How to be His: A 33-Day Dedication to Our Eucharistic Jesus
by Fr. Jesse J. Maingot, O.P and Fr. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P. with Dan Burke
Published by Sophia Institute Press
Also available as an ebook and audiobook on the Saintifi app
As a busy mom, I don’t have a lot of time to go on retreats (I am loving this blessed season of littles, of course!). That’s why I love books like How to be His: A 33-Day Dedication to Our Eucharistic Jesus. Everyday I read this devotional, I felt like I was at a mini retreat at home. Most importantly, it gave me an even deeper and more profound appreciation of the Eucharist and our Eucharistic Lord. It was wonderful to ponder this mystery for 33 days, and I highly recommend picking it up for the month of April which is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist!
The Format of this Book
The book is separated into 3 parts:
- Teachings on the Eucharist
- Eucharistic Saints
- Scripture with Eucharist Themes
Each chapter is short, but powerful and packed with many teachings, thoughts, and reflections for your enjoyment and contemplation. Each chapter ends with a prayer related to the theme of the chapter as well as a few reflection questions that I enjoyed writing about in my journal.
Personal Takeaways
I got to much out of this book, and I can see myself returning to it again in the future. These were my favorite personal takeaways.
Using Every Opportunity to Prepare for the Mass I Will Attend
In the first section, I was struck when the meditation focused on how we can use every moment of everyday to prepare for our next Mass when we will receive Jesus in the Eucharist. It caused me to reflect on moments when I am impatient, and how I can turn my gaze and thoughts to our Eucharistic Lord in those times. It sustained me to think about the next time that I would receive Him!
As We Gaze on Jesus, He Gazes on Us
I also loved pondering the section that explained how the Lord is gazing at us as we gaze at Him in the Eucharist! Now, every time I visit Him in adoration or during the Elevation in the Consecration, I feel His presence even more knowing that He is loving gazing back at me.
Witness of Saints Devoted to the Eucharist
There were familiar saints and new saints that I enjoyed reading about in this section. Each one had a strong devotion to the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration. Many powerful saints and teaching from the different saints were also included. The witness of each saint in the section inspired me to follow his or her example.
Scripture
The last 11 days were devoted to Scripture passages related to the Eucharist. Passages came from both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament selections were surprising to me, yet very rich and encouraged deep reflection. This isn’t a deep Bible study, but has more reflections from the authors. I thought that the balance between Scripture and reflection was good. It gave me time and space to reflect more on my own.
Final Thoughts
This was a perfect home retreat for me during the final 33 days of Lent. This book can be read any time of the year to increase your devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. This would also be a great devotional to bring to Adoration. I found myself more motivated to pop into the church or chapel for Adoration more, and I found that I had a new appreciation of receiving Him in Holy Communion. This would be a great book for new or seasoned Catholics. It would also be wonderful to read with your spouse, friend, or in a book club. April is also the perfect time to pick up this book to enjoy during Easter and during the month dedicated to the Holy Eucharist.
You can find How to be His: A 33-Day Dedication to Our Eucharistic Jesus at Sophia Institute Press.
It is also available as an ebook and audiobook on the Saintifi app.
