Dear Women discerning,
 

Of the many gifts that our beloved Holy Father John Paul II gave us His love and devotion to the Eucharist, his proclaiming the Year of the Eucharist and his document on the Eucharist can be a source of deep renewal and grace today and for the years to come.  

Our Holy Father for the last two decades has challenged us to renew our Eucharistic amazement and contemplate the face of Christ. In this year of the Eucharist we pray to increase devotion and deep love for this mystery of our faith.  

As parish ministers, health care workers, and educators we work to cultivate what Pope John Paul II called “ a lively awareness of Christ’s real presence, both in the celebration of Mass and in worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass.” Mane Nobiscum Domine 18  In response to this initiative, may we all be amazed by our encounter with the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist “ the perfect fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to remain with us until the end of the world.”  

As young people discerning a call to religious life, I encourage you to bring all of your fears, questions, faithful searching to Christ in the Eucharist and there to respond with courage and hope to the inspirations that intensify the call~ listen to the words in scripture echoed so many times by Pope John Paul II: “Do not be afraid!” Do not be afraid to respond to the call with the ultimate gift—the gift of oneself to God knowing that “in losing your life you will find it.”  

I  encourage you to find the courage to respond before our Savior in adoration of the real presence in the Eucharist.  May we appreciate this great gift of the Eucharist-where we encounter heaven on earth! 

God will give you the grace and peace to live joyfully!
Peace!

Sr. Christine, ascj