Q+A: Describe your experience of Jesus in the Eucharist

Grace Beyer, Vandebilt Catholic High School Graduate
Through my school’s ministry, my Church parish, and my family, the Eucharist has become the central part of my faith life. The Eucharist has opened doors for me to deepen my relationship with God. It is impossible to say in words just how great an act of love it is for Him to remain physically with us and for us to have the gift of receiving Him at every Mass. 

I have always known of the Lord, but experiencing Him in the Eucharist has allowed me to truly and fully know Him and be known by Him. His love placed in a tangible host reveals His longing to be in a full relationship with each of us. It is evidence of His desire to always be with us in a way that we can see, feel, and understand. His True Presence in the Eucharist is the guidance in my life. In adoration, His presence shines through the host and touches the heart. His love is beyond our earthly understanding, and the connection between us and His heavenly love is the Eucharist. 

Now that I have experienced Him through the Eucharist, I wish I could properly put into words and better explain how His mercy and love lives in the Eucharist. It is something that I pray every human experiences.

 

Brayden Dantin, St. Thomas Aquinas
My life was decent before developing a deeper understanding of Christ’s Eucharistic presence, but after my encounter, life became more vibrant and beautiful than I had previously imagined it could be. I am reminded of Jesus’ words in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” We can be tempted to think that the Christian life is a burden, when, in reality, it is the great joy for which our hearts long. Christ came not to enslave us, but to set us free, make us more truly who we are, and to give us abundant life. In the Eucharist we find this promise of abundant life made manifest out of total love for us and from Christ’s desire to dwell among the people He redeemed and loves. 

My encounter with Christ’s Eucharistic presence brought with it a newer and deeper understanding of freedom. Freedom does not flow from simply expanding our possible choices, but from becoming who we were created to be. The Lord makes us free by encountering us in the Eucharist and by freeing us from our bondage to sin. Christ desires to encounter us where we are and in the way we need. Your encounter doesn’t have to seem extravagant. God can choose to “knock you off of your horse” as He did with St. Paul, or, He can choose to encounter you in the silence of your heart with the calming whisper of His voice as He did for Elijah. Both are beautiful and both come from the Lord. Nor does it need to happen all at once. For St. Augustine, it took many years. He wrote, “You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness.” It was through a constant calling that Jesus found St. Augustine. Do not be afraid if you have not yet encountered Jesus in the Eucharist. He loves you and is waiting to encounter you, even if you feel like He hasn’t just yet. 

My understanding of God’s love has become greater than I previously thought possible. In the Eucharist, we can see the clearest indication of God’s infinite love for His children—a love not content with remaining in heaven, but one that came down in search of His lost sheep. Not only did this Love become incarnate for 33 years, but, in His Church, this Love is continually made visible. The Eucharist prolongs the Incarnation by allowing the Word to dwell among us even now. There is no deeper or more beautiful image of God’s desire to save us than in the Eucharist; a Love always made accessible to us and in all places. Hidden in this small host is our Salvation, our Joy, our Life, and the fulfillment of all desire. 


Jon Paul Olivier, Cathedral of St. Francis de SalesSeveral years ago, during Palm Sunday Mass I had an extraordinary experience. When the Eucharistic Minister held up the host and said, “The Body of Christ,” I was overcome with tears. I was so filled with joy that I couldn’t do anything but cry. I went back to my pew, the tears dried up, and I didn’t give it much thought. 

A year later, on Easter Sunday, the priest held up the newly consecrated host and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Just like the year before, I was overcome with happiness. I couldn’t take my eyes off the host in the priest’s hands and tears were uncontrollably flowing down my cheeks. I knew at that moment I was physically in His presence. 

After Mass, I kept thinking that once might have been a coincidence, but twice proved to me it was something else, something more. I did some research and discovered the phenomenon of the gift of tears, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Reading about other peoples’ experiences reassured me that I wasn’t alone and I wasn’t crazy– something real was happening. I came to realize that God himself was reaching out and touching my heart, giving me His Spirit. 

Over the years the gift recurred on significant feast days, reassuring me of God’s presence. The most dramatic occurrence was at a retreat on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. At the urging of one of the speakers, I walked outside to find a certain cross in the cemetery. I struggled to work my way around the closely spaced graves to reach the cross. After several minutes, a strong feeling came over me that I needed to go to the Adoration chapel. When I turned to go there, a wide avenue opened before me. It was probably the road the hearses used to bring in caskets for burial. I don’t know why, I didn’t see it before, but now a wide path was in front of me leading to the Adoration chapel. I opened the door and found the chapel overflowing with people. All eyes were on the Eucharist. It was breathtaking. I found a spot at the end of a pew and knelt. When I looked up at the Blessed Sacrament, I felt the Holy Spirit come over me. It was a physical thing, like dew settling gently on grass at night. I knew the Spirit was with me, and the tears came more than ever before. I was a mess, but I was so filled with happiness. Strangely, nobody seemed to notice I was crying. All eyes were fixed in adoration on the Blessed Sacrament. I knew without a doubt I was in the presence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit was right there with me. 

Since then, I still receive this gift from time to time. It has given me a new appreciation for the Mass. Going to Mass isn’t only an obligation, it is a celebration, usually bringing a smile to my face as the consecration begins.

Natalie Guidry, St. Anthony, Gheens

As I plan a trip to attend the National Eucharistic Congress this summer with my small group, I look back on how my relationship with Jesus has grown over the years. I was the textbook definition of the “cradle Catholic.” I attended religion class weekly and Mass on most Sundays. I loved Jesus, I obeyed God, was a little skeptical of the Holy Spirit, but the relationship was usually out of obligation.  

Several years ago, the hunger to learn more about my faith called me to dive in and step out of my comfort zone. I started attending any session the diocese offered and volunteered to help with youth ministry at my church. Every yes was so difficult, and I could always find an excuse, but I quickly learned that the other side of every yes was amazing!  

Every step in His direction made me want more. Every unpacking of scripture overwhelmed me, yet increased my confidence in the Father’s love for me. There is no denying that every adoration physically lightens my life’s burdens as I’m there on my knees turning everything over to Him. Allowing myself permission to use all the senses God created me with to worship Him has fueled my desire to receive the Eucharist. At every Mass Jesus personally invites me to the table of the Last Supper, and I can’t help but to behold Him and make Him my only focus. His amazing love breaks through all boundaries as He enters my timeline, my life, my body right there in Mass. And that’s where it hits me–Jesus makes His way to me, gives me His strength, His guidance, and walks with me on this journey back to the Father.