Eucharistic Devotion and
the Real Presence

by John A. Hardon, S.J.

The present issue of The Catholic Faith is devoted to the Holy Eucharist. The immediate reason is a request by the Holy See that we devote one issue of the magazine in preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Poland during May 1997.

If there is one mystery of our Faith that is being widely challenged today it is the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Pope John Paul II is deeply concerned about this weakening of belief in the cardinal truth of Catholic Christianity.

For the first time in history there is now Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome during every weekday of the year. One of the hopes of the Holy Father is that Eucharistic Adoration outside of the Mass be promoted throughout the world.

In his own language, the Pope identifies the Eucharist as the Presence-Sacrament. Christ is on earth. He wants to perform miracles of His grace, especially miracles of conversion in what is becoming a Christ-less age. The key to tapping the resources of His grace is our deep faith in Christ's living presence among us in the Blessed Sacrament.

It is hoped that this issue of The Catholic Faith will inspire Bishops, priests, religious, and laity to open nothing less than a renaissance of adoring love of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. ©

© 1997 Inter Mirifica