Gems from Laura's life

 

Today is the feast of Blessed Laura Vicuña, an amazing adolescent who, at such a tender age, had understood the meaning of true love. To remember Laura is a reminder for us FMAs:

1. to create educational environments where young people feel that they are truly loved and accompanied to undertake a journey to holiness;

2. to not be afraid of proposing high ideals to young people because they have a great heart capable of aiming high;

3. to appreciate the simple elements of our Salesian spirituality: joy and service in everyday life; friendship with Jesus, nourished by His Word and by the Eucharist; the sacrament of Reconciliation; the living presence of Mother Mary;

4. to believe in the young. With them, we are called to be missionaries of hope and of joy.

More than a memory

The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus. It is not a symbol; not a representation.
The Eucharist is truly Jesus who gives Himself as food for our journey. So that we won't feel alone.
Ronald Rolheiser speaks of the Eucharist as "God's embrace". Yes, when we partake of the Eucharist, Jesus becomes a part of us: God's embrace, assuring us that we are not alone.
The Eucharist is a very special gift. God knows that love is not a theory to be understood. Love is an experience that needs to touch our senses, human as we are. So Jesus allows Himself to come to us in the form of bread.
The Eucharist is a mystery we can never fully grasp. We can only bow our heads in humble gratitude.

Panis Angelicus

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist. John's Gospel says that Jesus, "having loved those who were his in the world, loved them to the end."
Yes, the Holy Eucharist, Jesus' real presence is the greatest expression of Jesus' love for us, "the Bread of the Angels, made the bread of men".



English translation of the Latin text:
Bread of Angels,
made the bread of men;
The Bread of heaven
puts an end to all symbols:
A thing wonderful!
The Lord becomes our food:
poor, a servant, and humble.
We beseech Thee,
Godhead One in Three
That Thou wilt visit us,
as we worship Thee,
lead us through Thy ways,
We who wish to reach the light
in which Thou dwellest.
Amen.