O SACRAMENT MOST HOLY: The beloved St. Padre Pio observed that: “It is easier for the earth to exist without the sun, than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” Photos of this great priest show him, during the consecration, totally transfixed as he gazes in wonder at the Host which he holds in his hands. What an amazing gift the Lord has given us in the Eucharist! The gift – quite literally – is the gift of Christ himself. When we kneel before the altar at Mass, we kneel before the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of God’s own Son. We kneel before the very presence of God! Jesus promised – and we heard this in last Sunday’s gospel reading – “I am with you always (Mt 28:20).” In no place is this promise more clearly fulfilled than in a tabernacle in a Catholic church. Jesus is there! One of my favorite saints, Blessed Dina Belanger (a religious order sister), when she had duties to complete in the convent, would struggle to walk past the convent chapel without entering in. Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament was magnetic for Dina. She would feel herself being irresistibly drawn to Him, even at those times when she was bound by obedience to be elsewhere. As we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi today, may we too be drawn ever closer to Christ. His love is freely given to us, particularly in the Eucharist.

MEMORIAL DAY CEMETERY MASS: This Monday, May 27, we will gather near the mausoleums at St. Joseph Cemetery to celebrate the annual Warren County Catholic Community Memorial Day Mass. This is always a well-attended and moving event. As we pause to remember our deceased loved ones this holiday weekend, may God grant them pardon and peace. In a special way, and recalling the original intent of Memorial Day, we remember and give thanks for our military veterans who have served our nation so faithfully. May those soldiers, sailors and airman who have heard the mournful call of Taps trumpeted for them, now know the never-ending joy of life with Christ.

HOLY SPIRIT POWER: Wind. Oil. Fire. Water. These are all images we find in scripture to describe the Holy Spirit. Christ breathed the Spirit on his apostles after his resurrection from the dead and the Spirit descended upon the Church on the day of Pentecost. You and I received the gift of the Spirit when we were baptized. The Spirit is a constant source of life and vitality. St. Paul tells us that the Spirit has been poured into our hearts (Rom 5:5), that we cannot claim Jesus as Lord unless the Holy Spirit allows us to do so (1 Cor 12:3), and that the Spirit prays for us when we struggle to pray well (Rom 8:26-27). The British writer Caryll Houselander (one of my favorite Catholic authors) says this: “Not only does the Holy Spirit wash the stains from our souls and minds, but he heals the wounds and bruises of life, he softens the pride that is so often the major cause of our unhappiness, and bows our ‘stiff necks’ to the yoke that is sweet and brings peace.” My spiritual director often refers to the Spirit as "Demon Destroyer.” The Holy Spirit is powerful and pure. Yet the Spirit is also known as the “Consoler.” He’s tender and compassionate. I pray that a new Pentecost – a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit – is given to our world, to our Church, to our community, and to our families. Veni, Creator Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit! It’s a prayer that we can turn to often.

THE GIFT OF MOTHERHOOD: St. Therese of Lisieux wrote that: “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” What an absolutely beautiful sentiment! The gift of motherhood is at the heart of God’s plan for the human race, is it not? Our Lord himself chose to be born of a mother, our Blessed Mother! So on this Mother’s Day, we salute and honor and thank all of you who have been graced with the vocation of motherhood. We pray for you! We pray as well for our deceased mothers and for those mothers who have known the grief of losing a child to death. Although motherhood is a source of great joy, we understand that mothers are often asked to carry heavy crosses, as well. We, your children, are grateful! God bless you all!

TO KNOW HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD: As we celebrate First Communions this weekend and take joy in the present that Jesus gives to our young people, might we also seek anew a strong Eucharistic fervor in our own hearts? As he passed from this world to his heavenly kingdom, Jesus left us two important gifts: his Blessed Mother and the Eucharist. We walk through this life as through a valley of tears, but we are never left alone or forsaken. Christ is with us! The Eucharist is his true and abiding Presence. We are loved.