By Rosalyn “Rosie” Ferreiras
My spontaneous trip to Indiana to attend the 10th National Eucharistic Congress began months before in Eucharistic Adoration. I asked the Lord, “Why have you created; what is your Holy Will for me?” and when I closed my eyes, he presented his mother, Our Lady of Grace.
At that moment, I asked Jesus to “teach me to love her the way you love her.” It only took an open heart to get the ball rolling. Soon after, I was gifted a trip to Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I accepted despite being confused about why I was chosen for this trip.
In preparation for that trip, I chose to do the program as laid out in “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort. I did it from June 13 to July 16, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and also the day the National Eucharistic Congress began.
Leading up to the NEC, I started experiencing what I thought was FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Before this, I had no intention of going because I feared it would only be a “hangout” for many. But our Lord and his mother had other plans for me.
On the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, while at work, my mind was racing with the idea of buying a bus ticket and heading to Indiana, making it impossible to focus on work. On July 17, I gave into the racing thought and purchased a ticket to depart from Chinatown at 9 p.m. and arrive in Indianapolis the next morning.
I planned to get to the congress Friday morning and head back to New York the following day. I purchased my ticket with no place to sleep and said a small prayer: “Lord, you will provide.”
Soon after, it came to mind to ask a friend, Jennifher, if she was at the congress, and if so, could I bunk with her for one night? A few hours later, through the prayers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with the help of Jennifher, I would have a place to sleep for the night Carmel, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis.
I made it to Indiana at 8 a.m. and saw on social media that the registration lines were long. I had only been in the state for a few hours after the long trip, so standing in a long line was not part of my plans. I said a prayer: “Jesus, please help me get through the lines.” When the taxi dropped me off at the front of Lucas Oil Stadium, I ran over to the registration line a block away. I was the third person on the line. The Lord answered my short prayer. A rush of people came after me.
The first encounter session I attended was with Dr. Mary Healy, a professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Later in the day, the Lord healed my left eye from a foggy vision that had made it difficult to see for about three weeks.
That night, after finding it difficult to leave Saturday morning, I said a short prayer, “Jesus, if you want me to stay, you need to change all these numbers,” about the cost of purchasing a new bus ticket. Two minutes later, I received a text from Greyhound announcing that because of a delay to my trip, there was an opportunity to reschedule for any date or time for free! So, with a new return ticket for Sunday night, all that was left was Congress tickets.
Sunday Mass with Cardinal Luis Tagle, who Pope Francis sent to be his special envoy, was more of Jesus showing me how much he loves me, providing me the seats close to the altar behind the seminarians, and also, allowing the grace of his presence to be felt during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
My trip to Indianapolis was all in God’s will. What I thought was my desire and plans, God provided it to be his. The FOMO I experienced days prior was motivated by the Holy Spirit through the prayers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Every step of the way, God provided and led me. He provided me with new bus tickets free of charge, discounted tickets to the congress, and a place to sleep. He provided healing, both physical and spiritual, and if that wasn’t enough, he wrapped me in his love and peace during Mass.
The Eucharist has been and continues to be the center of my relationship with Jesus. Through Adoration the Lord has led me, through Mass he has taught me, and through frequent Communion and monthly confession he has guided me.
I encourage you all, if you are confused, lost, alone, depressed, or grieving, to lay at the feet of Jesus through Eucharistic Adoration.
And, if you have doubts about the Eucharist, ask Jesus to help you understand. He is always willing to teach. You just need to be open to pour into his hands all your doubts and worries. Also, give alms, volunteer in your parish through becoming a lector, an extraordinary eucharistic minister, cleaning and repairing the church, or most importantly, becoming a catechist.
Our Church needs faithful, God-fearing catechists. They are the ones who evangelize our future priests and religious. Pray for me as I pray that you draw closer to the Lord and fall in love with the Eucharist.