A pilgrimage to Orvieto, the hilltop town of a Eucharistic miracle

by | Nov 18, 2021 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Blessed Sacrament, Eucharist, Miracles, Pilgrimage

V. M. Traverso – published on 11/17/21 Just one hour from Rome, Orvieto is a living testament to the town’s vibrant Catholic history. Built on top of a volcanic cliff in rural Umbria, Orvieto is one of central Italy’s most charming hilltop towns. Its name derives from Latin urbs vetus (“old city”), referring to the early human settlements built here dating back to Paleolithic times.  The Christian history of the city officially started in the 11th century with the construction of San Giovenale Church (1004), built on a pre-existing paleo-Christian church that was built on the site of an even earlier Etruscan temple. Indeed, most buildings in Orvieto are built over pre-existing Etruscan sites. The city was actually constructed over an intricate system of Etruscan era cave tunnels dating back 2,500 years. Some historians believe that early Christians used some of these underground structures to celebrate Mass away from the public eye back when Christianity was forbidden.  During the 12th century the town signed an agreement with the pope and became part of the Vatican State, and Pope Urban IV (1195-1264) temporarily moved his residency to Orvieto.  It was during this time that one of the most significant events for the...

US Bishops Foster Eucharistic Devotion with New Document

by | Nov 18, 2021 | Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Blessed Sacrament, Catechesis, Conversion, Courage of the Truth, Eucharist, Eucharistic Congress, Moral Responsibility, Sin & Repentance, Sin and Forgiveness, The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

CHURCH UNITED STATES BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE EUCHARIST The Bishops of the United States vote to approve a document entitled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church”, and link it to a pastoral plan for Eucharistic renewal. By Devin Watkins US Bishops are calling on American Catholics to “enter more deeply by faith and love” into the Mystery of Mysteries, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Meeting for the Fall General Assembly of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Bishops on Wednesday approved a document dedicated to the Eucharist with a secret electronic vote of 222 in favor and 8 against, with 3 abstentions – an overwhelming consensus of over 95%. Entitled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” the document is divided into two sections: “Christ’s gift of Himself in the Eucharist and our response to that gift.” According to USCCB president Archbishop José Gómez, the document is closely linked to a separate initiative to promote Eucharistic renewal, including plans for a National Eucharistic Congress in the summer of 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Returning to the Table of the Lord The Eucharistic document seeks to remind Catholics of...

Hoy es la fiesta de San Pedro Julián, apóstol de la Eucaristía

by | Aug 2, 2020 | Eucharist, Saints

La Iglesia celebra hoy, 2 de agosto, a San Pedro Julián Eymard (1811-1868), fundador de la Congregación del Santísimo Sacramento, a quienes se les conoce como sacramentinos.    Pedro Julián nació en La Mure, Grenoble, Francia, en 1811. La pobreza de su familia lo obligó a trabajar desde muy joven al lado de su padre. A los 12 años, Pedro Julián hizo  la primera comunión, a partir de la cual mostraría un interés creciente por la vida consagrada. Lamentablemente, su padre se oponía a una posible vocación religiosa y deseaba que permaneciera trabajando con él. Inicialmente, Pedro Julián cumplió con el deseo de su padre, pero gracias a la ayuda de un sacerdote consiguió educarse de manera gratuita, mostrando gusto por las materias de estudio, especialmente por el latín. Sería por esos años que su madre moriría. Luego, con autorización de su padre, ingresó a la casa de los Padres Oblatos en Marsella para continuar su educación. En 1828 ingresó al seminario y fue ordenado sacerdote a los 23 años, en 1834. Para ese entonces, ya había quedado huérfano: su padre había muerto unos años antes de su ordenación.    En 1839, con el permiso de su obispo, el...