The Sacrament of Love

Deanna Bartalini discusses how a quote of Saint Katharine Drexel can help us understand the Eucharist today.

Today is the feast of Saint Katharine Drexel, born on November 26, 1858. In 1889 she entered the Sisters of Mercy as a postulant. Her plan, though, was to start a congregation devoted to the education and care of African Americans and Native Americans. In 1891, she professed her final vows and founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She believed in the power and necessity of the Eucharist and the love contained within it. That it gave her then, and still gives the congregation today, their central focus. It is in, and through the love of, the Eucharist that the Sisters are able to do the work before them.

Though we are not Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the same need for the Eucharist to guide us applies to our own life as members of the body of Christ. Saint Katharine said,

The Eucharist is a never-ending sacrifice. It is the Sacrament of love, the supreme love, the act of love.

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I cannot fathom where I would be without the Eucharist. It is what sustains me and my faith. It helps me love others. Saint Katharine says, “the Eucharist is a never-ending sacrifice.” Much of life feels like it is a never-ending sacrifice. Being part of a family, caring for our children, grandchildren, and aging parents: how can we do it all without losing love? Sacrifice without love becomes a burden and changes us. Instead of growing in humility and surrendering, we may become angry and controlling.

The answer is Jesus in the Eucharist. He is our example, giving up His very life so that we can enter Heaven. And in case that wasn’t enough to help our faith, He leaves a tangible reminder of Himself for us. I barely understood this as a child; I had a glimpse that I needed Jesus as a teen. But marriage and motherhood were when I learned how much I needed Him. By the grace of God, that is when I learned about Eucharistic Adoration. The peace that came from spending time there was like nothing else. Of course, the fact that it was quiet helped. Back then, I was an elementary school teacher and mom of two little ones, so there was rarely any quiet, even in my mind. Sunday Mass was a challenge at times, but that moment of receiving Jesus meant He was with me for another week, giving me His love and helping me give love to others.

The moment of receiving Jesus meant He was with me for another week, giving me His love and helping me give love to others. #CatholicMom

That is why we need the Eucharist. Both in receiving and adoring. My house is very quiet now and I can spend an hour in prayer with no interruptions. But I still go to the Adoration Chapel. The quiet there is different. It is deeper, holds more possibilities, and I can see Jesus. My focus is better; nothing else demands my attention except the One in front of me. And then I am able to go and sacrifice with love.

During this Eucharistic Revival, how can you look to the Eucharist as your source of love and allow it to help you live out your vocation?

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