The source of inspiration and strength in Eugene’s life was his relationship with Jesus in the Word of God and in the Eucharist. Here he shows the importance of Eucharistic devotion in his daily life – manifested in the daily celebration of Mass, his hour of Eucharistic prayer (“oraison”) and his occasional visits to pray briefly in church during the day.
I was prompted to abandon myself to all the sentiments that his divine presence and the immensity of his mercy inspired…
These same sentiments were renewed when I presented myself before him to adore him, whether at my hour of adoration, whether on appearing before him as I left or entered the house, still again on visits I tried to make often during the Forty Hours, or in other churches where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 16 February 1826, EO VII n 224
“The Eucharistic mystery stands at the heart and center of the liturgy since it is the fount of life by which we are cleansed and strengthened to live not for ourselves but for God and to be united in love among ourselves.” Pope Paul VI
Last weekend I facilitated a Ron Rolheiser video workshop called “Eucharist: God’s Way of Embracing US. Since then I have gone back to it daily to focus on different points. My awareness and experience of the Eucharist has been enriched and continues to grow. The coming together, the nourishing, the nurturing, It’s physicality, it is touch, it is kiss and embrace. It was an opportunity for a group of people to listen, experience and share with others their own experience of Eucharist. An incredible gift.
Entering into the celebration of the Eucharist on a daily basis has long been a practice of mine, mostly out of need, a need that I am hard-pressed to put words to and sometimes it is simply out of habit, a regular part of my day. And there are other times that I find myself in the proximity (of a church or chapel) and am able to simply go and sit before the Eucharist and just be – it most often is not exposed. I go for consolation, or nourishment, but mostly I go to simply be, to experience God in a special way.
I wish that I could be as faithful to God and to a daily discipline of prayer (particularly oraison) as was Eugene and many of the other saints who have gone before us. But for what I have, for what God gives to me, freely and unendingly, I am so very grateful.