In all my years as a convert, I've learned many prayers. It was during a most difficult time in my life that I learned to offer up the Eucharist for someone else.

Our parish was going through a consolidation and my husband and I were struggling not only with the changes, but with some of the people involved. I was pregnant with our daughter and my emotions were raw.

I felt unworthy to receive the Eucharist because of my feelings towards the people we were working with, but I had a concern for our baby's health so I offered up my Communion for her.

We eventually left the parish. It was never a question of leaving the Catholic Church, but of finding one where we could practice our faith again without distraction. We wanted to heal from the lies and disrespect. It took a while, but we were able to move on.

What was the result of offering up the Eucharist for our daughter? She is an adult now who attends Mass, practices and defends her faith.

When another family member experienced a crisis recently, I remembered the most powerful prayer and I offered up my Communion for them also. That person is now in the process of healing.

"Offering Up the Eucharist for Someone Else" by Pam Spano for CatholicMom.com Photo by lcb (2015) via Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain.

On the Feast day of St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1), I read these words of this great saint in the Magnificat:

"If you desire to find him immediately, see - he is quite close to you. Tell him what you desire, for it is to console you and grant your prayer that he remains in the tabernacle."

And this:

... hear Mass every day; practice mental prayer and the visitation of the most Holy Sacrament; go to Communion at least once a week; fly from evil conversations; walk always with God; and you shall see that, by such a life, you will enjoy that sweetness and peace which the world, with all it delights, has not hitherto been able to give you.

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Since I've had the opportunity to attend daily Mass, I've been offering up my communion for various people. One day, as I approached the altar, I asked the Lord to save a small piece just for me.

Have you ever offered up your communion for anyone else? Were you able to witness the results?

Copyright 2016 Pam Spano