"I was in awe. My theology of the Real Presence was that of a sixth grader, and my Latin was in its infancy, so large parts of the history and lore of the sacrament were going way over my head, but I felt privileged to be there and observe from up close the mystery in which Christ's body and blood were somehow actually confected from ordinary bread and wine. If my own faith had not confirmed the fact of that event, Monsignor Flanagan's faith in it surely would have. All you have heard, he seemed to be saying, is true.
And when on other days I would glimpse Monsignor in the priest's sacristy before Mass, kneeling with arthritic pain on his prie-dieu, and solemnly adoring Christ in the tabernacle, I would understand that if it was all true, if Jesus was really there, you'd be insolent and vain to do other than what the old priest so reverently did."
"Eucharist" by Ron Hansen
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