The Eucharist in the Life of the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

                “True devotion to the Sacred Heart,” writes Clelia Merloni, Foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “manifests itself, and is contained, in devotion to the Holy Eucharist because it is in the consecrated Host that the Heart of Jesus, living and true, beats with love for His creatures and invites them to find in Him a fountain of life and happiness.” (Manuscript Rule)

The charism of Clelia Merloni had its origin in the very heart of the Church which is the Heart of Christ pierced on the Cross for the redemption of the world. (Jn 9: 34). Christ, with his pierced heart as sign of death and resurrection, is alive and present among us in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

                St. John the Evangelist saw in this Eucharistic sign the synthesis of the Paschal Mystery, supreme expression of the redemptive love of the Son of God who is passionately in love with every human being. “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loves us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” (1 Jn 4:10.)

                Through her contemplation of the pierced Heart of the Redeemer, the Apostle’s life becomes a response of love to him who has loved her first. She is imbued with the need to make reparation in order to return loving fidelity for the ingratitude Jesus receives from his people, and she is consumed with a restless desire to make the Heart of Jesus known and loved and to restore his reign of love.

                Mother Clelia urges the Apostles to participate daily in the Holy Sacrifice “in the same spirit of recollection with which they would assist at the Sacrifice of Calvary itself and reminds them that while in the other exercises of piety it is they who adore, thank and petition God, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass it is Jesus Himself who adores, thanks and intercedes for them with the Heavenly Father.” (Manuscript Rule)

                The Apostle renews her consecration daily in the reception of the Eucharist so that she may share the fruits of her union with Christ within her own community and in the exercise of her apostolate.

                Devotion to the Holy Eucharist lies as the center of the life of holiness and of service to which the Apostles dedicate themselves. Clelia invites: “Let us spend the most beautiful moments of our life in His living Presence where the fullness of joy will be ours.”

                                                                                                      Sr. Cora Lombardo, A.S.C.J.