How To Get More Out Of Holy Communion

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

This is a special weekend at the Church of St. Michael. We will celebrate our patronal Feast of St. Michael during our Sunday liturgies so that as many parishioners and visitors as possible can celebrate the friendship we share with St. Michael the Archangel!

May St. Michael defend and protect us always!

This week I continue with the series on St. Peter Julian Eymard’s book: How To Get More Out Of Holy Communion. The purpose of this series is to help souls overcome a common spiritual experience felt during Holy Mass, which can be expressed through statements such as: ‘Holy Mass is boring’ or ‘I did not get anything out of attending Holy Mass’.

One remedy St. Peter Julian Eymard recommends is to keep in mind that Holy Communion sustains and refreshes our souls. St. Peter wrote: “In the opinion of the Fathers of the Church, the Incarnation is a second creation. In Jesus Christ we have been created anew, rehabilitated; our life and our dignity have been restored to us. What has been said of the Incarnation can be said likewise of the Eucharist, which is but the extension thereof. Let us see how in the Eucharist we find again the divine life that Original Sin had destroyed in humanity. Jesus Christ said, ‘Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath everlasting life’ (John 6:54-55)… The Eucharist is the sacrament of life because it gives us life in its full development, in its perfection.”

Another reason to open our hearts fully to Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist taught us by St. Peter is that through Holy Communion we regain our dignity. St. Peter wrote: “Jesus instituted the Eucharist in order to reinstate the human race in its in its first dignity. Man was degraded, debased, by Original Sin. He forgot his celestial origin, lost his honor as king of creation, and became like the beasts he was meant to govern. Cast into their midst, he was eluded by the weak or attacked by the strong, sin having made him who was their master their mortal enemy. He remained by his nature their king, but a king dethroned… God knew the unbearable shame man would feel if, from the depths of his misery, he were to be called directly into His presence. So God would find a way to rehabilitate man, to restore his honor. And as food and clothing are the two things most apt to bring men together among themselves, God would give to man a celestial raiment and a divine nutriment. Thus man would be restored to his former dignity. Baptism will purify the child of Adam; the virtues of Jesus Christ will adorn him; the Eucharist will sanctify him. Surrounded by so many honors, man will feel his dignity increase.”

These words of St. Peter urge us on to frequently seek union with Jesus through the Holy Eucharist. Our Lord’s true presence is offered to us for our good. He wills us to have peace and salvation. However, true peace and salvation can only come from Him. Let us draw near to Him each week or, if possible, more often through daily Holy Mass and opportunities for adoration. This practice will refresh our souls and increase our personal awareness of our great dignity in being children of God!

Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Columbkill, may God bless you, your families and our parishes!

In Christ through Mary,

Fr. Kasel