What is a eucharistic miracle? This is the question that guided Debra Blodgett’s efforts in preparing the youth to receive confirmation and first holy Communion at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Suttons Bay.
INSPIRATION FROM A SOON-TO-BE-SAINT
“My inspiration for researching the various miracles came from learning about Blessed Carlo Acutis, who was recently approved by the Holy Father for canonization and will be the first millennial saint. Carlo had a great love for the Eucharist, and he would visit eucharistic miracle sites throughout the world on his family vacations,” she offers.
“When I started explaining Carlo’s story to the students,” explains Debra, “they were immediately drawn to learning more about him and to carrying a Blessed Carlo pendant with them to school each day.
“They would pray that Carlo watches over – them and that like him,
they may always be close to Jesus as this was Carlo’s life plan and guiding vision. His works inspired me to bring the eucharistic miracle display (that Carlo created for all to see) from the Marian Center in Joy Valley to the parish for the children,” she continues.
“I wanted all those preparing to receive their sacraments to know they are truly receiving the sacred body and blood of Jesus each time they receive Communion. By hosting the display of roughly 150 eucharistic miracle stories throughout the world, students and parishioners were able to deepen their faith journey by experiencing direct and documented instances of Christ revealing himself to the faithful.”
PILGRIMAGES
Three of Debra’s students took pilgrimages — two in Michigan and one in Argentina. “We call this ‘taking our faith on the road.’ The goal of this concept is to always make faith a priority when traveling,” says Debra.
“The concept behind this is to use Blessed Carlo’s model of visiting miracle sites as inspiration for the faithful to grow in love for Christ intimately received in the Eucharist. Subsequently is the exposure to diverse cultures and Catholic worship traditions that reflect the beauty and universal elements of Catholicism.”
“This is the goal and my desire: for all those receiving their sacraments for the first or repeated time to know that when the priest consecrates the host, the faithful truly receives the divine, intimate love of Christ in the Eucharist,” ends Debra.
LOCAL PILGRIMAGES
All Saints Parish
“In June 2023, we attended the Saturday evening Mass at All Saints Parish while camping in Alpena for the weekend,” reflects Amanda Jackson. “It was a special trip for us as our cousin, Father Michael Lingaur, was celebrating the Mass.
“I still remember the look on my children’s faces when they walked into the church and stared up at the huge columns and beautiful paintings of the saints along the front of the sanctuary. When we got home from our trip, we looked up several of the saints from the painting and read their life stories to the children.
“It was an inspirational experience for my four children, especially John, Jr., because he received his sacraments in spring 2024, and the pilgrimage was an opportunity to learn about many saints,” continues Amanda.
“In particular, I was most interested in St. Michael the archangel because of his courage and warrior-like qualities,” said John Jackson, Jr. “He encourages me to live my faith with zeal and steadfast commitment.”
Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine
“We visited the Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine several times before, but this past Holy Thursday we took a special pilgrimage to the shrine with two of our grandchildren who were about to make their first holy Communion and confirmation,” says Judy Skowronski.
“My first thought when I saw the huge crucifix for the first time was how tall it is,” reflects 11-year-old Kenzie Skowronski. “When I look back on the day at the shrine, I am very grateful to my grandparents for bringing me there. The experience was memorable because the crucifix demonstrates Christ’s love for us and that he died for our sins. Receiving Christ for the first time in the Eucharist was amazing; I feel more connected to him now that I can receive him at each Mass,” she adds.
Carter Skowronski, 10, echoes those sentiments, offering: “I enjoyed the museum and most especially the pictures of the construction of the cross. The experience helped me understand who I am receiving in the Eucharist. I was pretty nervous on the day of first holy Communion, but I am very thankful that I can now receive the body and blood of Christ at each Mass.”
“This pilgrimage gave us a memorable opportunity to share our Catholic faith and answer the many questions that the kids had,” ends grand-mother Judy.
