What is it like to live in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? What effect does such a life have on nuns who take turns adoring the Blessed Sacrament throughout each day? Ever since our monastery was founded in 1944, we have kept Eucharistic Adoration along with our Perpetual Rosary each day as a treasured observance. What would a Sister say who has lived in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament continually for even a few months, or for ten, twenty, fifty, or as many as seventy-seven years?
In honor of the conclusion of our country’s Eucharistic Revival, we asked the Sisters, “What is your favorite part about living with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?” Here are some of our reflections:
“His POWER! His LOVE!”
“I really appreciate the daily habitual intimacy that comes from being with Him so much. He becomes part of our life in an organic way; there is a spiritual bond that comes from living together and seeing each other so frequently, in a way that allows a special growth in intimacy.”
“My favorite thing is being under the same roof with Jesus in the Eucharist. I can go and see Him any time, day or night. He belongs to me, I belong to Him. He is always there.”
“To know that He is always there, and no matter when I go through choir [the nuns’ part of the chapel] He is always there. He is with me always.”
“During my first month in the monastery, it was really striking to live under the same roof with Jesus. Our Lady also plays a huge role in bringing our gaze back to Our Lord. Growing in entrustment to Our Lady helps bring our thoughts back to Him all the time.”
“The best thing about living with Jesus all the time is that is makes concrete and real the totality of how our life revolves around Him. That encompasses everything. We share all aspects of our life. Living in the monastery we have a unique opportunity to benefit from Our Lord’s constant presence because we never leave. We always live with Him. This is a truly Eucharistic aspect of the cloistered life.”
“Being able to go in the chapel and be with Him.”
“I love that we totally take for granted the continual nourishment for our interior life that flows from living in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It becomes so normal for us to be immersed in this atmosphere of Eucharistic graces. Coming back into His Presence is refreshment and peace.”
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
All Praise and All Thanksgiving, Be Every Moment Thine!