ, embolden me.

Water from the side of Christ, wash me.

Passion of Christ, strengthen me.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within your wounds hide me.

Never permit me to be parted from you.

From the evil Enemy defend me.

At the hour of my death call me

and bid me come to you,

that with your Saints I may praise you

for age upon age.

Amen.

(This translation of the Anima Christi prayer was found on the USCCB website here.)

About the Author

Teresa is an alumni of Life Giving Wounds. Her career was in commercial, social documentary, and fine art photography. She now enjoys photographing just for herself.  She is also a published book and editorial author. Teresa lives in California with her  husband and has one adult son.  She enjoys hiking weekly the beautiful mountains in her home state where she meets God on the mountain top.  She also enjoys kayaking, boating, skiing, snow shoeing, traveling, reading, gardening, and cooking for her family and friends.  Teresa loves to laugh and find joy in the small things in life.

Reflection Questions for Small Groups or Individuals

1. Have you experienced Christ in the tabernacle during Eucharistic Adoration? If so, what was that experience?

2. How does receiving the Eucharist affect you? 

3. If you were ever denied the Eucharist, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, how did it impact you?

4. Is Christ guiding you to new ways to serve and attend to Christ in the Eucharist (e.g being a Eucharistic Minister or attending adoration more)?

5. Do you have a Eucharist story?