The Eucharistic Body of Christ—The Power for Evangelization

I have been thinking about the amazing experience that hundreds of people had at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Corpus Christi Sunday just two weeks ago. After a beautifully reverent celebration of Holy Mass, Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament was carried in a monstrance into the streets of Oakland for a procession of over one mile. It was a moment in time when torrents of grace were poured out upon those present and upon our entire diocese. I firmly believe this.
           
About three hundred people followed behind the Eucharistic Lord praying, singing and professing their faith in the Real Presence of Jesus. What began at the altar in the cathedral, when bread and wine became the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of the Lord, was carried out into the world as the sanctifying and healing Presence that the world so needs today. The substantial Fruit of the Sacrifice, Jesus Himself, made present again on the altar was borne out into the midst of people who may not have known Him or cared about Him, and the power of His love and mercy began to transform them.
           
We who processed with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist saw it happen. As we walked down the street, men and women were curious about this group of people following the golden monstrance with such reverence and devotion. Bells were ringing, incense was wafting through the air, and a magnificent canopy was blowing as it shielded the Blessed Sacrament. Some believers who happened upon the procession knelt on the sidewalk in adoration. People at Schenley Circle interrupted their outings, activities and conversations to stare inquisitively at this unusual cavalcade of men, women and children. The Lord Himself was passing by in the streets of Pittsburgh.
           
Three beautifully decorated altars were set up on our way with beautiful altar cloths, candles and flowers. We stopped at each altar for a celebration of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Lord of heaven and earth was blessing His creation and its pinnacle, the people whom He loves and redeems by His very Presence. He called out to them, “Come to My Eucharistic Heart that will provide for every longing of your hearts!”
           
We were following the command of the Lord Jesus who said to His disciples, “And preach as you go, ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” We were proclaiming the kingdom by adoring and loving the King Himself truly present in the Holy Eucharist. We were witnessing to the Creator and Redeemer of all creation by our words and deeds. We were telling the whole world that there is hope, mercy and love for all. It can be found in the Sacrament of the Altar.
           
The tremendous grace of the Corpus Christi procession was that we were doing exactly what the Master asks of us. The Lord, whom we receive at Mass, we carry into the world so that others, especially the poor and those on the peripheries of society, may encounter Him and hear the Good News of His love and mercy. All that we need to transform the world we already possess. It is Jesus Himself, whom we carried in the monstrance that day.  Wow!  That is something to think about and pray about!  Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh