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GOD SPEAKS DURING THE EUCHARIST AND GRANTS A LIGHT IMPERVIOUS TO DEMONS

Let's remember in these trying times that we get clarity -- and lose our fear -- through the sacraments. Fear comes only if we're lacking in prayer. And there's no more powerful prayer than Communion. The Blessed Mother points to the Eucharist and this has been true since the very onset of the Age of Mary.

That age began in 1830 with the Miraculous Medal apparitions in France to St. Catherine Laboure. 

Many associate St. Catherine only with apparitions of Our Blessed Mother, but she also had visions of the Lord. She saw Him in the Blessed Sacrament. She saw His image every time she entered the chapel during the nine months of her novitiate.

And  numerous are the saints who had such transcendental experiences at Mass.

It was in the church known as San Damiano -- a little, half-ruined chapel below the city of Assisi -- that St. Francis had one of his greatest experiences. He used to pray before a large Byzantine crucifix that hung over the altar in that dark little structure. And his words were ones we should all adopt. "Great and glorious God, my Lord Jesus Christ! I implore Thee to enlighten me and to disperse the darkness of my soul! Give me true faith and firm hope and a perfect charity! Grant me, oh Lord, to know Thee so well that in all things I may act in Thy Light, and in accordance with Thy holy will!"

St. Francis didn't seek the future in fortunetellers. He took himself to a humble church and prayed before the Cross. "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth!" he would fervidly say.

And that simple, faithful act was to permanently change the Church -- for it was at San Damiano that a voice came from the crucifix and said, "Now go hence, Francis, and build up My house, for it is nearly falling down!"

St. Francis listened. He had faith. He exercised obedience. 

God speaks to us in such simplicity. He arrives in our hearts and spirits. My point is that it's in church that we should most seek the supernatural. 

The highest form of mysticism is union with God, and the quickest way to union is through the Eucharist. 

Such union is not always something dramatic. It's what we experience when our hearts are at peace. It's what comes after speaking silently with Jesus. 

Does that mean apparitions and the like are unimportant? Hardly! But they must be coupled with the Eucharist. Participation in Mass is participation in an actual miracle. This perception was held by the great Teresa of Avila. It was during Mass that St. Teresa received the inspiration to start a convent and once, during elevation of the Host, the saint was in such an enraptured state that she could see the Virgin on her right and St. Joseph to her left. They were clothing her with a "great whiteness and brightness" and St. Teresa felt Our Blessed Mother place a gold necklace around her neck.

The gold and stones were different from any on earth, their beauty beyond normal coloration. It sounded like what we hear from those who have near-death experiences.

Another time, St. Teresa saw demons on all sides but also a great light that enveloped her and prevented the devils from getting near her. It made St. Teresa realize how little power evil spirits had when she was in union with the Spirit.

She also saw Our Savior. There were many times that she had visions of Jesus. "This is so," she wrote, "especially after Communion."

The majesty with which He arrived left no doubt as to Who He was and showed, said St. Teresa, "how trifling is the power of the devils in comparison"!      

Do you feel threatened? Has your family come under attack?

Plead the Blood. Know with faith that nothing can touch you after you have been shielded by the Blessed Sacrament.  

[Adapted from Secrets of the Eucharist]