At Easter in 1570 in the Church of St. Erasmus, the consecrated Host, according to the traditional rite at the time, was placed in a round silver container (pyx) and placed in a burse-like holder. This was later placed in a large, ceremonial silver chalice with its paten; the whole wrapped in an elegant silk cloth. It should be mentioned that at that time exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance was not a widespread practice, even though the Council of Cologne (1452) specifically referred to the monstrance. It was the custom for each civil confraternity to be present for an hour of adoration before the exposed Blessed Sacrament.

Juliana was born in 1191 in the village of Retinnes in the principality of Liège, which is now Belgium. She and her twin sister Agnes were orphaned at the age of five and raised under the care of the Augustinian nuns in the convent and leprosarium of Mont Cornillon. After many years of studying under Sister Sapienza, who oversaw her spiritual development, Juliana became an Augustinian nun. Sister Juliana was very intelligent. She memorized the writings of the Church fathers, St. Augustine and St. Bernard, in Latin, and like many in her region and generation, she had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She loved Christ and had a deep sense of His presence, often contemplating on the words of Jesus, “And lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In Morrovalle, at about two o’clock in the morning of April 17, 1560, during the octave of Easter, Brother Angelo Blasi awoke with a start at the sound of violent crackling. Looking out the window of his cell, he saw the church was completely engulfed in flames, and he immediately ran to notify the other brothers. The fire was extinguished after seven hours, and in the following days began the work of clearing the massive pile of church ruins.

St. Hesychius was a priest who wrote about the Bible in the liturgy. He viewed Scripture as “perfect wisdom, the point of departure and the point of arrival to which the whole of our existence should be conformed.” Hesychius preached on Easter at the place of the crucifixion, exalting the cross and Christ’s victory. Like St. Cyril of Jerusalem, he taught a realistic doctrine of the Eucharist, which he regarded as a sacrifice identical with that of the cross. Hesychius taught that Christ was present to transform us through our inner absorption of his whole being. “Keep yourselves free from sin so that every day you may share in the mystic meal; by doing so our bodies become the body of Christ.”

Saint Anthony Mary Claret symbolized, in some sense, the whole Church as the innocent victim and hated enemy of modern world intrigue. There are those who see in Saint Anthony more than just an example, but actually a living prophecy of the persecution that Holy Mother Church and her divine Faith must endure in latter times, suffering humiliation and even apparent defeat before rising again victorious to her greatest glory. For the enemy who relentlessly persecuted Anthony Claret, while wreaking havoc on Spain and other countries, is that same demonic force which even now seeks the ruin of the Church.

For centuries the Church has reflected on the special relationship between St Joseph and the Eucharist. The biblical parallel between the ancient Joseph (son of Jacob), who during the famine distributed to the people the grain stored up in times of plenty (Genesis 41), and the glorious Guardian of the Redeemer is well known. To the former, the Pharaoh had entrusted the administration of all his goods, to the latter God had entrusted His Son. St Leonard Murialdo, developing a concept already expressed by St Bernard and St Bernardino, wrote that Mary’s spouse “did much more than the ancient Joseph: he kept the living bread that came down from heaven; he kept it not only for Egypt and a few Israelites, but for the whole world. Yes, Joseph saved from Herod the living bread that came down from heaven, so that after 30 years it could be given as food to the apostles and, through them, to all those who hunger for eternal life and happiness. Joseph hid this wheat of the elect for 30 years: Joseph’s house was a mysterious tabernacle; his arms a pyx; his chest a paten on which Jesus slept... And this most holy body of Jesus Christ, which nourishes us for eternal life, was nourished by Joseph’s labors.”

On July 25, 1535, while celebrating Mass at the main altar of the Collegiate Church of San Secondo at about 7:00 o’clock in the morning, a holy priest by the name of Domenico Occelli prepared to break the Host and noticed that, along the entire break, the Host was becoming red with living Blood. Three drops fell into the chalice and a fourth one remained at the extreme end of the Host. At first, Fr. Domenico continued the celebration of the Mass. But when he broke off the portion of the Host that had to be placed in the chalice, Blood came out of the Host.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was chosen by God to reveal to the Christian World the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her life was marked by supernatural experiences through which she greatly suffered in intense love for Jesus Christ. She consecrated her heart, while yet a child, to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In order to dedicate herself wholly to her Divine Spouse, she joined the Visitation Order of nuns at 23 years of age.

Great preparations usually precede great events. The apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima were preceded by three visions of the Angel of Portugal to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Providence prepared the children for the moment when Our Lady would speak to them.

Near Christmas 1916, the first recorded Eucharistic procession in the Sahara wended its solemn way through the sands. A French officer on horseback, followed by his soldiers, carried a monstrance with the Sacred Host, reverently veiled in a cloth.

Paschal Baylon was a Franciscan friar in Spain. Before joining the Order of Friars Minor in 1564, he worked as a shepherd. He always brought a book into the fields with the hope that someone who could read would pass by and help him learn. And someone did. He later explained his reasons for wanting to become a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi. He wrote: “I was born poor and I am resolved to die in poverty and penance.”

The Summary of the Whole Gospel

594. Why do we say “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”?

By asking God the Father to pardon us, we acknowledge before him that we are sinners. At the same time we proclaim his mercy because in his Son and through the sacraments “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Still our petition will be answered only if we for our part have forgiven first.

St. Peter Damian was a monk, reformer, and fearless teacher of the Faith. He executed the reforms of popes and was an instrumental figure in the life of the Church in the 11th Century. He gave up a life of monasticism in service to Christ and His Church. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church after his death. There is much that could be written about this remarkable saint and his works, but there are three aspects of his teaching that help us deepen our own spiritual lives. First, St. Peter Damian had a great love for the Cross of Christ. As well, had a profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, which is evident from his description of a Eucharistic miracle he witnessed. He also understood the essential nature of communion in the Church.

The Summary of the Whole Gospel

589. How is the Name of God made holy in us and in the world?

To make holy the Name of God, who calls us “to holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7) is to desire that our baptismal consecration animate our whole life. In addition, it is to ask –with our lives and our prayers – that the Name of God be known and blessed by every man.