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Young people pray as a priest holds the monstrance during adoration in 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. (CNS photo/courtesy FOCUS)
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON – Spending time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an opportunity “to reflect on something at the very heart of our faith – the enduring presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington said March 8.
“As we make our way along our Lenten pilgrimage ... we come together to recognize the presence of Jesus, not just in his words, not just in his actions, but in his enduring presence in the Eucharist,” Cardinal Wuerl said.
Cardinal Wuerl made his remarks during a Mass in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington to open the national shrine’s observance of “24 Hours for the Lord.” A worldwide initiative to encourage adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, “24 Hours for Lord” was introduced by Pope Francis during the 2016 Year of Mercy. It has since become an annual Lenten event organized by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.
Cardinal Wuerl called the Eucharist “bread that contains eternal life for those who eat it” and “a perpetual memorial to Christ’s death and resurrection.”
Stressing “the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” the cardinal reminded those in the Crypt Church that “wherever the Sacrament is, there Christ is. Jesus chose to be with us (in the Blessed Sacrament) out of love for us.”