“The Eucharist is the center of all our community and missionary life because it is God himself”. This sentence from the Statutes of the Shalom Catholic Community (n. 67) summarizes the central role it occupies in the life of its members. A place of encounter with the Risen One who passed through the Cross, a privileged place of intercession, and also of mission.
Therefore, in various evangelization centers of the Shalom Catholic Community, Eucharistic Adoration is present in a perpetual way. In the heart of the cities an oasis is offered for all those who are thirsty for peace.
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is also present in the contemplative houses of the community. Centers for formation, intercession for the Church, for young people and for the evangelizing mission of the Shalom Catholic Community.
“Blessed is the one whom you choose and invite to dwell in your courts. We will be filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. We will be satisfied with the goods of your house, with the sanctity of your temple.” Thus João Carlos, missionary of the Community of Life summarizes, quoting Psalm 65, 5, the experience of living in the Contemplative House of Santo Amaro (SP).
This presence of Jesus is truly transforming, in every adoration, in every vigil, every day in the prayer of three in the afternoon (a moment dedicated in particular to intercession), in other community moments such as praise and prayer. Living in this house, I daily gather the fruits of the Risen One that are enclosed in the Eucharist, the place of his visible presence and the source from which abundant grace flows for the mission, for the community, for the church, young people and all people.
For which I place myself in front of the altar and intercede.
Yara Morais, also a missionary in the contemplative house, tells of the great grace of being able to intercede for so many people, for so many needs that come.
Yes, I experience God present daily, there, in the tabernacle or displayed on the altar, there is the “God with us”, Emmanuel.
Starting from this great truth I can testify that having him with me makes me live a missionary life, he gives full meaning to my offer of life. I relate to Jesus in the Eucharist as with a true friend. So if I am happy or sad, distressed or calm, tired or willing, in every situation He remains exposed on the altar, He exposes me to Him and in the end I always experience that His Love is enough!
From the Eucharist, a total offering in which Christ gives himself entirely, I am pushed to give my life, in response to so much love, I also learn with him to give myself, with my weaknesses, limits, with my humanity, with my poor love, but with my immense desire to love him.Thus He gives Himself to me, I to Him and to others.
And last but not least, in Adoration I am consoled to be able to intercede.Knowing that where the Son is are also the Father and the Holy Spirit. It is consoling to know that the father takes care of us, looks at everyone entrusted with intercession, He made us, He knows us, He is God. I am conquered by the intercession at the feet of the Living Christ and I can testify, not by myself.
Myself or my strength, miracles of work, children found, healings! He is the God who healed and freed so many, who intervened in the lives of so many, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. In joy or in pain, He remains!