Eucharistic Evangelisation

The lights were switched off in the church but there was enough glow to move around on Saturday night.The lights were all focused on the centre altar of the basilica where the Eucharist  was exposed in a golden monstrance.

 

It was about 9.15 p.m when I entered the Church and was on my knees in adoration. What a sight!There was Jesus in the Eucharist at the far end of the Church and so many people present .At night you don't see so many people in church. And what a visual impact was the sight of the Eucharist in the monstrance!

 

I went quietly to a corner and sat down. In the centre of the centre aisle it seemed the animator, the choir and electric guitars were all there. All with their attention on Jesus.

 

This was the basilica of Santa Anastasia al Palatino, Rome, near the grounds where Catholics were martyred for the Faith centuries back.It's in this church that they have Eucharistic Adoration 24 hours at a side altar, but today the Eucharist was there at the centre of the Church.

 

This was probably a Medugorje-Charismatic Renewal meeting and I liked it.And I'm sure Jesus did too.I was just soaking it all up  and if they continued  all night I would have remained sitting there.It would have been more difficult to leave.

 

It concluded with a Eucharistic procession. The priest brought the Eucharist  in the monstrance  down the aisle in benediction.The Eucharist was them placed at the side altar for silent adoration at 10.45 p.mThere were so many young people there.I noticed they were happy to be there and this form of worship was meaningful for them.Perhaps this group meets once a month. I would like to be there at their next meeting.Medugorje-Charismatic groups are using  stadiums in Italy for their prayer and conference meetings accompanied with Eucharistic adoration, silent and vocal.

 

On Saturday  nights if a church is open and a few people are within in prayer it is either Eucharistic Adoration organised by one such group or it  is Mass being held by the Neo Catechumenal Way (Kiko Arguello).

 

Medugorje has become an important movement in Italy. The last hymn they sang last night is a favourite of mine, Dona la Pace. I keep hearing it often in churches. It was composed at Medugorje by Roland  in Madare Rosaria's community (Adorers of the Precious Blood of Jesus).Roland is a young Italian inspired by all that is Medugorje.A few months back he was ordained a Deacon.One of the many vocations which has come to the Church from Medugorje.-Lionel Andrades