Laura Malczon, parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, joined faithful from all over the Diocese of Allentown in consecrating herself to the Holy Eucharist on June 7, as part of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Diocese.
For Malczon, the Prayer of Consecration during Mass was a powerful culmination of 33 days of preparation. Having received a copy of “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Matthew Kelly from her parish, she read the book each day leading up to June 7.
She was particularly struck by the concept of being a pilgrim, which was emphasized in days one and two of the preparation.
“The readings sparked discussion between my husband and I,” Malczon said. “We found them very thought-provoking … oftentimes, I was moved to tears.”
After consecration, when asked if she would recommend the process to others, Malczon said, “Yes, a thousand times yes!”
The consecration was not just a single moment of prayer for Malczon, but rather a journey that elevated the way she thought about Jesus’ presence in her life.
“Something particularly powerful was the recognition that we ourselves are tabernacles,” she said. “When we think about where Jesus is, where the nearest Tabernacle is, we need to include ourselves.”
Malczon identified “mindfulness and reverence in receiving the Body of Christ” as an ongoing benefit of making the consecration.
One section of the Prayer of Consecration reads: “Grant me the grace, wisdom, and courage, to live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with You, my God, all the days of my life.”
AD Today will be featuring a series of articles on people who completed the Diocesan Eucharistic Consecration and are seeking to live out this commitment to “live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly” with God. If you are interested in sharing your own testimony, contact Genevieve Anatalio at goconnor@allentowndiocese.org.
Those who missed the diocesan consecration can still make a consecration on their own. Ask your parish if they have extra copies of “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory.”
Copy Permalink
