Mary Mother of the Eucharist

“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14)  

These days, between Ascension and Pentecost, we can imagine Mary among the apostles and women waiting in anticipation of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, this is an experience that only she knew when she consented to the will of the Father and the Word became flesh in her virginal womb. Today, May 13, is the feast honoring Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, or Mother of the Eucharist. Furthermore, it is the feast of Blessed Imelda, a little-known Dominican who passed into eternity when she received Holy Communion.  

Yes, this day is bursting with Eucharistic themes, and one may ask what we can learn from it. One word comes to mind—peace: a peace that is the fruit of love and a recollected spirit, a peace that is content to “remain in Him” and wait, a peace which lifts one’s eyes toward the heavens, like Mary and the apostles at the Ascension, and waits in expected hope and anticipation of His coming to us in each Holy Communion. A peace that sustained the children of Fatima to embrace suffering, to do penance, and to meditate more intentionally on the life of Christ.  

Isn’t this the “news” or message we all need in these days of 24/7 news, of never-ending reporting of every natural disaster, tidbit of gossip, or crime committed in our local area?  

May we strive to wait in peace with Mary and the apostles for the coming of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus promised that we would not be left as orphans. Like Mary, each of us is now a temple of the Holy Spirit where God dwells. May His peace reign in our hearts.