“The Gift of the Eucharist”

On Jan. 28, thirty-six participants from across Oklahoma attended the Day of Reflection: “The Gift of the Eucharist,” at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee.

Brother Damian Whalen, O.S.B., who led this Day of Reflection, explained the magnitude of the Holy Eucharist for Catholics. 

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Sacraments. It is a gift that keeps on giving. The gift and graces of the Eucharist will never be exhausted,” Brother Whalen said.

He explained, there is no greater gift God can give his Church than the Eucharist, and by receiving Holy Communion the faithful enter into union with God. To corroborate his argument, he cited Saint Augustine who said, [Through the Eucharist] “God wishes not only to vivify us but to divinize us.”

The retreat featured talks by Brother Damian, group discussions, times of silence and self-reflection on the personal meaning of the Eucharist and Q&A sessions. Diverse topics were addressed, such as the Eucharist as a complete self-gift of Jesus and his desire to receive complete self-giving from his Church members in return, the Eucharist as the channel of God’s graces meant for the sanctification of the Church and each believer, the importance of receiving the Holy Communion with the greatest attention and reverence, the Eucharist as the cause that keeps the entire Church in existence and the Catholic vocation to be in union with God. 

The participants shared their personal experiences that emphasized the Catholic faith is not only a belief but a personal encounter with God in the Eucharist. Also, the importance of witness, example and teaching the Eucharist as God’s gift was discussed as a way to draw young people to Christ. 

“This Day of Reflection is a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of the Eucharist, to pray together, and think about ways to encounter Jesus more often,” said Atticus Hawke, a 16-year-old participant who traveled to the abbey with his parents from Broken Arrow. “It is absolutely worth the two-hour long drive here.” 

Other participants were similarly grateful for the blessing of the retreat. Angie Zalenski from Del City, a first-time participant at the retreat, said, “It is important to set aside time dedicated to building the relationship with Christ, sharing faith with others and knowing that you are not alone on your faith journey.” 

Speaking about the Eucharist, she asserted, “What I love about Catholicism is we don’t only preach, but we practice. We need to witness to Christ and see him first place in the Blessed Sacrament.” 
Extending her encouragement to others, she said, “Let Jesus know you haven’t forgotten him. To devote some time for him and speak to him as our friend during the adoration is the least we can do for all that he did for us.”

Brad and Beverly Mosman, oblates of Saint Gregory’s Abbey since the 1980s, were also in attendance. They are regular participants at the abby’s retreats. 

“The Eucharist is the source and the summit of our faith. We need to pay attention, open our eyes and not miss the opportunity to see and encounter Jesus in the Eucharist as he shares with us his body, blood, soul and divinity. The Eucharist is Jesus himself, not a symbol as other religions claim,” Brad said. “You can’t be more intimate with Jesus than when you consume his body.” 

Brad, who attends daily Mass, shared, “The Eucharist is always there for us, but it can become ordinary. The reverence of some people I encounter at the daily Mass enkindled anew my desire to understand the Eucharist better. I ask God for this grace.” 

Beverly agreed, “Seeing other Catholics being devoted to the Eucharist touches others, I also desire to encourage others by being more reverent myself.” 

Summarizing the Day of Reflection Brother Damian reiterated, “In the Eucharist Christ holds nothing back, and he wants us to hold back nothing as well.”

“Everything is temporary, but the Eucharist is the substance that will lead us where God wants us to be - to union with him,” he concluded. 

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.



Photo: Br. Damian Whalen, O.S.B. led a Day of Reflection on Jan. 28 at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee. Photo Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic.