By Emily Clark
Photos by Paul Haring
It is the Holy Eucharist. It is the Bread from Heaven. It is, as Gina Pin of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish said, “the foundation of our Catholic faith,” the bedrock for one of the first diocesan guilds—and one that continues to grow because of the dedication of so many.
As Pin and close to 30 others chose to recommit themselves to another year as members of the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano also inducted 12 new members during the annual Mass on Saturday, June 27 at St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield. These guild members seek to deepen their personal holiness through the practice of Eucharistic adoration and attempt to draw others to prayer as well.
In his homily, the bishop encouraged all believers to meditate upon the great mystery of the Holy Eucharist. To the inductees, he said, “I wish you God’s blessing as you embark on this great journey—allow me to say a ‘great adventure’—as you commit to spend time before the Eucharistic Lord; it will change your life.”
While the faithful are in adoration, he continued, “we remember he who is alive in our midst. He is here, he is real, fully and substantially here—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.”
The bishop reminded not only guild members but all those in attendance that God loves them. “He loves all of you, all of me, not just our soul and our spirit. He loves you as a bodily son and daughter. You are more than your spirit and your soul. Your body is also beautiful,” he said.
“When we look upon the Blessed Sacrament and come forward and receive him and have him dwell within us, literally—if I can be a bit graphic—we digest him. Then we are reminded of the length to which God loves us—all of us.”
Following the homily, Luigi Manente, director of diocesan guilds, called forth the inductees to stand before the Blessed Sacrament within the tabernacle, followed by those prepared for recommitment. Being part of such an establishment, Manente said, is a gift.
“With the Eucharist at the center of its life and mission, the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament continues to be a source (and summit!) of grace, unity and joy,” he said. “The membership continues to expand. The extent of its impact is yet to be determined but also knows no bounds and we are so excited to see how it continues to deepen people’s sense of and relationship with the Eucharistic Lord and each other!”
Prior to the Mass, prospective and veteran members engaged in the annual retreat consisting of talks, discussion and prayer. Days of reflection such as these, Manente added, are great opportunities for members, those discerning and those who have just learned about the guild to come together in community to deepen their love of Christ and to strengthen the bonds of fellowship.
Elizabeth Gmelin, a parishioner at St. Mary who is currently discerning the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament, was recently inducted into the St. Paul Guild, one that focuses on evangelical outreach and spiritual renewal. For her, there is a strong connection between the two. “I’ve been so inspired by all the stories,” she said, following the retreat and Mass. “It’s great to witness such faith. There is a lot of overlap among the guilds.”
Lenore and Robert Yastremski, who belong to St. Gregory Parish in Danbury, were inducted at the Mass. As adorers at the Holy Hours, they were encouraged to join this guild by their pastor Father Matthew Loman, who concelebrated the induction Mass along with Msgr. Kevin Royal.
“I see changes in myself by going to Daily Mass and Adoration,” said Robert Yastremski. “It’s something I feel I need. Things become clearer, so the guild was the next step. It’s an essential part of my life.”
Yastremski’s comments echo those of the bishop as he concluded his homily: “Are we not blessed? How great it is to be an adorer of the Son of God!”
