Dear Friends,

In her fiction, Flannery O’Connor had a masterful way of allowing the grotesque to be prophetic signs in unexpected ways. In her stories, people with disabilities—both physical and mental—and those marginalized by society, in particular, both illuminate the light and reveal the darkness of the human experience. Indeed, her characters are living “signs” of sin and grace.

Early on Sunday evening just before sunset, I was walking south on Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago. It is a part of the city that is becoming more and more “upscale” with high-end shops and premiere dining, but traces of crime and poverty are still visible.

As I walked along surrounded by tourists and locals, I heard the unnerving voice of a woman screaming loudly. Looking carefully to my left, I saw a woman who appeared to be unhoused and tremendously disheveled, hunched over on the concrete bench of a recently constructed inner-city park. She had long, ragged, gray-brown hair. Her hands were gnarled and her legs seemed twisted as she balanced herself in what appeared to be her most upright position. Finally, I heard what she was saying:

“Bless you!! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”

The words chilled me to the bone initially, and frankly caused me inner fear—was I the target of her words? Was she blaspheming? I walked past her without making eye contact, but she didn’t continue to scream—as a matter of fact, she was completely silent.

Immediately, I began to wonder if she, in her poverty, was a prophetic sign—like a character in an O’Connor novel—to all who passed by, including myself. From this person, created in the image of God and very good, there seemed to appear nothing at all good. And yet, she spoke some of the highest words in the human lexicon…

I turned the corner to walk east, knowing I’d be closer to her, yet with greater confidence in her goodness. Then, it happened.

Her wide, wild eyes met mine. And I saw her for who she is: a beloved child of God.

I can’t help but wonder if seeing me, a religious sister, calmed her inner self and led to her silence. Yet, in that moment when our eyes locked, there was communication that words cannot express. I saw Jesus in her. And I hope she saw him in me.

Unless we believe and see Jesus in the appearance of bread on the altar, we will not be able to see him in the distressing disguise of the poor.
~ Mother Teresa

This week in Heart of the Revival, don’t miss:

• Four reasons why the Eucharist is at the heart of Catholic schools.
• One teen’s testimony that spotlights the impact of Blessed Carlo Acutis.
• And a message of hope from Catholics in war-torn Gaza.

In Jesus,

Sister Alicia Torres, F.E.

MANAGING EDITOR

INSPIRED BY THE EUCHARIST

The Eucharistic Vocation of a Catholic School

What does the Eucharist have to do with the Catholic school? During this period of the Eucharistic Revival, this is a pivotal question, especially as our institutions continue to discern what it means to be Catholic today. What follows is intended to function as a primer on this topic, built around four key theses related to the Eucharist and Catholic education… Read the rest of Dr. Tim O’Malley’s essay on the Eucharistic vocation of Catholic Schools here.

Video: Eucharistic Encounter: That Mysterious Metal Sound

In this episode of Eucharistic Encounters from Relevant Radio, Fr. Rocky recounts a story St. Josemaría Escrivá told about the way in which a mysterious sound led him to a very moving experience inside his parish church. Watch it now!

Eucharistic Revival: From the Pews!

This week, we hear from Denise G. in the Archdiocese of New York.

When I finally decided to take my faith seriously, l began going to daily Mass and visiting our adoration chapel periodically. The more I attended adoration, the more I wanted to be in the presence of the Lord. There is no place I would rather be. Sitting with the Lord brings total peace, no matter what is happening in your life.

MORE FOR YOU

Catholics in War-Torn Gaza Turn to the Eucharist

“What gives us the most strength is having the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist with us. In the mornings, we start the day with an hour of Eucharistic adoration, followed by Lauds in Arabic, the Rosary in the afternoon, and we finish with Mass,” Fr. Romanelli, parish priest of Gaza’s Catholic parish, tells Aleteia… Read the rest of the inspiring interview with Fr. Romanelli here!

Come Back to Jesus: How Carlo Acutis Inspires My Deep Love for Eucharistic Adoration

Inspired by Carlo Acutis, Pennsylvania teen Annie Cellucci continues Carlo’s mission to bring youth to the Eucharist. Read her testimony on Church Pop!