Bishop Eugene continues to reflect in his Diary about the experience of Eucharistic adoration among his people. It is an experience that invites our personal reflection on our responsibility to support the faith of those we care for – especially parents, teachers and pastors. It is a long text, but well worth the time to read and reflect on it.<\/p>\n
… At St. Joseph, I entered the church with the Holy Viaticum, miserably accompanied as usual. I took my place behind the Blessed Sacrament after prostrating to let it pass. How happy I would be if, by all these external acts of my adoration, I could teach my people how to honor Jesus Christ in his sacrament of love. I would like to make myself even smaller still and forget myself completely in his divine presence to stress the glory due to Him and to have Him honored as he should be.<\/strong><\/p>\n
That is my heart\u2019s most constant desire, and I never miss any occasion to instill these principles whether by my words or by my actions.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
But it is not a question of mere external actions, but of sharing with others what God is doing in our hearts and lives:<\/p>\n
But I would like to make known to the entire world the interior consolations I experience every time I carry out this duty. It has come to the point that when in my presence, to conform to the rules I prescribed during my uncle\u2019s episcopacy, they prostrate themselves on two knees when passing in front of our Saviour, I feel an inexpressible joy and satisfaction which thrills me so tenderly sometimes that I am moved to tears.<\/strong><\/p>\n
It seems to me that I adore Him through everyone who passes in front of Him. I am happy to see Him receive this respect, and I accompany with an intimate movement of my soul this external act which exalts the greatness and power of my God. I say interiorly: yes, He is worthy of it, this honour is due to Him. Prostrate yourself even more.<\/strong><\/p>\n
I adore Him with you and through you. Would that He be known and loved by all those whom He has redeemed, He who is God like his Father, who did not need us and who sacrificed himself for us.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Eugene de Mazenod\u2019s Diary, 10 February 1839, EO XX<\/em><\/p>\n
” The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom\u2019s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>John 3: 29-31<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bishop Eugene continues to reflect in his Diary about the experience of Eucharistic adoration among his people. It is an experience that invites our personal reflection on our responsibility to support the faith of those we care for – especially … Continue reading