Even without the drama, in a crowded hallway, seemingly out of nowhere, and totally unexpectedly, there He was, minus the previous night’s grandeur — merely being transported in His gold, circular carriage. It was as if the Shepherd was strolling through the flock to see how His sheep were faring, and we all spontaneously fell to our knees in the hallway of a sports arena. Urban procession Saturday afternoon, on downtown Indianapolis city streets, thousands lined the curbs, steps, bannisters, bridges, windows and railings to see the King of Kings, escorted by his court of bishops, archbishops, hundreds of priests, nuns, lay religious orders and Indianapolis police on bicycles. And as He came by, people on the street knelt. At the conclusion of the procession, the Lord was placed high on a World War Memorial overlooking a park packed with people for the ceremonial Benediction. But it wasn’t over. A few hours later, again in Lucas Oil Stadium, the festivities resumed. There was joyous music; arms in the air, praising and worshiping. There were inspiring speeches from some of the most celebrated presenters in the Catholic world, from Bishop Barron to The Chosen Jesus, Jonathan Roumie; all of whom received arena roof-raising applause. The Real Jesus Nothing, however, compared to the reception for the real Jesus. When at last He appeared, the arena went dark and the crowd became utterly silent, moving again to their knees as He was carried under rays of brilliant light to the altar, center stage. The thousands of pilgrims, who were stacked in rows, to the stadium ceiling, remained on their knees, alternately singing meditative hymns and worshiping in silence for over a half hour. I have never experienced anything quite like it. Suddenly this thought came to me; is this what Heaven — so vividly depicted by the Apostle John — is like? I looked and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the lamb, clothed, in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10) During this historic Congress, Jesus’ Real Presence was also acknowledged by definition rather than demotion. However reverently intended, merely referring to the Eucharistic Lord as “the” Blessed Sacrament or “the Eucharist” conveys an image of an “it” rather than “Him.” Who wants to adore an “it”? Pagans, yes. Christians, no. We hunger to worship HIM. Dear clergy, if you wish us to recognize the Real Presence, describe the reality. It’s Him! It’s not an It! It’s Him! Happily, the bishops promoting the National Eucharistic Revival seem to be getting the point. The Eucharistic pilgrimages dramatically emphasized Our Lord’s actual Presence. Pilgrims were told they were “On the road with Jesus” or walking with the Eucharistic Lord just as the Apostles traveled with the visibly human Lord, 2,000 years ago. Father Mike Schmitz spoke some of the sentences I will most remember. He stressed the need for repentance. “There is no love, no revival, without repentance.” He said love was more needed than knowledge. “Knowledge can make you great. But only love can make you a saint.” Peggy Stanton is the author of From the White House to the White Cross: Confessions of a TV News Correspondent (B63-WHWC) and The Order of Malta Minutes with the Catechism (B63-OMTK), both from Marian Press and available on ShopMercy.org. Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org 11 Bishop William Byrne of Springfield, Massachusetts, adores Christ in the Eucharist with tens of thousands in Lucas Oil Stadium. It was Him upon Whom the entire five days were focused. He who created the holy excitement. Our God, our humble Lord and Savior, the Creator of the Universe, came out of hiding, strode out of the tabernacle, mightily manifesting Himself. K. Dobbs/Diocese of Springfield
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==