DON BOSCO AND HOLY EUCHARIST
A quick reading of the account of the institution of the Eucharist in the Synoptic Gospels and the letters of Paul would tell us the simplicity and the solemnity with which Jesus instituted this great sacrament. "On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it and he said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me'. And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood'. Whenever you drink it, do these as a memorial of me" (1 Cor 11.24).
Thus the word of St.Paul take us back to the original setting in which this great sacrament was instituted by the Jesus. This great sacrament is indelibly marked by the great event of the Lord's passion and death, of which it is not only a reminder but a sacramental representation. It is the sacrifice of the cross perpetuated down the ages, In this great sacrament, God calls every person to a deeper relationship of love, expecting a response based on living faith. Therefore, the sacrament of the Eucharist is the place where God meets the person of faith.
Our late Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, "Mane nobiscum Domine" (Stay with us, Lord) is a heartfelt plea to rediscover the wealth of the Holy Eucharist in the life of the Church and of the world. In fact, in this letter, the Pope speaks of the Holy Eucharist with a profoundly personal tone: the broken Bread is what remains of Jesus, even when it seems that his face has disappeared. His mysterious presence is like a light that reawakens hope over the shadows of the declining day and darkness blanketing the soul.
St.John Bosco, the Patron of our Parish, known more popularly by his Italian heritage as Don Bosco, educator of youth and founder of the Salesians, had a dream in 1862 during which he saw that two pillars in a storm-tossed sea would anchor the boat of Peter (i. e.the Church) The tallest, strongest pillar was the Holy Eucharist and second was the Blessed virgin Mary.
Indeed for Don Bosco, the Eucharist was something, which touched the depths of his heart. As a priest and teacher, he was convinced that the Lord was the model in educating the young. He was concerned that his young people received the Risen Jesus often in the Eucharist. For him the preparation for the Holy Eucharist called for a good confession. The "God-with-us" Eucharistic presence was seen as a real and active presence. All people especially the young people were encouraged t turn to Jesus with faith in moments of difficulty. In fact, they grouped around him as a joyful community and with him they began and ended each day.
St.John Bosco used to remind young people: "If you want many graces, pay many visits to Jesus in the Sacrament; if you want few graces, pay him few". Don Bosco was a saint formed through and through by the Eucharist. For Don Bosco, Confession and Eucharist were the two sacraments that inculcated in young people the Christian virtues and holiness. On this topic he wrote in 1877: "Frequent Communion and daily mass are the pillars that must support an educational building that we desire to protect from threats and scourges. Never force youngsters to receive the holy sacraments, but only encourage them and make it easy for them to do so". In fact, all his churches and other buildings reflected his vision of what it was to be a Salesian church and house. It was a place of prayer, a home, a playground, a chapel and a school.
He always looked for in buying property a 'zona popolare'. In other words, 'a place where plenty of ordinary people lived' as that of Don Bosco Lingarajapuram Church. For this, he wanted a church, which would play a vital role not only in spiritual growth but also aims and works for the all-round development of the people of god. By Divine intervention and with the special intercession of our Blessed Mary, the Lord has built a church for us making use of various people, as his instruments. Hence, our sole aim should be to acknowledge the Lord's presence in every Holy Eucharist and proclaim to the people about the love of God, and love all as God would love them.
The Lord has built Don Bosco Parish Lingarajapuram. You and I are proud to be the children of God and followers of this great saint Don Bosco. May St.John Bosco, the lover of youth, intercede and continue to work miracles in our church and life and in a special way instill in all of us a deep love for the Holy Eucharist, which is the source and summit of all Christian faith.
Rev. Fr.Johnson K.P., sdb
Asst.Parish Priest
DON BOSCO CHURCH
No.5/10, Don Bosco Street,
Lingarajapuram Extn.
Bangalore- 560 084, INDIA
Phone-080-25488694
