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The Holy Eucharist: Our Sacrament of Hope, by Daniel B. Gallagher – Brown Pelican Society of Lousiana

The Holy Eucharist: Our Sacrament of Hope, by Daniel B. Gallagher

Guadalupe at Lepanto, by Sean Fitzpatrick
December 12, 2024
Saint of the Day for December 13: Saint Lucy (283 – 304)
December 13, 2024

Photo by Fr. Barry Braum on Unsplash

By Daniel B. Gallagher, Catholic Exchange, Dec. 13, 2024

Daniel B. Gallagher, a Lecturer in Literature and Philosophy at Ralston College, holds degrees in philosophy and theology from the Catholic University of America and the Pontifical Gregorian University.

 

Avatar photoMy grandfather, a Catholic convert, had lived with my parents for several years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The debilitating effects of the disease, which remarkably paralleled those of Pope Saint John Paul II, were heartbreaking to witness since, like the saintly pope, he had been physically active until the onset.

One afternoon, sensing the end was near, he squeezed my mother’s hand to indicate that he was ready for his final confession, anointing, and holy communion. After receiving the sacraments, he fell into an even deeper sleep. …