ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick share their experiences and reflections on living a life centered on the Eucharist.
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ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick share their experiences and reflections on living a life centered on the Eucharist.
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By: Laura Worhacz Consecration Week Theme: MARY'S TRIUMPH
In the few days before the recitation of our promise we will take a last look at these words from St. Peter Julian Eymard from the Thirtieth Day. It may be a good Holy Reminder to recall that Jesus was 30 years old when The Proclamation of the Kingdom of Heaven was given to us through HIM. St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Jesus himself introduces His Mother to the glorified state; He owes her compensation. She enters by a special gate, open for her alone. If the twelve Apostles are the twelve gates of heaven, Mary is the royal entrance to that celestial country, the gate par excellence. O august and holy Gate! Jesus leads His Mother by the hand, up to the very Throne of God: "Behold, O Father, her with whom Thou art associated by Thy choice of her as My Mother-to give me my humanity!" And the Father therewith crowns her with her threemost beautiful titles: Queen, Mother, and Mediatrix. But in Mary's diadem, there are three pearls that shine with an even more dazzling brightness-the pearls of her humility, of her poverty, and of her suffering. MEDITATION We have three days to continue to prepare for our consecration promise there are "three most beautiful titles" to pray for in connection to Mary's Triumph. The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love. St. Peter Julian Eymard gives us three images of Mary to reflect on, "three most beautiful titles: Queen, Mother, and Mediatrix." Three more thoughts from St. Peter Julian, "In Mary's diadem there are three pearls that shine with an even more dazzling brightness- the pearls of her humility, of her poverty, and of her suffering." St. Peter Julian Eymard reminds us that the spirit of God descended upon Our Lady. We will see Mary with ever greater light as we look at the pearl of her humility. This pearl of Mary's Crown will radiate her love unto us, her children. Our Lady has had a great place in our Consecration Preparation. She will keep us in the divine light. We need to keep close to her maternal care. Our Catholic Catechism teaches us that, "Our moral life has its source in faith in God who reveals his love to us." Mary had full confidence in God's Love. Her faith is the faith she longs for us to have. Mary was entrusted with the heavenly Father's Son. She entered into the mystery of God's love by an interior movement of the natural love written on her heart. Mary's total submission is to the Creator of her soul or the moral life, the life of God's goodness, who is All Good and deserving of our love. St. Peter Julian considers Mary, as Queen, to be one of the most beautiful titles. Mary is Queen for she is the mother of the royal family, God's family. Jesus is King and Mary is the Queen who stands at the Gate of Heaven, the entrance to the supremacy of our lives, which is Heaven. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth and holiness overshadowed Our Lady with the divine power. Mary handed over Her will to the Glory of God and became the handmaid of her Lord by her yes. Humble submission to God could only come from Mary's faith in the Father. Our Lady knew by this faith that empowered her heart that there was another place other than this world- the world of God which her heart entered by its connection to the favor she knew was upon her. Our Blessed Mother trusted in God as her Father. Her faith came from the trust that Her humility was offered through trust, and She was offered the title of Queen. This is Mary's triumph, her humility! Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament's pearl of humility, a diadem in her crown, granted her the title of Queen. Queen Mary of the greatest of all in faith to the Holy Trinity chosen for us in the Promise of Our Father, pray for us your consecrated children. SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass. The faith you place in the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and try to receive the Sacrament of Penance before your consecration day. Ponder and pray on the faith of Our Blessed Mother, her entrance into the mystery of salvation and her humility. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. St. Peter Julian Eymard Apostle of the Eucharist, pray for us. Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, have Mercy on us. -Laura Please continue the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout this week. PRAYER Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.) Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of Heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of peace. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be freed from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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By: Laura Worhacz Consecration Week Theme: MARY'S TRIUMPH
READING -THIRTIETH DAY- Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 165-171 (Or pages 157-162 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/157/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: Mary's Triumph On the day of her glorious Assumption into heaven, Mary received the crown of all her graces. Truly we should rejoice, for, although our Mother has been taken from us, we have not lost her. We simply send her before us to prepare our place in heaven and acquire for us certain rights over the Heart of God. The triumph of Mary is also the triumph of Jesus. Jesus loved his mother so much, Mary died of love; the longing to see her Son and to be re-united with Him snapped her thread of life. Jesus is now to accord her a grand triumph. Jesus himself introduces His Mother to the glorified state; He owes her compensation. She enters by a special gate, open for her alone. If the twelve Apostles are the twelve gates of heaven, Mary is the royal entrance to that celestial country, the gate par excellence. O august and holy Gate! Jesus leads His Mother by the hand, up to the very Throne of God: "Behold, O Father, her with whom Thou art associated by Thy choice of her as My Mother-to give me my humanity!" And the Father therewith crowns her with her three most beautiful titles: Queen, Mother, and Mediatrix. But in Mary's diadem, there are three pearls that shine with an even more dazzling brightness-the pearls of her humility, of her poverty, and of her suffering. Mary was the most humble of all creatures, consequently, in heaven, she is now the most glorious. The demon has been forced to acknowledge that he is never sure of victory so long as he whom Mary protects retains a breath of life. She supplicates, importunes and snatches, as it were, from God the graces of mercy and pardon for the most hardened sinners. It was God's Will that Mary should suffer a continual martyrdom. Simeon's prophecy poisoned all her joy. From the moment of its utterance, Mary substituted for Jesus while He was still too young to suffer publicly. In a word, God has crowned Mary with glory and honor as the Masterpiece of His love. He alone is greater than she: "Solo tonante minor!" But, in the midst of her glory, Mary never forgets that she is our Mother. She ascended to heaven before us to facilitate our entrance there and to conduct us thither. She herself will come for us at that supreme moment of our lives- the hour of our death- if we only summon to her aid! (abbreviated text) MEDITATION Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, in the beginning, is now and ever will be forever. Amen. Today is the final day of our Chapter reflections. We will continue to prepare this week for the recitation of our consecration promise. The consecration can be read privately or in a group, which would be an added blessing. Our Lady is sending us off with the concluding title in Chapter Thirty, Mary's Triumph. St. Peter Julian Eymard can attest to these words in his founding of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The Congregation currently blesses the Catholic Church with priests, brothers, sister servants and lay aggregates throughout the world. St. Peter Julian knew precisely what Mary's triumph would offer those who love her, "The Triumph of Mary is also the triumph of Jesus." Our Blessed Mother has only one desire and that is to bring us closer to Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. Mary's hope would be for the Consecration Preparation to inspire us to make holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament a weekly prayer routine. Mary has taken us somewhere through the life of St. Peter Julian Eymard. In our time of preparation, we have made a promise to remain close to Mary so that she may guide our lives as the good mother she is into the heart of Jesus Christ. When Jesus triumphs in our lives, Mary's is triumphant. "Mary died of love; the longing to see her Son and to be re-united with Him snapped her thread of life." This statement by St. Peter Julian is so powerful. We hear in it detachment from the things of this world, not detachment from love, to the things of this world. Mary "snapped" her thread of life. May our consecration promise give us a glimpse into this kind of love for God so that we will strive through this earthly pilgrimage to snap out of this life into Heaven. This is Mary's grand triumph! St. Peter Julian continues to give us this visual to desire holiness, "If the twelve Apostles are the twelve gates of heaven." The twelve give their lives in testimony to the life in Jesus Christ. This is the mission of the church from the beginning and our continued mission as consecrated children of Mary. The Apostles, by the twelve gates, make their entrance way into the divine light of Heaven where Mary is the "gate per excellence." This seems like an invitation into the gate of heaven by the Heart of our Mother. Mary guides us through this life and carries us into eternity by her way of love. St. Peter Julian offers us this thought that inspires us to cling to our good Mother, "The demon has been forced to acknowledge that he is never sure of victory so long as he whom Mary protects retains a breath." Jesus assures us, "I will not now speak many things with you. For the prince of this world cometh, and in me, he hath not anything" (John 14:30). The darkness has no power over the light. God's Triumph comes to us in following His Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. God's triumph comes to us in the gift of the Lady of Light, who will keep us free from all that will try to darken our hearts. We should cling to Mary. We who will consecrate our lives to Her will be reunited with Jesus in the fullness of His eternal glory. St. Peter Julian confirms this thought, "Mary never forgets that she is our Mother. She ascended to heaven before us to facilitate our entrance there and to conduct us thither. She herself will come for us at that supreme moment of our lives- the hour of our death-if we only summon to her aid!" Mother keep us close to you! Time to prepare. Our preparation continues throughout this week until the day of our Consecration. Mary's triumph will live through her consecrated children, we who keep Jesus Eucharistic alive and well and with us through the testimonies of our lives. We live our faith by the example of God's love made manifest through us. We cannot give whom we do not have. We need to keep our love for Holy Communion at the center of our lives by the Sacramental or Spiritual reception of Jesus. The Consecration Promise too must be kept alive, not filed or set aside for next time, but renewed with hope daily. It would be suggested to add a prayer to your day so that you can recall what we have done throughout these preparation days. You may simply take on the prayer to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament daily. By this offering, you will keep the relationship that you have formed well nourished. The consecration promise will be as real to your heart as you keep it. We will be consecrated to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, what greater gift can we receive? And we will still receive more in Jesus Eucharistic. St. Peter Julian concludes with this thought, "In a word, God has crowned Mary with glory and honor as the Masterpiece of His glory and honor as the Masterpiece of His love. He alone is greater than she: "Solo tonante minor!"" Mary's triumph of love continues through our consecrated lives of love to Jesus through her. The Promise of the Father will shine through us by Mary. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4) The triumph of Mary is also the triumph of Jesus. St. Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist, pray for us. SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass. The faith you place in the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. If you are able, recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary aloud. Ponder which verse if most prominent to you right now and pray on what Our Lady may be calling you to do. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. -Laura PRAYER Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.) Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of Heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of peace. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be freed from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. By: Laura Worhacz Consecration Week Theme: MARY'S TRIUMPH
READING -TWENTY-NINTH DAY- Consecration to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament St. Peter Julian Eymard, Library Vol. 7 Pages 159-164 (Or pages 152-157 on the online book. You can find the link here:) http://archive.org/stream/monthofourladyof00eymauoft#page/152/mode/1up St Peter Julian Eymard's words: Chapter title: The Perfect Servant of The Blessed Sacrament "Behold the handmaid of the Lord!" Her whole life was passed serving Him in the most perfect manner. She is the perfect model in our Eucharistic service. Her service in the cenacle sums up her whole life. The spirit of a servant of Jesus is thus defined; devoted love to the Blessed Sacrament in the spirit and virtues of the Blessed Virgin. Devotedness longs for one thing only, and that is to give pleasure and to fulfill its duty. Our Lord does not ask us to serve Him in the outside world, not even in souls; but He says to us: "To ascend My throne of love, I must have adorers. Without such, I cannot be solemnly exposed. You will be attached to My Person; you will exist for Me, as I shall live for you. You shall go so far as totally to renounce your own will, for I want it for Myself. Renounce your personal interests, I will assume them." A king desires to build up the the fortune of his subjects, though he does not tell them what he is going to do. So the field that we have to cultivate is our Lord Himself, Him alone. He retains us for Himself and commits Himself to our care. And the reward of this devotedness? It is to live near the King, to please Him, to be His favorites. Ah, let us serve Him for His own glory and efface ourselves in everything! This devotedness ought, then, to be the devotedness of pure love, pure Eucharistic love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This love should absorb all else to become associated with the Eucharist! To become one of the staff of Jesus Christ! What is there greater on earth or in heaven? Love flies; it loves the service of Jesus better than its own repose, its own gratification. When we do not love, we do not want to go too fast, we delay our steps. But, like Mary, let us fly to the service of adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist who is waiting for us. The service of our Lord is, therefore, a duty for us as it was for Mary. You are called to serve Him and not yourself. Let us be true servants of the Blessed Sacrament, as Mary was; servants who have no longer any other interests, no longer any personality, who are entirely consumed in the service of Jesus. What a beautiful title is this-the "handmaid," the servant of the Lord. It is the only one that she gave herself. Ah if anyone should be humble and devoted it is the servant of the Lord! Adoration is the sum total of her whole life. Therefore, to serve Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, after the example of our Lady of the Cenacle, and as she did- there is the life of the true servant. His motto is: "All for the service of Jesus Eucharistic, in union with Mary!" Abbreviated text MEDITATION "Love flies; it loves the service of Jesus better than its own repose, its own gratification." St. Peter Julian is surely expressing his own life in the Eucharist here as he expresses love for Our Lady. Make your life a living prayer. This will be our lives after our consecration promise. Everything we do should be silently entwined in our union with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament through Mary. Our Lady is the Handmaid of the Lord, for she served Jesus perfectly. She adores him from the womb to His glorified life, and still adores Him with us in His Eucharistic life. When we ask Mary to clothe us in the virtues of her love we are asking her to clothe us in the hidden life of Jesus Eucharistic. Mary is the perfect servant of the Blessed Sacrament. Why? Because Mary worships her son, she adores God. St. Peter Julian sees this in Mary, "Renounce your personal interests, I will assume them." The scriptures confirm St. Peter Julian's word through Isaiah, " The Light of Israel will become a fire, the Holy One, a flame, that burns and consumes its briers and its thorns in a single day." (Isaiah 6:17) Mary's graces are multiplied. She is inviting us to trust in the fact that all we need will be given to us and so much more when we serve Jesus Eucharistic. The grace-filled strength this lowly handmaid encompasses in her soul can only come from the grace of God. Mary is the perfect servant, for after her worship she cares for her children, you and me. This is her daily duty. St. Peter Julian tells us we need to be attached to Jesus' person in the Blessed Sacrament. The grace we need to carry out our own daily duties, whatever they may be, needs to flow from our life in the Eucharistic Lord through the heart of our Mother. St. Peter Julian tells us we need not serve the world. Our devotion needs to be serving Jesus Eucharistic. Our service will then take flight through His love and fly! When we enter into the mystery of God's love more deeply St. Peter Julian reminds us that we will not know where He will take us, "Though he does not tell them what he is going to do." Jesus simply asks us to be devoted. His life in us will then manifest in all we do; "To become associated with the Eucharist! to become one of the staff of Jesus Christ! What is there greater on earth or in heaven?" We will serve Jesus most perfectly when we serve Him with Mary. Children who love their mom want to emulate her, to be like her for all that she gives. We who are Mary's children must meditate on her heart, emulate the love that comes from it, and give back for all that she sacrifices. We do not know where He will take us nor do we know the hour or moment in which He will come to us." Therefore, stay awake,for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matt. 25:13) But we do know He has prepared a place for us; " And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13) Mary, help us to love. Lead us to be perfect servants of the Blessed Sacrament. Help us to enter into the mystery of God's love. Jesus wants us to adore Him because He loves us so much. Our time with Him is our only way to salvation. Jesus knows we need the graces that flow from his Eucharistic Heart. Take this grace from His Eucharistic Heart and apply it to your own life. Pray when you are before the Blessed Sacrament, St. Peter Julian suggests to let your prayer flow from adoring, to Thanksgiving, to forgiveness, and lastly, to intercessions. Ask how to love Jesus more. Pray deeply for the duties your life is calling you to and how you can bring your Eucharistic love into your day by never separating from the presence of God within you. St. Peter Julian tells us that, "Adoration is the sum total of her whole life." If Adoration is the sum of Mary's whole life, this means adoration never left her. Mary brought adoration into her whole life. This is how life becomes a living prayer. We have been given an invitation to make a fervent Spiritual Communion if we cannot attend daily Mass. This practice is an entrance into a life of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. If your state in life does not offer you even a small opportunity to sit before the Eucharist, sit at home. Make your home a house of prayer. It may cost you some sleep but rise and pray. Make a holy hour at home, or a holy half hour or even twenty minutes. Set a routine and follow it as best as you can. Never despair if your day does not allow you time, just begin again. God may be calling you to care for your children or loved ones. If this is His Will, be at peace and remember we only strive to offer prayer. The call to build Eucharistic communities is essential for the restoration of all that is lost. The consecration promise is the handing over of our will to the will of God. If we long to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, He will find a way for us to be with him. We do need to persevere in this desire for holiness. It is our choice, a choice that will be blessed by His grace. St. Peter Julian sums it up himself with these most important words, "All for the charity of Jesus Eucharistic, in union with Mary!" SEND Make a perpetual promise to recite a spiritual communion prayer if you cannot get to daily Mass. The faith you place in the prayer is the grace you will receive from it. Continue to journal and prepare for a good and humble confession. Pray today on all that your daily duties ask you, how you can add some more prayer time and what you will need to give up to offer that time to Jesus. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. -Laura PRAYER For this concluding week of our preparation to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, we will pray together the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. All of the prayers of preparation can become part of your daily or weekly devotions. Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world: Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.) Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Singular vessel of devotion, Mystical rose, Tower of David, Tower of ivory, House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of Heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of angels, Queen of patriarchs, Queen of prophets, Queen of apostles, Queen of martyrs, Queen of confessors, Queen of virgins, Queen of all saints, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of peace. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, that we Thy servants may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be freed from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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AuthorsWe are Ivonne J. Hernandez, Rick Hernandez and Laura Worhacz, Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and brothers and sisters in Christ. |