St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

When you enter the church be aware of God’s presence. Near the door, on the wall, you will find a font of holy water. Sometimes it is a baptismal font that is located right as you enter the church. They both remind us of our baptismal origins. It was there that we died to sin. Remind yourself of your Baptism. Dip the tips of your fingers of your right hand into the blessed water and bless yourself. As you touch your forehead say to yourself: “In the name of the Father…,” and then touch your chest and say:… “and of the Son “ … and as you touch your left shoulder, say:…”Holy” and then as you touch right shoulder …”Spirit. Amen.” When you bless yourself, you recall this moment, forever marked as belonging to Christ. It often becomes a thoughtless habit, but make an effort to do it with meaning, recalling the sacred moment of your Baptism.

Whenever you enter a Catholic church, you will see a red light burning in the sanctuary. It is a sign of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the tabernacle: you are talking to someone, not something. Genuflect or bow toward the tabernacle. It is an act of adoration and acknowledging God’s presence in the Eucharist preserved in the tabernacle. It creates an awareness of God’s presence in your life: this is not yet another “business as usual” but a special and important act that is happening here. This is your time of visitation. This is a moment of your encounter with the Lord.

When you come to church, arrive early enough to spend time preparing yourself, clear your mind of all thoughts, making yourself available to His Presence. The conversations going on in your head may seem like important matters, but you may miss Him, who intends to join you.

“That very day two of his disciples were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.” (Luke 24”13-16)