Defending the Eucharist

"Lord, it is good for us to be here." ~Matthew 17:4

Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Sheboygan, Wisconsin (photo by John Bender, Go Forward, Make Noise)

 With a Black "Mass" pending in Oklahoma City, Catholics in Oklahoma are asked to participate in a nine-day novena of prayer and fasting to bring about a cancellation of those plans.  The prayer and fasting includes Eucharistic Adoration and abstaining from meat from the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6th through the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th. Bishop Slattery from Tulsa has joined in the calls for prayer and fasting from Archbishop Coakley stating, "I am also asking that you consecrate your hunger with a daily recitation of the rosary and the familiar Prayer to Saint Michael."  Read more here and here.

My family and I want to do all that we can to defend the Eucharist and join in the novena for Oklahoma City with additional prayer and fasting.  My son Jack and I made a one-hour pilgrimage to Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Sheboygan today for their  Chaplet of Divine Mercy Holy Hour with Fr. Matthew Widder.  The holy  hour is held every Wednesday at 4:30 pm.  In his homily, Fr. Matthew spoke about the need for Catholics to pray for an increase of faith in the Eucharist and reaffirmed the call for prayer from Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Slattery.   With the talented organist Jake Heidel leading the music, and the very holy and humble Fr. Matthew Widder leading the prayers, the well-attended holy hour was extremely beautiful and surely effective at bringing honor and glory to Jesus and, God-willing,  the demise of the Black "Mass" plans.  

From the holy hour prayer booklet:

Act of Faith in the Divine Eucharist (Saint Gregory VII)

I believe in my heart and openly profess, that the bread and wine which are placed upon the altar, are by the mystery of the sacred prayer, and the words of the Redeemer, substantially changed into the true and life-giving Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ Our Lord, and of Christ which was born of the Virgin Mary, and offered up for the salvation of the world, hung upon the Cross, and now sits at the right hand of the Father and there is present the true Blood of Christ, which flowed from his side. They are present not only by means of a sign, and of the efficacy of the Sacrament, but also in the very reality and truth of their nature and substance. Amen.

Christ's Mercy

My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world.  Who can measure the extent of My goodness?   For you, I descended from heaven to earth, for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the cross;  for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the source of mercy for you.  Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain.  I never reject a contrite heart.  Your misery has disappeared in the depths of My Mercy.  Do not argue with Me about your wretchedness.  You will give Me pleasure if you hand over to Me all your troubles and griefs.  I shall heap upon you the treasures of My grace.  (Words of Jesus given to Sister Faustina.)  St. Maria Faustina, through your earnest prayers obtain God's mercy for us and the whole world.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.  Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.