Why the Eucharist Changed Everything

By an anonymous St. Max parishioner

I am a convert and most of my friends say I am a “laid back” person-not very emotional. I’m not a crier. Some people cry at every funeral, every sad movie, every beautiful sunset or piece of music. I don’t. Of course, I feel these things, but I don’t cry.

When I first learned about the Catholic faith through our parish inquiry sessions, I attended them merely for the information, because my husband was Catholic. I believed in God and knew how to pray, but I never thought of Jesus being truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist.

As I got further into the sessions, I began to appreciate the beauty of the Mass and to look forward to going to Mass. I still had plenty of questions. The information hadn’t changed, but something had changed inside of me. God can do that.

Going to Mass began to feel more like coming home. The words weren’t just in my head anymore, but they were living in my heart.

They say you don’t realize how much something means to you until you have to do without it. I was so happy to be baptized and confirmed. I was happy to raise my children Catholic and to make sure they always made it to Mass. I loved volunteering and being part of our parish family. Then Covid came along and we had to watch the Mass online for too many days, because the churches were closed down.

I thought, “I can do this,” and tried to participate every Sunday. I still could say all the prayers and make a spiritual communion. It would be all right. However, when we could finally go to Mass in person, I couldn’t believe how much joy I felt.

When I could finally hold Jesus in the palm of my hand again, a wave of emotion washed over me and filled me up. I felt like a person dying of thirst, who has been denied water for a long time and who can finally have a drink.

And I cried.