November 23, 2025 • 27 mins
We trace how the Eucharist stands as the source and summit of Christian life and why the Mass is a living encounter, not a routine. Scripture, tradition, miracles, and practical steps for preparation and participation show how grace moves from altar to heart.
• mission and history of Journeys of Faith
• Eucharist as source and summit of Christian life
• scriptural foundations for real presence
• preparing heart and mind before Mass
• active participation of mind, body and soul
• liturgy of the Word as living dialogue
• offertory as personal surrender with Christ
• consecration and transubstantiation explained
• Eucharistic miracles that renew faith
• being sent as living tabernacles of love
Take the next step, deepen your encounter with the Eucharist
Embark on a virtual pilgrimage
Delve into our flagship book, This is my body, this is my blood, miracles of the Eucharist
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Visit our Catholic gift shop
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:11):
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Ryaldenhoven here at your
service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you.
And also, there's more to thisblog article.
From altar to heart,experiencing the summit of faith
in every mass.
(00:32):
There's a sacred rhythm thatpulses through the heart of
every Catholic liturgy, a rhythmcenturies old yet ever new.
For many, the journey todiscover the essence of this
faith is winding and filled withmoments of profound encounter,
echoing with the voices ofcountless pilgrims, saints, and
seekers before us.
At the very center of thisjourney stands the Eucharist,
(00:55):
described by the Church as thesource and summit of our faith.
These are not mere poetic words,but a lived reality for
generations who have found theirlives renewed at every mass.
The journeys of faith, ourmission is to bring these
transformative moments out ofdistant sanctuaries and into the
(01:15):
daily lives of Catholicseverywhere.
Founded in 1980 by Bob and PennyLord, after their own spiritual
awakening, our apostolate hascarried the stories of Catholic
tradition, its miracles, itsMarian encounters, the courage
of its saints to countlessfaithful through pilgrimage
media and literature.
Today, whether one stands beforean ancient altar in a Sisi or
(01:39):
kneels before a digital screenat home, the invitation is the
same to recognize in theEucharist the beating heart of
Catholic life.
In this article, we invite youto rediscover the Mass, not just
as a ritual, but as the livingsummit of our faith.
(02:01):
Together we'll explore how everycelebration of the Eucharist
invites us to a deeper communionwith Christ and with one
another, reinforcing bonds oftradition, community, and hope.
Whether you are a lifelongCatholic, a recent convert, or
someone longing to encounter Godmore intimately, let us journey
together from altar to heart,discovering how the summit of
(02:24):
our faith transforms everymoment, every soul it touches.
The Eucharist, source and summitof Christian life.
To understand the heartbeat ofCatholic worship, one must look
to the Eucharist, a mystery anda gift described by the Church
as the source and summit of theChristian life Lumen Gentium
(02:46):
eleven.
At every mass, heaven touchesearth through the simple forms
of bread and wine, but beneaththese humble signs faith reveals
a reality far richer, ChristHimself truly present, offering
His love anew to each soul.
The Eucharist is not simply aritual or memory, it is an
encounter, one that invites,nourishes, and sends forth.
(03:08):
Through the consecration thealtar becomes a threshold
between time and eternity.
The faithful, gathered as onebody, participate in the same
sacrifice offered on Calvary.
With every amen, believers areunited to Christ, receiving him
not only as spiritualnourishment, but as the very
(03:30):
source of strength, healing, andongoing transformation for daily
living.
Through this sacrament, thecommunity of believers is built
and renewed.
The Eucharist forms the church,drawing all closer in communion,
not just with the Lord, but withone another.
Each reception rekindles thecall to holiness and mission.
(03:50):
The saints, those radiantwitnesses who lived and loved
with heroic virtue, found theirstrength in frequent encounters
with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Throughout history, Eucharisticmiracles have underscored the
church's faith in this profoundmystery, hinting at heaven's
nearness in the midst of theworld's struggles and hopes.
(04:11):
To receive the Eucharist is tostand at the summit of Christian
existence.
It is the living heart ofCatholic devotion, a glimpse of
the eternal banquet where everylonging is fulfilled in the
embrace of the Savior.
Take the next step, deepen yourencounter with the Eucharist.
At Journeys of Faith, we believethe Mass is not just an event,
(04:33):
but the living heartbeat of ourCatholic identity, a sacred
encounter with Jesus trulypresent in the Eucharist.
If you long to move from simplyattending Mass to truly
experiencing the summit of faithin every celebration, we invite
you to journey deeper with us.
Here's how you can ignite yourlove for the Eucharist and carry
(04:55):
its graces into your daily life.
Embark on a virtual pilgrimage,explore our video pilgrimages to
sites of Eucharistic miraclesand Marian apparitions, sheep
each crafted to inspire awe,strengthen faith, and connect
you to the universal church.
Enrich your understanding.
Delve into our flagship book,This is my body, this is my
(05:18):
blood, miracles of theEucharist, and discover them
sure.
For our stories of how theEucharist has transformed lives
across centuries.
Connect with community.
Join our prayer network andexperience the beauty of praying
(05:39):
for and with others who shareyour devotion to the source and
summit of our faith.
Bring the sacred home, visit ourCatholic gift shop for
sacramentals and resources thatmake the mysteries of the altar
a reality in your own home.
Let journeys of faith walk withyou one mass, one miracle, one
heart at a time, toward a moreprofound love for Jesus in the
(06:02):
Eucharist.
Scriptural foundations of thereal presence.
The biblical roots of the realpresence of Christ in the
Eucharist ground our faith indivine revelation and sustain
the church's ancient liturgy.
From the very first pages ofScripture, God prepares his
people for the mystery ofcommunion, his desire to feed
(06:24):
and unite humanity with himself.
In the Old Testament, manna isgiven in the desert as true
bread from heaven.
He rained down manna for them toeat and gave them heavenly
bread.
Man ate the bread of angels,Psalm 78, 24 to 25.
Yet, as Jesus Himself remindsus, this miracle pointed beyond
(06:46):
itself, foreshadowing of foodnot merely for the body, but for
the soul.
This foreshadowing becomesfulfillment at the Last Supper
when our Lord speaks the wordsthat echo through every Catholic
Mass, take, eat, this is mybody.
Drink from it all of you, forthis is my blood of the
covenant.
(07:07):
Matthew 26, 26, 28.
Christ's declaration is notsymbolic but literal, inviting
us to trust in the mysteriouspower of his word, just as the
disciples did.
The Gospel of John deepens thismystery.
In chapter six, Jesus proclaims,I am the living bread that came
(07:28):
down from heaven.
Unless you eat the flesh of theSon of Man and drink his blood,
you have no life in you.
These words challenged even hisclosest followers, yet Jesus did
not soften his teaching.
Instead, he affirmed with aresolute, divine authority that
(07:51):
his flesh is true food and hisblood true drink.
John six fifty-five.
Saint Paul too attests to thereality and gravity of the
Eucharist.
Whoever therefore eats the breador drinks the cup of the Lord in
an unworthy manner will beguilty of profaning the body and
blood of the Lord.
(08:13):
Such language only makes senseif Christ's presence is real,
not merely symbolic.
Through these scriptures, theChurch's faith in the real
presence finds its unshakablecornerstone.
The Eucharist is truly thesource and summit of our faith,
investing every mass with asacred gravity that binds us
both to Jesus and to one anotherin an eternal covenant,
(08:38):
preparing your heart beforeMass.
Walking into the doors of thechurch, surrounded by familiar
faces and the gentle glow ofcandlelight, the Catholic
faithful are invited to the mostprofound encounter this side of
heaven, the Holy Mass.
The heart's preparation beforestepping into the sacred mystery
is not merely a ritual, it's apilgrimage of the soul.
(09:02):
The ancient wisdom of the churchcalls us to approach the
Eucharist, the source and summitof our faith, with hearts fully
awakened, minds recollected, andspirits open to grace.
Start with quiet.
In a world buzzing with noiseand distractions, allow silence
to be the threshold into thesacred.
Arrive a few moments early, findyour place in the pew, and spend
(09:26):
time in prayerful reflection.
Call to mind the intention forwhich you offer the Mass,
perhaps for a loved one, for theneeds of the church, or for your
own conversion.
This intention is your humbleoffering to join with Christ's
perfect sacrifice, and reflecton your week.
Bring to the Lord your joys andstruggles, successes and
failures, your gratitude andyour petitions.
(09:47):
Let the words of the confeder, Iconfess to Almighty God, be more
than just words recited, but agenuine examination of for a
conscience seeking mercy andhealing.
Consider what it means toapproach the Eucharist.
Saint Paul's exhortation in hisfirst letter to the Corinthians
(10:09):
rings true through thecenturies.
Examine yourself beforereceiving the body and blood of
Christ.
See a ferber Corinthians 11, 28.
This isn't just a moral checkup,it's a preparation to receive
the very heart of Jesus.
If you are aware of grave sin,seek the healing of the
sacrament of reconciliationbefore presenting yourself to
(10:33):
the altar.
Finally, recall that you aren'talone.
As the community gathers, ourprayers and voices join with the
saints and angels in heaven.
Each mass draws us out ofisolation and into communion, a
foretaste of the eternalbanquet.
Allow yourself to be drawn intothis mystery, open to the grace
that transforms, heals, andsends us forth.
(10:53):
In this way, the Eucharist willtruly become the summit where
heaven touches earth, and yourheart will be ready to receive
the living God.
Entering the mystery, whathappens at the altar?
As the celebration of the Massunfolds, every movement at the
altar invites us into the heartof the church's greatest
(11:14):
treasure.
The altar is far more than aplace of ritual.
It is the intersection whereheaven meets earth, where the
sacrifice of Calvary is madepresent anew.
Here the priest standing in theperson of Christ proclaims the
words of consecration, wordsfirst spoken by Jesus Himself at
(11:36):
the Last Supper.
Bread and wine, humble gifts ofcreation and the labor of human
hands are transformed by thepower of the Holy Spirit into
the body and blood of Christ.
In this moment the altar becomesa threshold to the eternal.
If we listen carefully, we canalmost hear the silent awe of
(11:57):
the apostles at that firstEucharist, the adoration of
saints and angels, the prayersof faithful souls across
centuries joining ours.
The Eucharist is not simply aremembrance or a symbol, it is
the source and summit of ourfaith.
In the silent majesty of thealtar, we witness Christ's total
gift of Himself, His love pouredout for the church and for each
(12:19):
of us.
We we um Gary Iberber Sanctuaryinvited not as distant observers
but as participants in thispaschal mystery, a mystery that
calls us out of routine anddraws us into communion with God
and one another.
Every mass is an encounter withthe living Christ.
(12:41):
The altar, clothed in white,covered in candles and flowers,
becomes the center of our livesas Catholics, uniting our joys
and sorrows with the perfectsacrifice of the Lamb.
Here, the mystery of faith isnot only proclaimed, it is
experienced, drawing us closerto the heart of God.
(13:01):
Active participation, mind,body, and soul.
To truly enter into the heart ofthe mass is to embrace a call
far deeper than mere attendance.
It is a call to total activeparticipation.
The church, guided by the wisdomof the magisterium, teaches that
genuine worship involves everydimension of our being, the
(13:24):
mind, the body, and the soul.
When the faithful gather toencounter Christ in the
Eucharist, we are invited tooffer ourselves wholly, echoing
the self-giving love we witnesson the altar.
Active participation beginswithin the mind.
We engage attentively withScripture, responding to the
mysteries proclaimed in theliturgy of the Word, the prayers
(13:45):
of the Mass become our own as wejoin in dialogue with God,
drawing upon centuries oldwisdom and tradition to inform
and mold our faith.
Each reading and responseinvites us to reflect, to be
transformed, and to grow inunderstanding of the mystery
that the Eucharist is the sourceand summit of our faith.
(14:07):
Our bodies too are drawn intothe sacred rhythm.
We stand, kneel, sit, bow, andmake the sign of the cross, all
outward expressions that uniteus with countless Catholics
across the world and throughouthistory.
Through these time honoredgestures we not only show
reverence but also physicallyenact our devotion, turning
(14:28):
posture into prayer.
Yet it is the soul that is mostprofoundly stirred.
During the consecration, as thebread and wine become the body
and blood of Christ, our heartsare invited to an interior
response, to awe, to gratitude,to adoration.
True participation meansbringing our hopes and
struggles, offering them uponthe altar, and allowing Christ's
(14:51):
presence in the Eucharist torenew us from within.
By uniting our minds, bodies,and souls in worship, we are
gently led deeper into thetransformation the Mass offers,
becoming more fully the peopleGod calls us to be.
The liturgy of the Word,listening with faith.
At every mass, after we gatheras a community and humble
(15:14):
ourselves before God, theliturgy of the word unfolds, a
sacred dialogue between the Lordand his people.
This moment extends far beyondsimply hearing readings.
It is an invitation to listenwith faith, letting the living
word of God penetrate ourhearts.
We stand at attention for theproclamation of the gospel,
acutely aware that these are notjust stories or instructions
(15:36):
from a distant past.
They are alive, God's voiceechoing through centuries,
reaching each of us in ourunique joys and struggles,
whether in the Old Testament'spromises and prophecies or the
letters and gospels that revealChrist Himself, every reading is
an outpouring of divine love andrevelation.
(15:58):
Listening with faith transformspassive hearing into active
reception.
The scriptures challenge,comfort, and call us to deeper
discipleship.
In following the church's cycleof readings, Catholics all over
the world are united,meditating, praying, and living
(16:19):
out the mystery of the Wordtogether.
When the priest or deacon breaksopen the word in the homily, it
is not merely exposition, it isa chance for the Holy Spirit to
ignite a response within us.
Do we receive God's message withopen hearts, allowing it to
disrupt our routines, renew ourthinking, and inspire us to
(16:44):
tangible action?
Each Mass offers a new summitfor our faith, to recognize
Christ is present not just inthe sacred text but in our own
lives.
To listen with faith is to trustthat God is speaking personally
and communally at every mass.
It prepares us for the nextawe-inspiring movement,
approaching the Eucharist, thevery source and summit of our
(17:07):
faith, made present on the altarfor each of us.
The offertory joining oursacrifices to Christ.
As the liturgy unfolds, theoffertory emerges as a moment
rich with spiritualsignificance, an invitation that
draws us beyond mere observationand into intimate participation.
(17:28):
The priest prepares the altar,offering bread and wine, and
with them we are called to placeour own gifts, burdens, and joys
before God.
This sacred exchange is notsimply symbolism or routine.
It is the heart of what it meansfor the church to be a living
sacrifice, echoing Saint Paul'surging it to present our bodies
(17:54):
and lives as a living sacrificeholy and pleasing to God.
Romans twelve one.
At the offertory, each member ofthe faithful is united in
purpose and surrender.
We are invited to interiorlyoffer our struggles,
thanksgiving, and hopesalongside the bread and wine.
(18:15):
Together these become more thanmaterial objects, they become
signs of our deep longing to beunited to Christ.
It is here that the teaching,the Eucharist is the source and
summit of our faith, shinesforth with luminous clarity.
By surrendering what is mostpersonal to the hands of Christ,
we participate in the mystery ofredemption.
(18:37):
Our daily labor, losses,relationships, and dreams find
their fulfillment andsanctification at this altar.
This act of joining our lives toChrist's sacrifice fosters
communion not only with the Lordbut also with the entire body of
Christ.
The offertory is a bridge thatspans the gaps of distance,
(18:58):
time, and circumstance, weavinginto individual intentions into
a single holy offering.
No gift is too small, no sorrowtoo obscure, melting into the
liturgy, our offerings aretransformed by Christ's love,
drawing us ever deeper into theinexhaustible wellspring of
grace that the Eucharistprovides.
(19:26):
Every time Catholics gather forMass, they witness a profound
mystery at the heart of theChristian faith as the priest
stands at the altar, repeatingthe words spoken by Christ at
the Last Supper.
This is my body, uh this is myblood.
The bread and wine are no longerordinary elements.
This sacred moment is known asthe consecration.
(19:49):
Consecration marks a transitionfrom the ordinary to the
extraordinary.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,acting through the priest, the
substance of bread and wine ischanged at its deepest reality.
The appearance, whatphilosophers call the accidents,
remain remains the same.
The bread still looks, tastes,and feels like bread.
The wine still looks and tasteslike wine.
(20:11):
But beneath those appearances,the church proclaims a miracle.
Jesus Christ Himself becomestruly present.
This moment is calledtransubstantiation, a word that
tries to capture the infinite inhuman terms.
Trans means change.
Substantiation refers tosubstance.
(20:32):
The essence of the bread andwine is transformed into the
very body and blood, soul anddivinity of Jesus Christ.
This is not symbolic, it is realand complete, a mystery that
surpasses our understanding, butdraws us ever nearer to the
heart of God.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch affirms this truth.
(20:55):
In the most blessed sacrament ofthe Eucharist, the body and
blood together with the soul anddivinity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and therefore the wholeChrist is truly, really, and
substantially contained.
CCC 1374.
This is why the Eucharist iscalled the source and summit of
(21:17):
our faith.
Within the humble form of breadand wine, heaven touches earth.
Christ offers himself to hispeople, just as he did on
Calvary.
Witnessing and participating inthis mystery invites Catholics
into deeper faith and awe.
The Mass is not a memory or anecho, it is the living, saving
action of Christ Himself,inviting all who are present
(21:40):
into intimate communion with theLord of life.
To step into the mystery of theMass is to enter a threshold
where heaven meets earth.
For two millennia, Catholicshave approached the altar not as
mere spectators, but asparticipants in something cosmic
and eternal.
The Mass is not simply aremembrance, it is an encounter,
(22:00):
a participation in the one, allsufficient sacrifice of Christ.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch declares the Eucharist is
the source and summit of theChristian life C C E C one three
two, you know, you know whywords that echo through every
(22:26):
liturgy, every whispered prayer,and every sung hymn.
Within the sacred signs andancient prayers, the veil
between time and eternity growsthin.
It is here that saints, angels,and the faithful on earth are
united in a single act ofadoration and thanksgiving.
The altar becomes a verydoorstep of heaven, the words of
consecration.
This is my body, this is myblood.
(22:48):
Do more than recall the upperroom.
They draw us into it, makingpresent the one sacrifice of
Jesus on Calvary.
The Mass reveals God's promiseto never leave his people, to
nourish them with himself.
It is Christ's real presence,body, blood, soul, and divinity
offered to us in humility.
This is why the church gathersday after day around the
(23:11):
Eucharist, to be fed,transformed, and sent forth.
In those sacred moments, everylonging heart discovers its true
home, and every mass becomes asummit where heaven's glory
touches earth's deepest needs.
Eucharistic miracles thatstrengthen belief.
For centuries the church hasbeen blessed with wondrous signs
(23:32):
that remind the faithful of aprofound truth.
The Eucharist is the source andsummit of our faith.
Across continents and throughages of doubt and wonder,
Eucharistic miracles have brokenthrough the ordinary, leaving
behind extraordinary testimonyto God's real presence among us.
(23:53):
In Lonciano, Italy, an eighthcentury priest, doubting
Christ's presence in theEucharist, witnessed a marvel at
the altar as the bread and winevisibly transformed into human
flesh and blood.
Modern science has analyzedthese relics, yet their essence
remains a mystery, an enduringcall to trust even when the
(24:13):
senses fail.
In other towns and villages,Bolsaina, Siena, Legnica,
crimson stains on linens,preserved hosts, and
unexplainable phenomena persistagainst the passage of
centuries.
Each miracle echoes the ancientrefrain from the gospel of John.
My flesh is true food, and myblood is true drink.
(24:36):
For those who wrestle withquestions or the maddening
monotony that can sneak into ourroutines of worship, these holy
events anchor us in awe andreverence.
They are not mere stories from adistant past.
They continue to inspirepilgrims and believers today,
nourishing the faith of thoselonging for renewed conviction.
(24:57):
Through church sanctionedinvestigations, these miracles
point beyond themselves,reminding us of the eternal
promise made manifest in everymass.
Christ Himself truly present,inviting us deeper into the
heart of divine love.
These miracles are not meantsimply to dazzle or astonish,
they are gifts, signs along thejourney that encourage the weary
(25:20):
soul and rekindle devotion.
In a world hungry for certaintyand hope, they stand as tangible
proofs the church treasures andgently shares, inviting each of
us to an intimate encounter withthe living God present in the
Eucharist.
Embracing the Eucharist, theheartbeat of our journey.
(25:41):
In the rhythm of Catholic life,every mass is both summit and
source, a moment when heavendescends into the everyday, and
we are invited to climb higherin our union with Christ.
When we gather at the altar, weare not mere spectators, but
participants in the greatestmiracle of our faith.
(26:02):
The Eucharist is the source andsummit of our faith, not just in
theology, but in lived reality.
It pulses at the center of ourjourney, nourishing us with
divine love and calling us todeeper community with God and
one another.
At Journeys of Faith we haveseen how encounters with the
Eucharistic Lord, whetherthrough the miracles chronicled
(26:24):
by Bob and Penny Lord or thesacred stories explored on
virtual pilgrimage reshape thesoul and anchor us in Catholic
tradition.
Each Mass, each moment beforethe Blessed Sacrament is a new
invitation to transformation.
As we leave the altar and returnto our daily lives, may we carry
the presence of Christ in ourhearts ready to become living
(26:47):
tabernacles of his love.
The summit we reach each Sundayis not an end, but the spark of
a journey renewed together andin him.
Explore our Holy Eucharistcollection.
Thank you, family, for listeningto Super Saints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
item and since there is more tothis article.
(27:10):
Finish reading and check out thespecial offer.
Visit JourneysofFaith.comwebsite today.
Hello family, welcome to Journeys of Faith
Super Saints Podcast at BrotherJoseph Ryaldenhoven here at your
service.
Be sure to look at thedescription for special
information of interest to you.
And also, there's more to thisblog article.
From altar to heart,experiencing the summit of faith
in every mass.
(00:32):
There's a sacred rhythm thatpulses through the heart of
every Catholic liturgy, a rhythmcenturies old yet ever new.
For many, the journey todiscover the essence of this
faith is winding and filled withmoments of profound encounter,
echoing with the voices ofcountless pilgrims, saints, and
seekers before us.
At the very center of thisjourney stands the Eucharist,
(00:55):
described by the Church as thesource and summit of our faith.
These are not mere poetic words,but a lived reality for
generations who have found theirlives renewed at every mass.
The journeys of faith, ourmission is to bring these
transformative moments out ofdistant sanctuaries and into the
(01:15):
daily lives of Catholicseverywhere.
Founded in 1980 by Bob and PennyLord, after their own spiritual
awakening, our apostolate hascarried the stories of Catholic
tradition, its miracles, itsMarian encounters, the courage
of its saints to countlessfaithful through pilgrimage
media and literature.
Today, whether one stands beforean ancient altar in a Sisi or
(01:39):
kneels before a digital screenat home, the invitation is the
same to recognize in theEucharist the beating heart of
Catholic life.
In this article, we invite youto rediscover the Mass, not just
as a ritual, but as the livingsummit of our faith.
(02:01):
Together we'll explore how everycelebration of the Eucharist
invites us to a deeper communionwith Christ and with one
another, reinforcing bonds oftradition, community, and hope.
Whether you are a lifelongCatholic, a recent convert, or
someone longing to encounter Godmore intimately, let us journey
together from altar to heart,discovering how the summit of
(02:24):
our faith transforms everymoment, every soul it touches.
The Eucharist, source and summitof Christian life.
To understand the heartbeat ofCatholic worship, one must look
to the Eucharist, a mystery anda gift described by the Church
as the source and summit of theChristian life Lumen Gentium
(02:46):
eleven.
At every mass, heaven touchesearth through the simple forms
of bread and wine, but beneaththese humble signs faith reveals
a reality far richer, ChristHimself truly present, offering
His love anew to each soul.
The Eucharist is not simply aritual or memory, it is an
encounter, one that invites,nourishes, and sends forth.
(03:08):
Through the consecration thealtar becomes a threshold
between time and eternity.
The faithful, gathered as onebody, participate in the same
sacrifice offered on Calvary.
With every amen, believers areunited to Christ, receiving him
not only as spiritualnourishment, but as the very
(03:30):
source of strength, healing, andongoing transformation for daily
living.
Through this sacrament, thecommunity of believers is built
and renewed.
The Eucharist forms the church,drawing all closer in communion,
not just with the Lord, but withone another.
Each reception rekindles thecall to holiness and mission.
(03:50):
The saints, those radiantwitnesses who lived and loved
with heroic virtue, found theirstrength in frequent encounters
with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Throughout history, Eucharisticmiracles have underscored the
church's faith in this profoundmystery, hinting at heaven's
nearness in the midst of theworld's struggles and hopes.
(04:11):
To receive the Eucharist is tostand at the summit of Christian
existence.
It is the living heart ofCatholic devotion, a glimpse of
the eternal banquet where everylonging is fulfilled in the
embrace of the Savior.
Take the next step, deepen yourencounter with the Eucharist.
At Journeys of Faith, we believethe Mass is not just an event,
(04:33):
but the living heartbeat of ourCatholic identity, a sacred
encounter with Jesus trulypresent in the Eucharist.
If you long to move from simplyattending Mass to truly
experiencing the summit of faithin every celebration, we invite
you to journey deeper with us.
Here's how you can ignite yourlove for the Eucharist and carry
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its graces into your daily life.
Embark on a virtual pilgrimage,explore our video pilgrimages to
sites of Eucharistic miraclesand Marian apparitions, sheep
each crafted to inspire awe,strengthen faith, and connect
you to the universal church.
Enrich your understanding.
Delve into our flagship book,This is my body, this is my
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blood, miracles of theEucharist, and discover them
sure.
For our stories of how theEucharist has transformed lives
across centuries.
Connect with community.
Join our prayer network andexperience the beauty of praying
(05:39):
for and with others who shareyour devotion to the source and
summit of our faith.
Bring the sacred home, visit ourCatholic gift shop for
sacramentals and resources thatmake the mysteries of the altar
a reality in your own home.
Let journeys of faith walk withyou one mass, one miracle, one
heart at a time, toward a moreprofound love for Jesus in the
(06:02):
Eucharist.
Scriptural foundations of thereal presence.
The biblical roots of the realpresence of Christ in the
Eucharist ground our faith indivine revelation and sustain
the church's ancient liturgy.
From the very first pages ofScripture, God prepares his
people for the mystery ofcommunion, his desire to feed
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and unite humanity with himself.
In the Old Testament, manna isgiven in the desert as true
bread from heaven.
He rained down manna for them toeat and gave them heavenly
bread.
Man ate the bread of angels,Psalm 78, 24 to 25.
Yet, as Jesus Himself remindsus, this miracle pointed beyond
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itself, foreshadowing of foodnot merely for the body, but for
the soul.
This foreshadowing becomesfulfillment at the Last Supper
when our Lord speaks the wordsthat echo through every Catholic
Mass, take, eat, this is mybody.
Drink from it all of you, forthis is my blood of the
covenant.
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Matthew 26, 26, 28.
Christ's declaration is notsymbolic but literal, inviting
us to trust in the mysteriouspower of his word, just as the
disciples did.
The Gospel of John deepens thismystery.
In chapter six, Jesus proclaims,I am the living bread that came
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down from heaven.
Unless you eat the flesh of theSon of Man and drink his blood,
you have no life in you.
These words challenged even hisclosest followers, yet Jesus did
not soften his teaching.
Instead, he affirmed with aresolute, divine authority that
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his flesh is true food and hisblood true drink.
John six fifty-five.
Saint Paul too attests to thereality and gravity of the
Eucharist.
Whoever therefore eats the breador drinks the cup of the Lord in
an unworthy manner will beguilty of profaning the body and
blood of the Lord.
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Such language only makes senseif Christ's presence is real,
not merely symbolic.
Through these scriptures, theChurch's faith in the real
presence finds its unshakablecornerstone.
The Eucharist is truly thesource and summit of our faith,
investing every mass with asacred gravity that binds us
both to Jesus and to one anotherin an eternal covenant,
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preparing your heart beforeMass.
Walking into the doors of thechurch, surrounded by familiar
faces and the gentle glow ofcandlelight, the Catholic
faithful are invited to the mostprofound encounter this side of
heaven, the Holy Mass.
The heart's preparation beforestepping into the sacred mystery
is not merely a ritual, it's apilgrimage of the soul.
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The ancient wisdom of the churchcalls us to approach the
Eucharist, the source and summitof our faith, with hearts fully
awakened, minds recollected, andspirits open to grace.
Start with quiet.
In a world buzzing with noiseand distractions, allow silence
to be the threshold into thesacred.
Arrive a few moments early, findyour place in the pew, and spend
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time in prayerful reflection.
Call to mind the intention forwhich you offer the Mass,
perhaps for a loved one, for theneeds of the church, or for your
own conversion.
This intention is your humbleoffering to join with Christ's
perfect sacrifice, and reflecton your week.
Bring to the Lord your joys andstruggles, successes and
failures, your gratitude andyour petitions.
(09:47):
Let the words of the confeder, Iconfess to Almighty God, be more
than just words recited, but agenuine examination of for a
conscience seeking mercy andhealing.
Consider what it means toapproach the Eucharist.
Saint Paul's exhortation in hisfirst letter to the Corinthians
(10:09):
rings true through thecenturies.
Examine yourself beforereceiving the body and blood of
Christ.
See a ferber Corinthians 11, 28.
This isn't just a moral checkup,it's a preparation to receive
the very heart of Jesus.
If you are aware of grave sin,seek the healing of the
sacrament of reconciliationbefore presenting yourself to
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the altar.
Finally, recall that you aren'talone.
As the community gathers, ourprayers and voices join with the
saints and angels in heaven.
Each mass draws us out ofisolation and into communion, a
foretaste of the eternalbanquet.
Allow yourself to be drawn intothis mystery, open to the grace
that transforms, heals, andsends us forth.
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In this way, the Eucharist willtruly become the summit where
heaven touches earth, and yourheart will be ready to receive
the living God.
Entering the mystery, whathappens at the altar?
As the celebration of the Massunfolds, every movement at the
altar invites us into the heartof the church's greatest
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treasure.
The altar is far more than aplace of ritual.
It is the intersection whereheaven meets earth, where the
sacrifice of Calvary is madepresent anew.
Here the priest standing in theperson of Christ proclaims the
words of consecration, wordsfirst spoken by Jesus Himself at
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the Last Supper.
Bread and wine, humble gifts ofcreation and the labor of human
hands are transformed by thepower of the Holy Spirit into
the body and blood of Christ.
In this moment the altar becomesa threshold to the eternal.
If we listen carefully, we canalmost hear the silent awe of
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the apostles at that firstEucharist, the adoration of
saints and angels, the prayersof faithful souls across
centuries joining ours.
The Eucharist is not simply aremembrance or a symbol, it is
the source and summit of ourfaith.
In the silent majesty of thealtar, we witness Christ's total
gift of Himself, His love pouredout for the church and for each
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of us.
We we um Gary Iberber Sanctuaryinvited not as distant observers
but as participants in thispaschal mystery, a mystery that
calls us out of routine anddraws us into communion with God
and one another.
Every mass is an encounter withthe living Christ.
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The altar, clothed in white,covered in candles and flowers,
becomes the center of our livesas Catholics, uniting our joys
and sorrows with the perfectsacrifice of the Lamb.
Here, the mystery of faith isnot only proclaimed, it is
experienced, drawing us closerto the heart of God.
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Active participation, mind,body, and soul.
To truly enter into the heart ofthe mass is to embrace a call
far deeper than mere attendance.
It is a call to total activeparticipation.
The church, guided by the wisdomof the magisterium, teaches that
genuine worship involves everydimension of our being, the
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mind, the body, and the soul.
When the faithful gather toencounter Christ in the
Eucharist, we are invited tooffer ourselves wholly, echoing
the self-giving love we witnesson the altar.
Active participation beginswithin the mind.
We engage attentively withScripture, responding to the
mysteries proclaimed in theliturgy of the Word, the prayers
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of the Mass become our own as wejoin in dialogue with God,
drawing upon centuries oldwisdom and tradition to inform
and mold our faith.
Each reading and responseinvites us to reflect, to be
transformed, and to grow inunderstanding of the mystery
that the Eucharist is the sourceand summit of our faith.
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Our bodies too are drawn intothe sacred rhythm.
We stand, kneel, sit, bow, andmake the sign of the cross, all
outward expressions that uniteus with countless Catholics
across the world and throughouthistory.
Through these time honoredgestures we not only show
reverence but also physicallyenact our devotion, turning
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posture into prayer.
Yet it is the soul that is mostprofoundly stirred.
During the consecration, as thebread and wine become the body
and blood of Christ, our heartsare invited to an interior
response, to awe, to gratitude,to adoration.
True participation meansbringing our hopes and
struggles, offering them uponthe altar, and allowing Christ's
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presence in the Eucharist torenew us from within.
By uniting our minds, bodies,and souls in worship, we are
gently led deeper into thetransformation the Mass offers,
becoming more fully the peopleGod calls us to be.
The liturgy of the Word,listening with faith.
At every mass, after we gatheras a community and humble
(15:14):
ourselves before God, theliturgy of the word unfolds, a
sacred dialogue between the Lordand his people.
This moment extends far beyondsimply hearing readings.
It is an invitation to listenwith faith, letting the living
word of God penetrate ourhearts.
We stand at attention for theproclamation of the gospel,
acutely aware that these are notjust stories or instructions
(15:36):
from a distant past.
They are alive, God's voiceechoing through centuries,
reaching each of us in ourunique joys and struggles,
whether in the Old Testament'spromises and prophecies or the
letters and gospels that revealChrist Himself, every reading is
an outpouring of divine love andrevelation.
(15:58):
Listening with faith transformspassive hearing into active
reception.
The scriptures challenge,comfort, and call us to deeper
discipleship.
In following the church's cycleof readings, Catholics all over
the world are united,meditating, praying, and living
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out the mystery of the Wordtogether.
When the priest or deacon breaksopen the word in the homily, it
is not merely exposition, it isa chance for the Holy Spirit to
ignite a response within us.
Do we receive God's message withopen hearts, allowing it to
disrupt our routines, renew ourthinking, and inspire us to
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tangible action?
Each Mass offers a new summitfor our faith, to recognize
Christ is present not just inthe sacred text but in our own
lives.
To listen with faith is to trustthat God is speaking personally
and communally at every mass.
It prepares us for the nextawe-inspiring movement,
approaching the Eucharist, thevery source and summit of our
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faith, made present on the altarfor each of us.
The offertory joining oursacrifices to Christ.
As the liturgy unfolds, theoffertory emerges as a moment
rich with spiritualsignificance, an invitation that
draws us beyond mere observationand into intimate participation.
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The priest prepares the altar,offering bread and wine, and
with them we are called to placeour own gifts, burdens, and joys
before God.
This sacred exchange is notsimply symbolism or routine.
It is the heart of what it meansfor the church to be a living
sacrifice, echoing Saint Paul'surging it to present our bodies
(17:54):
and lives as a living sacrificeholy and pleasing to God.
Romans twelve one.
At the offertory, each member ofthe faithful is united in
purpose and surrender.
We are invited to interiorlyoffer our struggles,
thanksgiving, and hopesalongside the bread and wine.
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Together these become more thanmaterial objects, they become
signs of our deep longing to beunited to Christ.
It is here that the teaching,the Eucharist is the source and
summit of our faith, shinesforth with luminous clarity.
By surrendering what is mostpersonal to the hands of Christ,
we participate in the mystery ofredemption.
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Our daily labor, losses,relationships, and dreams find
their fulfillment andsanctification at this altar.
This act of joining our lives toChrist's sacrifice fosters
communion not only with the Lordbut also with the entire body of
Christ.
The offertory is a bridge thatspans the gaps of distance,
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time, and circumstance, weavinginto individual intentions into
a single holy offering.
No gift is too small, no sorrowtoo obscure, melting into the
liturgy, our offerings aretransformed by Christ's love,
drawing us ever deeper into theinexhaustible wellspring of
grace that the Eucharistprovides.
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Every time Catholics gather forMass, they witness a profound
mystery at the heart of theChristian faith as the priest
stands at the altar, repeatingthe words spoken by Christ at
the Last Supper.
This is my body, uh this is myblood.
The bread and wine are no longerordinary elements.
This sacred moment is known asthe consecration.
(19:49):
Consecration marks a transitionfrom the ordinary to the
extraordinary.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,acting through the priest, the
substance of bread and wine ischanged at its deepest reality.
The appearance, whatphilosophers call the accidents,
remain remains the same.
The bread still looks, tastes,and feels like bread.
The wine still looks and tasteslike wine.
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But beneath those appearances,the church proclaims a miracle.
Jesus Christ Himself becomestruly present.
This moment is calledtransubstantiation, a word that
tries to capture the infinite inhuman terms.
Trans means change.
Substantiation refers tosubstance.
(20:32):
The essence of the bread andwine is transformed into the
very body and blood, soul anddivinity of Jesus Christ.
This is not symbolic, it is realand complete, a mystery that
surpasses our understanding, butdraws us ever nearer to the
heart of God.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch affirms this truth.
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In the most blessed sacrament ofthe Eucharist, the body and
blood together with the soul anddivinity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and therefore the wholeChrist is truly, really, and
substantially contained.
CCC 1374.
This is why the Eucharist iscalled the source and summit of
(21:17):
our faith.
Within the humble form of breadand wine, heaven touches earth.
Christ offers himself to hispeople, just as he did on
Calvary.
Witnessing and participating inthis mystery invites Catholics
into deeper faith and awe.
The Mass is not a memory or anecho, it is the living, saving
action of Christ Himself,inviting all who are present
(21:40):
into intimate communion with theLord of life.
To step into the mystery of theMass is to enter a threshold
where heaven meets earth.
For two millennia, Catholicshave approached the altar not as
mere spectators, but asparticipants in something cosmic
and eternal.
The Mass is not simply aremembrance, it is an encounter,
(22:00):
a participation in the one, allsufficient sacrifice of Christ.
The catechism of the CatholicChurch declares the Eucharist is
the source and summit of theChristian life C C E C one three
two, you know, you know whywords that echo through every
(22:26):
liturgy, every whispered prayer,and every sung hymn.
Within the sacred signs andancient prayers, the veil
between time and eternity growsthin.
It is here that saints, angels,and the faithful on earth are
united in a single act ofadoration and thanksgiving.
The altar becomes a verydoorstep of heaven, the words of
consecration.
This is my body, this is myblood.
(22:48):
Do more than recall the upperroom.
They draw us into it, makingpresent the one sacrifice of
Jesus on Calvary.
The Mass reveals God's promiseto never leave his people, to
nourish them with himself.
It is Christ's real presence,body, blood, soul, and divinity
offered to us in humility.
This is why the church gathersday after day around the
(23:11):
Eucharist, to be fed,transformed, and sent forth.
In those sacred moments, everylonging heart discovers its true
home, and every mass becomes asummit where heaven's glory
touches earth's deepest needs.
Eucharistic miracles thatstrengthen belief.
For centuries the church hasbeen blessed with wondrous signs
(23:32):
that remind the faithful of aprofound truth.
The Eucharist is the source andsummit of our faith.
Across continents and throughages of doubt and wonder,
Eucharistic miracles have brokenthrough the ordinary, leaving
behind extraordinary testimonyto God's real presence among us.
(23:53):
In Lonciano, Italy, an eighthcentury priest, doubting
Christ's presence in theEucharist, witnessed a marvel at
the altar as the bread and winevisibly transformed into human
flesh and blood.
Modern science has analyzedthese relics, yet their essence
remains a mystery, an enduringcall to trust even when the
(24:13):
senses fail.
In other towns and villages,Bolsaina, Siena, Legnica,
crimson stains on linens,preserved hosts, and
unexplainable phenomena persistagainst the passage of
centuries.
Each miracle echoes the ancientrefrain from the gospel of John.
My flesh is true food, and myblood is true drink.
(24:36):
For those who wrestle withquestions or the maddening
monotony that can sneak into ourroutines of worship, these holy
events anchor us in awe andreverence.
They are not mere stories from adistant past.
They continue to inspirepilgrims and believers today,
nourishing the faith of thoselonging for renewed conviction.
(24:57):
Through church sanctionedinvestigations, these miracles
point beyond themselves,reminding us of the eternal
promise made manifest in everymass.
Christ Himself truly present,inviting us deeper into the
heart of divine love.
These miracles are not meantsimply to dazzle or astonish,
they are gifts, signs along thejourney that encourage the weary
(25:20):
soul and rekindle devotion.
In a world hungry for certaintyand hope, they stand as tangible
proofs the church treasures andgently shares, inviting each of
us to an intimate encounter withthe living God present in the
Eucharist.
Embracing the Eucharist, theheartbeat of our journey.
(25:41):
In the rhythm of Catholic life,every mass is both summit and
source, a moment when heavendescends into the everyday, and
we are invited to climb higherin our union with Christ.
When we gather at the altar, weare not mere spectators, but
participants in the greatestmiracle of our faith.
(26:02):
The Eucharist is the source andsummit of our faith, not just in
theology, but in lived reality.
It pulses at the center of ourjourney, nourishing us with
divine love and calling us todeeper community with God and
one another.
At Journeys of Faith we haveseen how encounters with the
Eucharistic Lord, whetherthrough the miracles chronicled
(26:24):
by Bob and Penny Lord or thesacred stories explored on
virtual pilgrimage reshape thesoul and anchor us in Catholic
tradition.
Each Mass, each moment beforethe Blessed Sacrament is a new
invitation to transformation.
As we leave the altar and returnto our daily lives, may we carry
the presence of Christ in ourhearts ready to become living
(26:47):
tabernacles of his love.
The summit we reach each Sundayis not an end, but the spark of
a journey renewed together andin him.
Explore our Holy Eucharistcollection.
Thank you, family, for listeningto Super Saints Podcast.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for special news
item and since there is more tothis article.
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Finish reading and check out thespecial offer.
Visit JourneysofFaith.comwebsite today.
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