ASHEVILLE — “The more Eucharist we receive, the more we become like Jesus, so that we can have on this earth a foretaste of heaven,” said Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15. The young Italian showed throughout his short life an exceptional devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
After working intensively on a project to promote devotion to the Holy Eucharist, Acutis launched a website in 2004 to promote the exhibition of Eucharistic miracles throughout the world.
That same exhibition, which Acutis could not attend due to his ill health, will be presented throughout September and October at St. Eugene Parish in Asheville.
The exhibition is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement promoted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Parish, said the Church “in all times” needs to “renew its faith in the Eucharist,” and the exhibit will be a wonderful opportunity for it.
“We have a crisis,” he said, referring to the fact that many practicing Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. “It is a pity that they do not recognize that every Mass is a personal encounter with God. For some people it’s just a teaching they welcome in their minds, but not in their hearts.”
Father Cahill acknowledged that part of his priestly vocation was due to the presence of a Eucharistic Adoration chapel at St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte, where he spent time during his childhood and teen years. “Then also at Belmont Abbey, I had the possibility of having a true approach with Jesus, where I received a personal revelation that the Lord always responds to us with His love.”
Julieth Liliana Duarte, a parishioner of St. Eugene and promoter of the expo, explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic she saw a documentary about the changes that churches made so as not to stop their mission of evangelization. One of those parishes hosted this exhibition of Eucharistic miracles.
“I thought it was a great way to evangelize,” she said.
The idea remained in the back of her mind until earlier this year, when she had a dream about Blessed Carlo Acutis.
“The next day I prayed for his intercession to bring the exhibition, and the same day I received all the information I needed,” she said.
After receiving help from some parishioners of St. Eugene and nearby St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville, in addition to the unconditional support of Father Cahill, the project was launched.
In conjunction with the effort to host the exhibition, St. Eugene Parish installed a Eucharistic Adoration chapel on the church property, so people can visit the Blessed
Sacrament daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
158 MIRACLES
The Eucharistic miracles exhibit is now at the parish, but due to its large size – it showcases 158 miracles in 19 countries – the display has had to be divided into two viewings.
Among the countries presented are Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Holland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Venezuela.
The first phase of the exhibition will take place at different times on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 7 to 24. The second phase will take place in October.
St. Eugene Church is located at 72 Culvern St. in Asheville.
Admission is free, but donations from attendees are welcome.
— César Hurtado
Learn more
At www.eucharisticrevival.org: Find Church resources, videos, educational materials, prayers and more at the National Eucharistic Revival movement’s website – designed to restore understanding and devotion to the Eucharist
At www.miracolieucaristici.org: Find out more about the international exhibition
At www.catholicnewsherald.com: Get hours and other information about the exhibition at St. Eugene Church