Stir the third holy desire this Lent: Long for intimate, face-to-face union with Christ in the Eucharist, where He gives Himself wholly. Shun the unholy cravings for fleshly passions that fracture divine communion. In this 90-minute session, led by David L. Gray, savor the source and summit of Christian life, as the liturgy unites us to Christ’s sacrifice.

Session Outcomes

By day’s end, you’ll:

• Hear doctrine on Christ’s real, substantial presence—body, blood, soul, and divinity—in both species, fueling supernatural desire.
• Experience spiritual communion prayer, tasting heavenly banquet amid Lenten fasting.
• Learn to contrast Eucharistic longing (prompted by grace for total self-gift) with worldly appetites blocking transubstantiation’s grace.
• Apply resolutions for frequent reception and adoration, aligning desires with the Paschal Mystery.

“Christ, true God and true Man, is present whole and entire under the two species and in each of them.” (Synod of Bishops, The Eucharist, prop. 21.)

What You’ll Experience (90-Minute Breakdown)

1. Opening Prayer (0-10 min): Pray the Anima Christi (“Soul of Christ, sanctify me”) and Spiritual Communion from the liturgy, awakening hunger for Christ’s flesh as Lenten manna.
2. Teaching Talk (10-40 min): Delve into the holy desire to “yearn for Eucharistic union, receiving Christ supernaturally as essential for divinization.” Contrast with the unholy desire to “crave fleshly passions, preferring created goods over the Creator.” Lent’s Eucharist re-presents Calvary, disposing us via sacrifice; ministers act in persona Christi. “The sacrificial nature of the Mass… is reaffirmed… Christ is the one and only priest.” Key insights: Transubstantiation changes substance while appearances remain; the Mass renews the Church until Christ’s return.
3. Silent Reflection (40-60 min):
   • Adoration meditation on John 6 (“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man…”).
   • Journal: “How do fleshly cravings hinder my Eucharistic intimacy?”
4. Group Sharing (60-80 min): In small breakouts, respond to: “What unholy appetites compete with your desire for Christ?” – moderated for discretion and hope.
5. Closing & Commissioning (80-90 min): Thanksgiving after Communion prayer; homework: Eucharistic Holy Hour, track desires in examen.

Why This Matters for Lent

The liturgy, restored for active participation, pours graces through the Eucharist—”source and summit”—transforming Lenten penance into Easter resurrection. Emerge with purified desires, united to Christ who feeds us for mission.

Included: Digital workbook page with Anima Christi, Spiritual Communion, and John 6 lectio. Prepare by fasting before the session if desired.