Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, the day on which we celebrate the institution of the Mass, the priesthood, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, is just nine days away.
So it seems appropriate to commemorate the Eucharist in our novena of the week. I've chosen a very moving prayer by Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, at whose beatification Pope Benedict XVI presided on September 19, 2010.
An Offering of Oneself to Christ in the Eucharist is a fervent prayer to unite ourselves to Christ and a recognition that we belong to Him by His sacrifice for our sake. If you can, say this after receiving Communion or in front of the tabernacle; otherwise, offer this prayer to unite yourself with the intentions of all the Masses being offered throughout the world each day.
If you have a favorite novena that you'd like me to choose as Novena of the Week, or if you'd like me to suggest a novena for a particular intention, send me an e-mail, and I'll work it into the rotation.
(Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd with the Eucharist during a meeting with children who made their First Communion during 2005 in St. Peter's Square, October 15, 2005. Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
More on Holy Thursday:
- Holy Thursday
- When Is Holy Thursday 2012?
- When Is Holy Thursday? (other years)
- Is Holy Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Maundy Thursday - Definition of Maundy Thursday
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