“Teach my People to Pray”

BISHOP DAVID L. RICKEN, DD, JCL BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF GREEN BAY

Eucharistic Holy Hour Guide for Parishes

SERVICES FOR JUNE – AUGUST 2015

Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3

Holy Hour structure ....................................................................................... 4

Monthly Themes .................................................................................................... 4

Preparing for the Holy Hour .................................................................. 5

Order of the Eucharistic Holy Hour ............................................... 7

Monthly Readings / Selections ............................................................. 21

Eucharistic Holy Hour Guide for Parishes

SERVICES FOR JUNE – AUGUST 2015

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Introduction

“In my pastoral letter of 2011, Green Bay Parishes: Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive, I explained that since the world “has become very secularized and is losing sight of God, it is incredibly important for all of us who are members of the church to help to satisfy the great hunger for holiness and for meaning in life through spirituality… We need to make space for Christ in our minds and in our hearts which are often too cluttered. We need to make space for the gift which is Jesus Christ himself for ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8)” – Bishop Ricken, Disciples on the Way

In union with all parishes within the Diocese of Green Bay, in accordance with the expectations of Bishop Ricken within “Teach My People to Pray”, all parish sites are to provide the faithful with an opportunity for a Eucharistic Holy Hour which follows the protocol and intentions provided in this Guide to be implemented after the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, on November 30, 2014.

Through this effort, we join as brothers and sisters in Christ within the Diocesan community as the Church of Green Bay in order to grow in prayer and holiness together. In doing so, we actively seek to open our hearts to ongoing conversion towards Christ in order to more passionately respond to the present call of the New Evangelization to truly know, love, and share Jesus with others.

Parish leadership should take time to carefully determine the best time and day for implementation within each unique parish environment in order to inspire active participation from the local community.

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Holy Hour Structure

Welcome / Introduction Entrance of the Ministers and Chant (O Salutaris Hostia / O Saving Victim) Exposition & [First Incensation]* Greeting Opening Prayer Reading I / Sacred Silence Reading II / Sacred Silence Litany of the Holy Eucharist Reading III / Sacred Silence Reflection (Optional) Intercessions Lord’s Prayer Chant (Tantum Ergo/ Down In Adoration Falling) & [Second Incensation]* [Benediction]* Divine Praises Reposition Recessional (Holy God We Praise Thy Name or other hymn of praise)

*Priest or Deacon only

Monthly THEMES

June ................................................................................................... Holy Spirit July .............................................................................. Peace / Religious Liberty August ............................................................................................... Vocations

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Preparing for the holy Hour

Who may minister at the Eucharistic Holy Hour? The Parish’s Pastor, Administrator, Sacramental Minister, or Deacon is the ordinary minister for the Eucharistic Holy Hour. Deacons are especially encouraged to lead the monthly Holy Hour. The extraordinary minister of the Holy Hour is the Pastoral Leader. If this is not possible, a lay minister may preside, preferably an Instituted Acolyte, a commissioned Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or Pastoral Associate. If a lay minister presides, the incensation at the Exposition and the Benediction are omitted.

What is needed for Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist? All parishes should have available the following liturgical items: • Cope/Humeral Veil (Priest/Deacon only) • Alb (Lay Leaders) • Incense / Thurible (if needed) • Corporal • Monstrance • 4 or 6 Candles at the Altar • Copy of the Order for Service • Prayers and songs for recitation by the faithful

(available in most Missalettes)

Is there a specific timeframe for the Eucharistic Holy Hour? The Holy Hour may take place at any reasonable time during the day or evening. If the parish already has hours of exposition, this monthly Holy Hour is to take place distinctly in a location and time that would allow large numbers of the faithful to attend. The monthly Holy Hour is to follow the specially prescribed format for this service.

Can we join with another Parish in their Eucharistic Holy Hour? Each Parish should host their own Eucharistic Holy Hour. Where there are two or more Parishes that are linked, it is desirable to have the Holy Hour at each individual Parish. Where there is one Parish with multiple worship sites, a specific site should be selected for the Holy Hour, perhaps on a rotating basis.

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How can we best communicate the Holy Hour to our Parishioners? Consider communicating the Holy Hour via: • Parish Bulletin / Bulletin Insert • Diocesan Posters (Given to each parish to fill in with times/locations) • Social Media / Website • Announcements • Invitations through Religious Education / Catholic Schools • Announcements at other Parish events • Personal Invitation

Do we need designated music ministers for the Holy Hour? While it is highly desirable to find music ministers to assist with the music of the Holy Hour, it is not necessary to have designated ministers to do so. If there are no music ministers available, the presiding minister or designated person should be prepared to lead Tantum Ergo/ Down In Adoration Falling and O Salutaris Hostia/ O Saving Victim.

Who do we contact with questions regarding the Holy Hour? Questions regarding the Eucharistic Holy Hour can be directed to:

Michael Poradek Diocese of Green Bay mporadek@gbdioc.org 920-272-8294 or toll free 877-500-3580 (ext. 8294)

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Order of Eucharistic Holy Hour Welcome / Introduction to Prayer

The presiding minister or another designated minister approaches the ambo and greets the assembled faithful in these or similar words:

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening:

Welcome to (insert parish name) and our Monthly Holy Hour of Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as part of the Diocese of Green Bay’s “Teach My People to Pray” initiatives, focusing on Formation in Prayer and Holiness.

We gather in the presence of Christ truly present Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Blessed Sacrament, to pray for the work of the New Evangelization, the proclaiming of the Christ’s Gospel of joy to all, within our parish, our diocese, and our world. We recognize that through prayer and the strengthening of our personal relationship and communication with Jesus Christ, we may come to know better the Lord ourselves, in order to share His Gospel with our family, friends, and with those we meet as intentional ‘disciples on the way’.

During this Holy Hour, after exposing the Blessed Sacrament we will spend time in silence and reflection on three passages related to this month’s theme of (June: Holy Spirit; July: Peace & Religious Liberty; August: Vocations). As you reflect on the words from Sacred Scripture, from the Saints, Popes, and others writings of our Church, please allow the Holy Spirit to direct your mind and heart in listening to the call of Jesus Christ as we form our lives of prayer and discipleship. Jesus teaches us to pray as we look upon Him and He gazes at us.

We will then offer our petitions, especially for the intentions of our Holy Father Pope Francis, our Bishop David Ricken, and those of our own local and diocesan community, before closing in prayer together.

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At this time, please kneel as we expose the Blessed Sacrament and sing together O Salutaris Hostia / O Saving Victim, found (insert location in missalette/hymnal). Please kneel or prayerfully be seated as we enter into this time of prayer and encounter with our Lord.

Entrance of the Ministers & Chant

The presiding minister, accompanied by other ministers if present, enter the Sanctuary and genuflect to the Tabernacle (or if the Tabernacle is not located in the Sanctuary profoundly bow to the Altar) before either going to their assigned seats or kneeling before the Altar.

O Salutaris Hostia / O Saving Victim is to be sung in either Latin or English:

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Exposition & Incensation

The presiding minister goes to the Tabernacle, genuflects, removes the Blessed Sacrament, brings it to the Altar, and places it in the monstrance turned towards the faithful.

If a Priest or Deacon, kneel before the altar and incense the Holy Eucharist. Musical accompaniment should continue, if possible, until the incensation is concluded.

If the Pastoral Leader or a Lay Minister, go directly to the Greeting and Opening Prayer

Greeting

OPTION A: PRESIDER: (Priest/Deacon Only): The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

℟: And with your spirit

or OPTION B:

PRESIDER: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us new birth into a living hope by resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Blessed be God for ever

℟: Blessed be God for ever.

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Opening Prayer OPTION A:

PRESIDER: Let us pray [that the Church of Jesus Christ may remain faithful to its mission.] (brief pause)

Almighty and eternal God, in Christ your Son you have shown your glory to the world. Guide the work of your Church: help it proclaim your name, to persevere in faith and to bring salvation to people everywhere. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ℟: Amen.

or

OPTION B:

PRESIDER: Let us pray [that Christ, the Bread of Life, will satisfy our human hungers.]

(brief pause)

Father in heaven, you have made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Fulfill this longing through Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that we may witness to him who alone satisfies the hungers of the human family. By the power of your Spirit lead us to the heavenly banquet where we may feast on the vision of your glory for ever and ever.

℟: Amen.

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Reading I & Sacred Silence During this time, the presiding minister and/or a designated reader should present the first Reading from Sacred Scripture, quotes, and other material throughout the time of adoration found starting on Page 21 for the corresponding month. Only these selections should be utilized.

There should be approximately 8 minutes of silence after the reading.

Reading II The second reading is then read for the corresponding month (Page 21 on). After the Reading, the minister should kneel before the Blessed Sacrament to lead the Litany of the Holy Eucharist The Litany of the Most Holy Eucharist PRESIDER: Together let us pray the Litany of the Holy Eucharist. (pause) Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Please respond ‘Have Mercy on Us’: Jesus, the Most High have mercy on us Jesus, the holy One have mercy on us Jesus, Word of God have mercy on us Jesus, only Son of the Father have mercy on us Jesus, Son of Mary have mercy on us Jesus, crucified for us have mercy on us Jesus, risen from the dead have mercy on us Jesus, reigning in glory have mercy on us Jesus, coming in glory have mercy on us Jesus, our Lord have mercy on us Jesus, our hope have mercy on us

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Jesus, our peace have mercy on us Jesus, our Savior have mercy on us Jesus, our salvation have mercy on us Jesus, our resurrection have mercy on us Jesus, Judge of all have mercy on us Jesus, Lord of the Church have mercy on us Jesus, Lord of creation have mercy on us Jesus, Lover of all have mercy on us Jesus, life of the world have mercy on us Jesus, freedom for the imprisoned have mercy on us Jesus, joy of the sorrowing have mercy on us Jesus, giver of the Spirit have mercy on us Jesus, giver of good gifts have mercy on us Jesus, source of new life have mercy on us Jesus, Lord of life have mercy on us Jesus, eternal high priest have mercy on us Jesus, priest and victim have mercy on us Jesus, true Shepherd have mercy on us Jesus, true Light have mercy on us Jesus, bread of heaven have mercy on us Jesus, bread of life have mercy on us Jesus, bread of thanksgiving have mercy on us Jesus, life-giving bread have mercy on us Jesus, holy manna have mercy on us Jesus, new covenant have mercy on us Jesus, food for everlasting life have mercy on us Jesus, food for our journey have mercy on us Jesus, holy banquet have mercy on us Jesus, true sacrifice have mercy on us Jesus, perfect sacrifice have mercy on us Jesus, eternal sacrifice have mercy on us Jesus, divine Victim have mercy on us Jesus, Mediator of the new covenant have mercy on us Jesus, mystery of the altar have mercy on us Jesus, medicine of immortality have mercy on us Jesus, pledge of eternal glory have mercy on us

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Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us Jesus, Bearer of our sins, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us Jesus, Redeemer of the world, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us Christ, hear us Christ, hear us Christ, graciously hear us Christ, graciously hear us Lord Jesus, hear our prayer Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Let us pray. (brief pause) Lord our God, in this great sacrament we come into the presence of Jesus Christ, your Son, born of the Virgin Mary and crucified for our salvation. May we who declare our faith in this fountain of love and mercy drink from it the water of everlasting life.

℟: Amen. Following the Litany, the minister should return to their place. Please allow for a few minutes of silent reflection.

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Reading III & Sacred Silence The third reading is then read for the corresponding month (Page 21 on).

There should be approximately an 8 minute break following the reading.

Reflection (Optional)

The presiding minister may at this time present a 3-5 minute reflection on the monthly theme and selections.

Intercessions

PRESIDER: Let us kneel or remain seated. Deacon, presiding minister, or other minister leads the prepared intentions: Our hope is in God, who gives us help. Let us call on the Lord as we pray:

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord. For the Church throughout the world, that the New Evangelization may be a time of spiritual renewal and personal encounter with Christ for people everywhere; we pray to the Lord…

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord. For world leaders, that they might find ways to bring an end to war and violence, and promote peace and development for all nations; we pray to the Lord…

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord.

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For those who suffer injustice, that they may receive the grace necessary to persevere in Christ and that we courageously respond to their needs; we pray to the Lord…

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord. Bishop Ricken’s Intention:

June: That the Holy Spirit ignite within us a desire to deepen our lives of prayer and approach the sacraments with wonder and awe in the presence of God’s grace. July: That those among us who are persecuted for living the Christian life by family and friends, coworkers and neighbors, be strengthened to persevere and trust in Christ with confidence. August: That those discerning their vocation may form a strong foundation of prayer in their lives so as to more clearly recognize Christ’s voice in their lives supported in love by the entire community. ℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord.

Pope Francis’ Universal Intention:

June: That immigrants and refugees may find welcome and respect in the countries to which they come. July: That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity. August: That volunteers may give themselves generously to the service of the needy.

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord.

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Pope Francis’ Evangelization Intention:

June: That the personal encounter with Jesus may arouse in many young people the desire to offer their own lives in priesthood or consecrated life. July: That, amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society. August: That setting aside our very selves we may learn to be neighbours to those who find themselves on the margins of human life and society.

℟: Lord, Hear our Prayer. or ℟: Strengthen us Lord. Lord’s Prayer

PRESIDER: Remember us Lord when you come into your kingdom and teach us to pray:

℟: Our Father…

PRESIDER: Together we will now sing Tantum Ergo / Down in Adoration Falling found (insert location in missalette/hymnal).

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Incensation & CHANT

If incense is used, the Priest or Deacon kneels before the altar and again incenses the Holy Eucharist.

Meanwhile, Tantum Ergo / Down in Adoration Falling is to be sung in either English or Latin (it is appropriate to adjust the accompaniment depending upon the time of the Liturgical Year).

Prayer

PRESIDER: You have given them Bread from heaven ℟: Having within it all Sweetness

PRESIDER: Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. ℟: Amen.

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Eucharistic Blessing (Priest / Deacon ONLY)

The presiding minister, if a Priest or Deacon, dons the humeral veil and goes to the altar and the Blessed Sacrament. He genuflects, takes the monstrance, and makes the sign of the cross with it over the people in silence. He then replaces the monstrance on the altar, genuflects, and returns to the front of the Altar to kneel.

A lay presiding minister may not minister the blessing with the Eucharist or conduct a blessing / ritual action in its place. The Order of the Holy Hour should move, instead, from the preceding Prayer directly to the Divine Praises.

Divine Praises

The presiding minister then leads the faithful in the recitation of the Divine Praises:

PRESIDER: The Divine Praises:

℟: Blessed be God. Blessed be his Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be his most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.

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Reposition The presiding minister then genuflects, removes the Blessed Sacrament from the monstrance and places it in the tabernacle, and genuflects again. Once the tabernacle is closed, all stand.

PRESIDER: Please stand as we conclude this Holy Hour with the singing of Holy God We Praise Thy Name (or another appropriate hymn), found ( insert location in missalette/hymnal).

RECESSIONAL

The song Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (or another appropriate hymn of praise) is then sung.

During the song, the presiding minister, accompanied by other ministers if present, go before the Altar, genuflect to the Tabernacle (or if the Tabernacle is not located in the Sanctuary profoundly bow to the Altar) before exiting the Sanctuary.

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Monthly Readings / Selections June ...................................................................................................... Holy Spirit Reading I: John 15:26-27; 16:5,7-11, 13-15 (The Coming of the Advocate) “When the Advocate comes whom I will send

you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

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Selection II (Pope Leo XIII, Divinum illud munus, 11): “We ought to pray to and invoke the Holy Spirit, for each one of us greatly needs His protection and His help. The more one is deficient in wisdom, weak in strength, borne down with trouble, prone to sin, so ought they the more to fly to Him who is the never-ceasing fount of light, strength, consolation, and holiness. And chiefly that first requisite of man, the forgiveness of sins, must be sought for from Him: "It is the special character of the Holy Spirit that He is the Gift of the Father and the Son. Now the remission of all sins is given by the Holy Spirit as by the Gift of God. " Concerning this Spirit the words of the Liturgy are very explicit: "For He is the remission of all sins." How He should be invoked is clearly taught by the Church, who addresses Him in humble supplication, calling upon Him by the sweetest of names: "Come, Father of the poor! Come, Giver of gifts! Come, Light of our hearts! O best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul, our refreshment!" Selection III (Pope Francis, Pentecost Homily, 2014): “The Holy Spirit teaches us, reminds us, and — another aspect — lets us speak, with God and with men… He lets us speak with God in prayer. Prayer is a gift that we freely receive; dialoguing with him in the Holy Spirit, who prays in us and allows us to address God, calling him Father, Dad, Abba. (cf. Rm 8:15; Gal 4:4); and this is not merely an “expression” but a reality: we truly are children of God. “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rm 8:14). He lets us speak in the act of faith. Without the Holy Spirit, none of us is able to say: “Jesus is Lord” — we heard this today. It is the Spirit who lets us speak with people in fraternal dialogue. He lets us speak with others, recognizing them as brothers and sisters; to speak with friendship, with tenderness, with compassion, understanding the heartaches and hopes, the sorrows and joys of others… The day of Pentecost, when the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit”, was the baptism of the Church, which was born in “going out”, in “departure” to proclaim the Good News to everyone… With the whole Church, with our Mother Catholic Church, let us implore: Come, Holy Spirit!

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July ................................................................................. Peace / Religious Liberty Reading I: Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes) When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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Selection II (Pope Francis, Angelus, September 1, 2013): “What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]). All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs to all of humanity! I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace. May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and let themselves be led by the desire for peace… Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!”

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Selection III (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi): "Lord, make me a channel of thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may bring love; that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; that where there is discord, I may bring harmony; that where there is error, I may bring truth; that where there is doubt, I may bring faith; that where there is despair, I may bring hope; that where there are shadows, I may bring light; that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.”

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August .................................................................................................. Vocations Reading I (Luke 11:1-13): He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Further Teachings on Prayer. And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

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Selection II (Pope Francis, Angelus, July 27, 2014): “Many people, many saints, reading the Gospel with an open heart, have been so struck by Jesus that they convert to Him… The Gospel allows you to know the real Jesus, it lets you know the living Jesus; it speaks to your heart and changes your life. And then yes, you leave it all. You can effectively change lifestyles, or continue to do what you did before but you are someone else, you are reborn: you have found what gives meaning, what gives flavor, what gives light to all things, even to toil, even to suffering, and even to death. Read the Gospel. Read the Gospel… To read a passage of the Gospel every day; and to carry a little Gospel with us, in our pocket, in a purse, in some way, to keep it at hand. And there, reading a passage, we will find Jesus. Everything takes on meaning when you find your treasure there, in the Gospel. Jesus calls it “the Kingdom of God”, that is to say, God who reigns in your life, in our life; God who is love, peace and joy in every man and in all men. This is what God wants and it is why Jesus gave himself up to death on the cross, to free us from the power of darkness and to move us to the kingdom of life, of beauty, of goodness and of joy. To read the Gospel is to find Jesus and to have this Christian joy, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit.” Selection III (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, General Audience, August 10, 2011): “In every age, men and women who have consecrated their lives to God in prayer — like monks and nuns — have founded their communities in particularly beautiful places: in the countryside, on hilltops, in mountain valleys, on the shores of lakes or of the sea and even on small islands. These places combine two very important elements for contemplative life: the beauty of creation, which evokes the beauty of the Creator, and silence, which is guaranteed by living far from cities and the great thoroughfares of the media. . Silence is the environmental condition most conducive to contemplation, to listening to God and to meditation. The very fact of enjoying silence and letting ourselves be "filled", so to speak, with silence, disposes us to prayer. The great prophet Elijah on Mount Horeb — that is, Sinai — experienced a strong squall, then an earthquake and finally flashes of fire, but he did not recognize God's voice in them; instead, he recognized it in a light breeze (cf. I Kings 19:11-13). God speaks in silence, but we must know how to listen.”

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on the Liturgy. Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist. Collegeville, MN: The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., 1993.

Michael Poradek, Editor