Text of the Eucharistic adoration of February 11, 2019

Our Blessed Virgin of Lourdes

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and we celebrate the day of the sick people. Every day we see how many people suffer from physical illnesses and sometimes suffering is a cross that lasts a lifetime. We see strong, splendid souls who face their illness with bravery and are also capable to help those who are better off than themselves. We see parents who struggle desperately to save their children; they have their hearts in pieces and still manage to smile. Some, through suffering, they rediscover God, are reborn to the divine grace and shout to the world how wonderful the life that has been given to us is. Others, on the other hand, fail to accept their condition, cannot find the strength and fall to despair.

This evening, Lord, we want to pray to You for the latter, so that they may accept the suffering in the body because this is possible and it is a source of personal growth and an example for others.

The sick person is closer and more like the crying Christ who helps him to carry the weight of the Cross.

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; Let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Our Lady has often called this place "my little Lourdes" because this place is thaumaturgic; here it is possible to meet God and receive graces and healings, both physical and spiritual, if this is in conformity with the divine will. When suffering becomes really big, our human weakness is felt and the devil tries to distance us from God, who, instead, is our only refuge. This is what Bishop Claudio taught us and repeated many times: "Jesus is our friend. Do not ever forget it. In times of trials, in times when doubts surface, when uncertainty is capturing our heart and suffering is crushing our souls in a devastating grip, it is in those times that we have to raise our eyes to Heaven and while crying out, repeat the verse that you will be reading when the Responsorial Psalm will be uttered: "You are, Lord, our salvation". And with that, my dear people, I shall end these words coming from my heart, a heart, believe me, tried hard enough, but it is now raising to God and by raising to God it finds support, backing, aid, comfort and intercession from Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Eucharist, grandmother Jolanda and our sister Marisa, victims and silent worshippers, lovers of the Eucharist”.

(From the homily of Bishop Claudio Gatti, September 14, 2009)