At Lourdes, even Mary has stepped aside to make way for Christ.
There is no place in the world where Christ in the Eucharist is more
glorified. The procession of the Eucharist by candlelight is the high
point of each day. Here the pilgrims are joined in faith, and all the
countries of the world are united as the procession winds from the
grotto to show that Jesus is the Gift of the Virgin Mary. Now she stands
at the side of her Son so that He may console.
The Eucharist in our churches and in our shrines creates a world of
its own. It breathes an atmosphere of faith, love, hope and hospitality.
Most of us who do not live sheltered lives find ourselves between the
noisy, worldly, excited environment in which we are forced to live and
the peaceful presence of the Eucharist. The Eucharist obliges us
worldlings to build for ourselves an inner retreat, an underground
refuge. We have lost much ground. As the poet says, "the world is too
much with us." We have forgotten the necessity for the delicate balance,
and the noise has consumed us. We can retrace our steps, I suppose, if
we get rid of all that distracts us from Christ. There are too many
plans and programs and directives I would think. When Pius X was asked
his program, he pointed to the cross and said, "That is my program." So
the Eucharist is our program, our directive. We must tear down the walls
that have estranged us from the prayer of the Eucharist in our churches
to bring Christ near to us.
An Audience With JesusMsgr. John F. Davis