Summer 2020 Vol. 65 No 2 THE ‘REAL PRESENCE’ OF JESUS HIDDEN IN THE EUCHARIST “We want to see Jesus” John 12:21 Jesus promised, “I will be with you always even How is Christ present in the Holy Sacrifice of until the end of time,” but in August 2019 a Pew the Mass? Research Center study showed that barely 25 % of The Church teaches that the Mass is the Catholics believe in the ‘Real Presence’ of Jesus in re-presentation or making present again of the the Holy Eucharist. Even in the Holy Sacrifice of sacrifice of Calvary in an unbloody manner. the Mass many believe that the host Since Christ is without time, He is they receive in Communion is a always present at the moment of the symbol of Christ’s body or that He crucifixion, and since He is the is only spiritually present there. But source of the priesthood as well as we who keep perpetual adoration the sacrificial victim, the Holy of the Blessed Sacrament by the Sacrifice of the Mass opens a time- grace of God have been given the less door into the moment of Christ’s death through which flow incredible gift of Jesus’ continual the infinite merits and mercy of his ‘Real Presence’ reserved in the total self-gift. At the moment of Tabernacle and in the Monstrance. Consecration, in the person of the Many are drawn to join in our priest, it is Christ who says again, prayer. Why? “This is my body… This is my blood.” In the Medieval Church where The teaching of the Council of Eucharistic devotion blossomed, Trent stated: "By the consecration the hidden yet Real Presence of the bread and wine, there takes of Jesus was seen by the hearts of place a change of the whole the faithful. In our pragmatic time, substance of the bread into perhaps we can use Fr. Giles Dimock, OP’s the substance of the Body of our method of questions and answers to enlighten Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his Blood. This change the Holy our minds and deepen the vision of our hearts. Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called What does the term "Real Presence" mean? transubstantiation" (D.S. 1641 1D CCC no. 1376). Below, St. Cyril of Alexandria (313 AD to 386 AD) As the Catechism of the Catholic Church points clarifies this doctrine in his precise yet poetic out, Christ's presence in the Eucharist is unique, and manner. it quotes Trent (D.S. 1651) to the effect that Christ is present "Body and Blood, together with the soul and How is Christ in Holy Communion? divinity ... and therefore the whole Christ is truly, When we receive Holy Communion, St. Cyril of really and substantially contained" (CCC no. 1374). Alexandria explains in his Jerusalem Catecheses: This presence is called "real," not to say that the It is with complete assurance that we receive the other modes of presence are not real, but to imply bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. the greatest fullness of reality in this sacrament, that His body is given to us under the appearance of is to say, a substantial presence or "Real Presence." bread, and his blood is given to us under the The Eucharist, Giles Dimock, OP, p. 48 appearance of wine, in order to make us by Cont. on page 2 All images are Monastery composite images of public domain - all rights reserved receiving them one body and blood with him. of the Lamb." Exposition of the Blessed Having his body and blood in our members, we Sacrament flows from the sacrifice of the Mass become bearers of Christ and sharers, as Saint Peter and serves to deepen our hunger for Communion says, in the divine nature. Cf: The Jerusalem Catecheses with Christ and the rest of the Church. (Cat. 22 Mystagogica 4, 1, 3-6,9) Cf: USCCB.org, Eucharistic Devotion How is Christ present in the Tabernacle? Why are many drawn to Jesus the Blessed Sacrament? Fr. Dimock explains, “The Mass involves the blending of two actions into one (the sacramental Fr. Sokolowski suggests that perhaps it is because, celebration and the redemptive sacrifice of Christ), “It reflects the mystery of the Incarnation.” while prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as a Tabernacle involves a continuous form of presence.” re-presentation of Christ’s death and Resurrection Eucharistic Presence, Robert Sokoloski, p. 95 The reflects the Incarnation as well. But devotion to Congregation of Divine Worship affirms Christ's Jesus hidden in the Blessed Sacrament continuing presence in the sacred species saying: "Reserved in our churches or oratories, he is in truth corresponds more fully to the mystery of the Emmanuel, 'God with us.' For he is in our midst day Word, who became flesh, dwelt among us and and night, he dwells in us full of grace and truth." conversed with us. Sokoloski, p. 99 Congregation for Divine Worship: Holy Communion and Eu- Father asserts that this Eucharistic conversation charistic Worship Outside Mass, can only be understood by the believer because it Why Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the is a share in the intimacy of the disciple with Monstrance? Christ. Perhaps, as with Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, This is an extension of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which occurs in every Mass: "Behold the at the Last Supper, those who join us in adoration Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins come to recline next to Jesus, to lean on and of the world. Blessed are those called to the Supper converse with Him. cf: John 13:23, Sokoloski, p. 99 When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, ... Cf: Jeremiah 29: 12-13 2 A NEW NOVICE RECEIVES A NEW NAME February 2, 2020 - Feast of the Presentation In the world you were In the Order you will known as be known as MARY BETH LEY Sr. MARY JOSEPH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD, OP Sister, Why did you request the name of Joseph? Saint Joseph has always had a special place in my heart. He strikes me as the 'forgotten' member of Sister, Is there a scene in the life of St. Joseph that the Holy Family. draws you to him? The mystery of the Presentation is very special to On my way home for summer vacation, after my me. My heart goes out to St. Joseph grieved by first year of teaching in Lumberton, I arrived at Simeon’s prophecy. As I ponder the Holy Family O'Hare late at night due to storms that had leaving the temple, I can see St. Joseph place his delayed air traffic to and from Chicago. O'Hare was incredibly busy and crowded, more so than usual, cloak over Our Lady and the Child Jesus and I was very tired and starting to feel a little desiring to protect them from the prophesied pain apprehensive. I prayed to St. Joseph and to my as long as he could. guardian angel to please be with me and to protect me. Immediately, I felt their presence in a very strong way and could see them in my mind’s eye for a brief moment, and I knew that everything was going to be alright After my second year of teaching and another year of helping my mom, I wanted to return to the mission field, but knew that was not where I was supposed to be. I prayed to St. Joseph to know my vocation and after three weeks of praying, I heard in my mind clear as a bell, "Be a nun." The next day, walking into my parish church, I saw a paper advertising the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament. After my first two weeks here as a postulant, I was thinking about a name to receive when I would be clothed as a Dominican Novice. Sr. Mary Joseph of the Precious Blood clicked, and I knew that was going to be my name. Sr. Mary Joseph with her Novice Mistress, Sr. Mary Rani and Postulant, Sr. Maria 3 SR. MARY OF THE BLESSED October 5, 1934 † In 1934 Elaine was born in Ironwood, Michigan of Polish-American parents, John and Katherine (Lesniak) Kuczala Sr. Twelve year old Elaine and family at her sister’s wedding. 1952 - Elaine graduated from Luther L. Wright H.S. then worked at Cadillac Motor Car Detroit Division until entering the monastery. Mary, my hope! Elaine honored in her 1952 Senior Class Yearbook And true on the day the Lord called her to Himself. 1955 - Novice, Sr. Mary of the Blessed 1954 - Postulant, Sr. Elaine entered the Monastery of Sacrament. The crown of thorns the Blessed Sacrament then in Detroit, MI. symbolizes her choice of the enclosed life of prayer and penance. Sister had a beautiful voice. She loved music, could play the piano by ear and learned the clarinet to play in the Monastery ‘band’. 4 LESSED SACRAMENT, OP October 5, 1934 † March 25, 2020 Larry and family gather to honor sister on her Diamond Jubilee. Mary, my hope! Sister celebrated her, Diamond and Golden Jubilees with contagious joy. Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart, Prioress, received sister’s 60th renewal of vows. Sister loved to serve. And did so with happy zeal as: Infirmarian, Editor of Echoes, Vestiarian, helper in the Print Shop, Extern Assistant, Kitchen Assis- tant, Sacristan, Altar Bread Department, Liturgical Directress and Sub-Prioress.