In this catechesis we want to speak about the central place of the Eucharist in the life of the Church and its influence on the life of Elizabeth Eppinger. We, the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer, founded by Mother Alphonse Marie – by her own name Elizabeth Eppinger – know very well that her relationship with the Eucharist was a very strong one. We would like to share something of that relationship with you.
1. About the Eucharist
The Eucharist is the saving presence of the crucified and risen Christ in the midst of his people. When did Elizabeth Eppinger begin to develop her relationship with the Eucharist? Already at school age, very intensely and intimately. In her Autobiography she says:
“The instruction on the Eucharist which the parish priest gave us made a very deep impression on me. […] Whenever I had to pass by the church, I walked very slowly, so that I could repeat the prayer of praise several times near the Blessed Sacrament.”
2. The Church lives from the Eucharist
The Eucharist – sacrifice and banquet – is the most precious thing the Church can possess on her journey through history. In Elizabeth a strong desire grows to receive the Eucharist and to share in the life and suffering of Jesus. When she asks Father Reichard to be allowed to receive more often, she says: “In everything I do, I want to please God.”
3. The Eucharist – the creative power of community
The Eucharist is the source of the unity of the Church for every human family, community, country and for the world. Elizabeth Eppinger, after the founding of the congregation Mother Alphonse Marie, always remained a great venerator of the Eucharist, and with this love she built up the congregation as a community of love. The first rules state: “In the central house perpetual adoration of the Eucharist is to be held […] If the community is not numerous enough, each sister must make an hour of adoration privately in the chapel.”
4. The Eucharist – a banquet of thanksgiving
The Eucharist is truly the centre of the life of the Church, its heart. Mother Alphonse Marie too found in the Eucharist the true centre of her life, of her service and the spiritual energy for fulfilling the tasks of the apostolate. With her gaze fixed on the Eucharist she built up the community of the sisters and strengthened its unity — and in this spirit the congregation lives to this day.