“After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.” 1 Kings 19:12-13
Jesus came to visit his people in peace, stillness and silence Friday evening.
After arriving in Colorado Wednesday, our Eucharistic Lord made his way through the Rocky Mountains, visiting Camp St. Malo’s St. Catherine Chapel on the Rock, Holy Name Catholic Parish in Steamboat Springs, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish in Boulder and St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage continued Friday evening as our Eucharistic Lord visited Light of the World Parish in Littleton for formation, community and Eucharistic Adoration.
The evening began with a talk on the Most Holy Eucharist from Michael Barber, PhD, a professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute, to a full parish hall.
Opening the Scriptures for those gathered, Dr. Barber focused on the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John and the manna in the desert provided by God to the Israelites in the book of Exodus. The panis angelicus, or bread of angels, that God provided the Israelites foreshadowed the true Bread of Heaven, the Most Holy Eucharist.
As Dr. Barber spoke to those gathered, a small procession began through the town of Littleton.
The Perpetual Pilgrims, along with local Catholics, team members of the National Eucharistic Revival and Tim Glemkowski, the CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, processed about two and a half miles to Light of the World.
Upon arrival at Light of the World, the procession was met by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, who received our Eucharistic Lord outside the church and carried him in procession into the sanctuary, where Jesus was exposed for hundreds to adore.
“The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a beautiful culmination of the last two years of the National Eucharistic Revival, during which Jesus passes through our towns, cities and communities throughout the United States,” Archbishop Aquila said of the historic occasion. “During these days, Jesus comes to encounter his beloved sons and daughters in northern Colorado.”
Indeed, he did precisely that: Jesus encountered his people, first in the Word opened in Dr. Barber’s talk, then in the Sacrament exposed in Eucharistic Adoration.
The encounter was characterized by tranquility. Hundreds of faithful peacefully prayed to our Eucharistic Lord, spent time with him, and grew in devotion to him. Led by Archbishop Aquila and accompanied by deacons and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Denver, the time of adoration included hymns, reflections and Scripture readings to augment the faithful’s devotion.
“I came because the pilgrimage was coming through,” said Kathy Noll, a long-time parishioner of Light of the World. “I didn’t quite know what to expect, but there was something special. It was very beautiful.”
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Dr. Michael Barber from the Augustine Institute gave a talk Friday evening, opening the Scriptures for those gathered. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Dr. Barber focused on the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John and the manna in the desert provided by God to the Israelites in the book of Exodus. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Dr. Barber shared that the panis angelicus, or bread of angels, that God provided the Israelites foreshadowed the true Bread of Heaven, the Most Holy Eucharist. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Archbishop Aquila joined hundreds of faithful at Light of the World Parish in Littleton to receive the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Seminarians for the Archdiocese of Denver served on the solemn occasion, joining the hundreds of faithful in prayer and adoration. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
While Dr. Barber spoke, a small procession began. After a two-and-a-half mile journey to Light of the World, the pilgrims were greeted by Archbishop Aquila. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Archbishop Aquila led the community in a time of prayer and adoration, drawing near to our Eucharistic Lord. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Nearly 500 faithful gathered in quiet prayer, worship and adoration of the Lord Jesus, present in the Most Holy Sacrament on Friday evening. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
Archbishop Aquila offered benediction to those gathered before the Lord departed for the evening, ahead of his next stops to Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church Saturday morning. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.)
(Photo by Father Matt Book)
(Photo by Father Matt Book)
“Tonight, I just felt the presence of Jesus with us,” Amy Brooks, another Light of the World parishioner, shared. “I brought my whole family with me, so I feel like it brought our family together with Jesus tonight, which was special.”
For Brooks, the Revival has allowed her to delve deeper into her relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“I’m excited for the Eucharistic Revival. I think it’s wonderful that we have a revival happening,” she said, recalling her journey of revival.
After joining a prayer group at Light of the World, Brooks grew in her relationship with the Holy Spirit, which led her ever closer to Jesus, present in the Most Holy Eucharist.
“My relationship with God grew, and through that, I think the Eucharist has become more meaningful to me. And so this was the perfect place to have the Eucharist, to have Adoration come tonight, to drive us closer to God,” she shared.
Jesus continues to call his people in a still, small voice, leading them closer to himself. Throughout the National Eucharistic Revival, numerous individuals have had cause to reflect on their relationship with the Eucharistic Lord and grow in their devotion.
Even as the faithful have paused, reflected, and grown, our priests have been heartened, encouraged and filled with joy at the sight of their people drawing nearer to the Lord Jesus, present in the Eucharist.
“It is a profound joy to see so many of the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Denver gathered in prayer and witness to Jesus,” concluded Archbishop Aquila. “Through our joyfully countercultural witness to our abiding relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray that many come to know Jesus Christ, so that all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.”
Father Matt Book, pastor of Light of the World Parish, echoed that sentiment of joy, pointing to the parish’s perpetual adoration chapel as a beautiful sign of devotion. For nearly two decades, Light of the World parishioners have adored the Lord rain, snow, sleet or shine, throughout the day and night.
“There’s a tremendous joy seeing people’s devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist. I know that that is something developing deeply in their lives and that they have a true commitment to that with their adoration chapel,” he said, reflecting on his experience seeing parishioners grow in their Eucharistic devotion.
“So for me, it was a very powerful and affirming experience to see our people’s devotion,” Father Book concluded. “And also, it was inspiring to see how much people love the Eucharist and that, okay, that maybe there’s confusion for some and doubts for others, but for many, they know who their Lord is and where to find him.”
From Light of the World, the Eucharistic Lord will make his way to Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church in Denver, Christ in the City and the Mother Cabrini Shrine on Saturday and the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Holy Ghost Catholic Parish in Denver on Sunday before leaving the metro area for the Eastern Plains next week.
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For more information on upcoming events with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Denver, click here.
To see more of the latest news, updates and photos from the Pilgrimage, click here.