The Greatest Miracle
“Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.”
St. Francis of Assisi
When I was a catechist many years ago, I had the distinct privilege of guiding a wonderful communion class comprised of 25 eager students. Preparing these young children for the sacraments was a deeply fulfilling experience for me; it was both a pleasure and a significant honor. I understood that this role was crucial in helping to build a solid foundation of faith for these young minds as they began their spiritual journeys. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights that the sacrament of Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist, holds great importance for several profound reasons, including:
Union with Christ
The Eucharist strengthens the bond between the communicant and Christ, and unites the communicant to the Church.
Forgiveness of sins
The Eucharist cleanses the communicant from past sins and protects them from future sins.
Strengthening charity
The Eucharist strengthens the communicant's charity, which can be weakened by daily life.
Revived love
The Eucharist revives the communicant's love and helps them break attachments to creatures.
Anticipation of eternal life
The Eucharist unites the communicant with the heavenly liturgy and prepares them for eternal life.
Summary of faith
The Eucharist is the summary of the Catholic faith, and confirms the communicant's way of thinking.
Source and summit of Christian life
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Participation in the divine life
The Eucharist unites the communicant to the divine life and the unity of the People of God.
This is a pretty heavy topic to relay to children aged 7 to 10 years old. At that time, I was keen to find a visually appealing movie that would explain these profound themes in a way that a child could easily understand. I came across a captivating movie titled, The Greatest Miracle, on YouTube. This film is a beautiful, animated story that delicately illustrates the impact of God's grace and the unseen spiritual influences that affect our daily lives, particularly during our participation in the Holy Mass. The narrative revolves around three distinct characters and their guardian angels, highlighting how each individual possesses the freedom to choose between good and evil, as well as the significant consequences that arise from those choices. Furthermore, it presents the immense spiritual power of the sacrament of Confession and delves into the meaning behind each aspect of the Mass, emphasizing how we come together in communion with Almighty God by receiving Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. I recently rewatched this wonderful movie, and I felt it would be truly nice to share my thoughts with all of you. I sincerely hope you enjoy it just as much as I did during my viewing experience. It serves as a great reminder of the profound beauty found in the sacrifice of the mass and highlights how we should never take it for granted, appreciating its significance in our lives.
Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.
