"I do not know," the pastor had said, "whether she will see the
Saviour today." This occurs only when she has passed the night in
expiatory suffering. Then she can receive an entire host, although
ordinarily she swallows a small part with difficulty. The parish Mass
was over now and the pastor took his time, even though his little lamb
was almost passing away with longing for the sacred food. I almost felt
like begging him in sympathy to hurry. First the children were dismissed
in order, and I do not know what else was done in the church. Only then
did he put on a surplice and stole and finally appear at the corner of
the altar, holding the white host above the ciborium. Although she was
tiredly leaning over the kneeling-bench before, now she sat upright with
her hands respectfully folded, waiting in adoration.
"He nodded to me to come close to Therese's chair for the most
sacred moment. This I could easily do without being noticed by her. I
knelt alongside her, about a step from her, so that I could see and
observe everything. The priest came a step nearer. Therese in a rapture
opened both arms wide and stretched them toward the Sacred Host. Her
eyes were not directed to the host but to a Figure which I could not
see. She can see the Saviour Himself, the Risen One, whom I see only
under the veil of bread. Fully a minute, if not longer, the priest stood
still and I used the time to calmly and carefully see and observe all
as well as to impress it on my mind."
The Story of Therese NeumannAlbert Paul Schimberg
Reprinted from
Witness Ministries,
a lay apostolate dedicated to renewing appreciation for the Mass as the
greatest gift which God has given to His beloved spouse, the Church.
Their mission is to show how, in the Eucharistic Liturgy, Jesus renews
and transforms us–and the world–in His life and love.