April
The Holy Eucharist
Traditionally coinciding with the heights of the liturgical year, April is dedicated to the "Source and Summit" of the Christian life. We are called to deepen our devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, recognizing the Eucharist as the ultimate gift of Divine Love and the primary food for our spiritual journey.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."
~John 6:51
In April, our hearts turn to the Altar. Whether we are celebrating Easter or moving through the season of the Resurrection, the Church dedicates this month to The Holy Eucharist—the very heartbeat of St. Anthony and OLP.
For us in Elmendorf and Saspamco, food is love. We show we care by feeding people—at potlucks, festivals, and family BBQs. But the meal we share at Mass is different. It is the only meal where the food we eat gives us eternal life. It is where Jesus fulfills His promise to be with us "always, to the end of the age."
The Teaching: Source and Summit
The Church uses a powerful phrase to describe the Eucharist: it is the "source and summit" of our faith. This means everything we do starts there, and everything we do leads back there.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this mystery clearly.
This is not a symbol. It is not just a reminder. It is Him. When the priest elevates the host at our small mission in Saspamco or our parish in Elmendorf, we are looking at the same Lord who walked in Galilee.
"In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist 'the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.'" (CCC 1374)
The Scripture: The Road to Emmaus
There is a beautiful story in the Gospel of Luke that reminds us how we recognize Jesus. After the Resurrection, two disciples were walking to a town called Emmaus. They didn't recognize Jesus when He walked beside them, until one specific moment.
This happens every Sunday (and every day!) at our parish. We come in with our worries, sometimes "blind" to God's presence, but in the breaking of the bread, He reveals Himself to us.
"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him." (Luke 24:30-31)
Living the Faith: How to Observe this Month
The Eucharist is a mystery to be lived, not just watched. Here is how you can deepen your devotion this April:
1. Arrive Early, Stay Late
We often rush into Mass right at the bell and rush out before the final hymn is over. This month, try to arrive 5 minutes early to quiet your heart. After Mass, kneel for just one minute of thanksgiving before heading to the parking lot. That small pause makes a big difference.
2. Visit Jesus in the Tabernacle
The church isn't just for Sunday. If you are passing by the church during the week and the doors are open, stop in. You don't need to say a long prayer. Just sit in the quiet presence of the Tabernacle. It’s like stopping by your parents' house just to say hello—it pleases God to see you.
3. Spiritual Communion
If you cannot make it to Mass during the week, or if you are homebound, practice "Spiritual Communion." Simply pause and pray: "My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things... Come at least spiritually into my heart."
A Prayer for April
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, You humble Yourself to come to us in the form of bread and wine. Thank You for feeding our souls.
As we receive You at St. Anthony and OLP, Transform us into what we receive. Make us Your body in the world— Hands to serve, hearts to love, and voices to speak Your truth.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
Amen.
A prayer to say after receiving Communion or when passing a Catholic church.
Additional Discussion
April, known as the Month of the Holy Eucharist in Catholicism, traces its roots to Jesus instituting the Eucharist at the Last Supper, deepening Catholic focus on this central sacrament during Eastertide when Holy Thursday, Easter, and Divine Mercy Sunday often fall. Catholics currently practice by increasing prayer, attending adoration, and meditating on the Eucharist's Real Presence, tying into broader movements like the Eucharistic Revival in the U.S. Catholic News Agency.
Origins of the Devotion
The Last Supper:
Jesus established the Eucharist, declaring the bread and wine to be His Body and Blood, a memorial of His sacrifice, as recounted in the Gospels and 1 Corinthians.
Old Testament foreshadowing:
The "Bread of the Presence" (Showbread) in the Jewish Temple and the Paschal Lamb foreshadow Jesus's sacrificial presence in the Eucharist.
Early Church:
The first Christians devoted themselves to "the breaking of the bread and to prayers," demonstrating the Eucharist's central role from the beginning.
Official Designation:
Pope John Paul II designated April as the Month of the Eucharist in 2003 to highlight the sacrament during Easter
Current Catholic Practices in April
Increased Prayer:
Devotions like the Rosary, Jesus Prayer, and the Anima Christi are common.
Eucharistic Adoration:
Catholics spend extra time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (consecrated hosts).
Acts of Love:
Making peace, sharing meals (e.g., "Holy Family plate"), and demonstrating mutual respect are common practices.
Holy Hours:
Specific hours focused on themes like peace, vocations, or the Divine Mercy are prayed.
National Eucharistic Revival:
In the U.S., this ongoing initiative promotes deeper faith in the Eucharist through events and education, notes this article from the Diocese of Nashville.
Meditation & Study:
Reading scripture, lives of saints (like St. Ignatius of Antioch), and Church teachings on the Eucharist is encouraged.
Focus on Easter:
The month connects the Last Supper (Holy Thursday) to Jesus's Resurrection (Easter Sunday) and Divine Mercy Sunday, emphasizing Christ's real presence.
Core Message
The core message of April’s devotion to the Holy Eucharist is that Jesus Christ is truly, fully, and intimately present in the Blessed Sacrament as the "Source and Summit" of the Christian faith. By celebrating the institution of this sacrament during Holy Week and Eastertide, Catholics reaffirm that the Eucharist is the ultimate proof of God’s infinite love and the primary means of spiritual union with the Divine. Ultimately, the month calls the faithful to recognize Christ’s real presence not as a historical memory, but as a living reality that nourishes, heals, and transforms them into his own likeness to serve the world.