By the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
Praised be Jesus Christ our Eucharistic Lord! Today felt like a Corpus Cristi Sunday…but in 1925…it was a day where the splendor of the Church honored the King in a most fitting way. We attended a Spanish Mass with our very own Archbishop Jose Gomez.
This morning, one group of sisters did not have a specific assignment. Some of them went back to help with confession lines, took time for extra adoration and confession, and visited with old friends and new. The sisters on the priest track continued ushering and being a welcoming presence. The bishops and priests received two outstanding presentations by Daniel Celucci and Bishop Flores. Never expecting it to look as it unfolded, he found the power of a priests’ fatherhood to carry him on his own. Bishop Flores’ exhorted the bishops and priests by expanding on the meaning of “smelling like the sheep.” The priests were deeply touched and one commented that they “knew this revival was going to be good” but they didn’t expect it to be a revival for them personally. Mother Gloria Therese lead them in a closing, prayerful meditation. This helped them reflect on their graces this week and ask God to seal what they received from this congress. Thank you for your prayers for our priests. The Lord heard them and moved powerfully in room 120 during these days!
The Eucharistic procession throughout the city took place in the afternoon and was breath taking. The children who received their first communion this year went first donning their white dresses one more time and scattered rose petals for Jesus. After the 1st Communicants, an estimated of 1,000 religious sisters followed by even more priest and bishops. Finally, Our Lord processed throughout the streets on a beautifully decorated float and altar.
As Jesus passed, the lay faithful joined the procession. We processed all the way to the steps of the World War Memorial where there was a beautiful altar prepared all the way at the top of the steps for all to see. It truly was a taste of heaven: All the Church united in joyful praise and Adoration of our King! It was extremely moving.
The day concluded with another incredible revival session. Gloria Purvis and Bishop Barron delivered phenomenal exhortations. Repentance and healing in our lives naturally bear the fruit of unity. This fruit and sign is so badly needed in this world. How much the world needs the Holy Eucharist. Jesus had the final words of the evening as we spent another beautiful hour in Eucharistic Adoration asking God for the grace to be the Saints he has called us to be. There is a new springtime in the Church, and it has the power to change our country and the world!