Southern Nebraska Register
Sacred Heart Church in Crete will host the Vatican-approved international “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibit March 1 through March 7 in the parish hall, 515 E. 14th St., Crete.
The exhibit is free to view from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
About the exhibit
The exhibit features 39 panels that highlight some of the most powerful Eucharistic miracles of the world. The panels feature both graphic and written depictions of the miracles.
Eucharistic miracles consist of unexplainable phenomena occurring after transubstantiation, such as a host visibly transforming into human tissue, a host surviving fire, a host bleeding or the Eucharist alone providing sustenance to a human being for a prolonged period of time. In order to be considered a Eucharistic miracle, the event is investigated by a special task force before deciding it is worthy of belief. Secular sources are often used to investigate and confirm the miracle.
Belief in approved miracles is not mandated by the Catholic Church, but can reassure believers of God’s presence in the world.
The exhibit was designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, who created the art for the panels before his death from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He was beatified in 2020. Carlo received the sacrament of the Eucharist daily and desired to share the joy of Christ’s presence with the world through his God-given talents. The exhibit is presented in the United States by the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Society.
Knights of the Eucharist
While the exhibit is in Crete, the Knights of the Holy Eucharist will deliver compelling sessions about the Eucharist. The Knights of the Holy Eucharist are consecrated lay Franciscan brothers dedicated to fostering reverent devotion to Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The Knights were established in 1998 by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, P.C.P.A., well known as the foundress of EWTN. At that time, she needed a community of consecrated Franciscan brothers to help care for 400 acres of land and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, then still under construction in Hanceville, Ala.
The spirit of St. Francis, the “Knight-Errant of Assisi,” became a role model for the Knights; this spirit was demonstrated by St. Francis’ deep sense of faith, fiery enthusiasm for Christ, and readiness to battle for His kingdom on earth.
The Knights have served in the Diocese of Lincoln since 2016, at the invitation of Bishop James Conley.
The Knights of the Eucharist will present a one-hour session for the public at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Shorter sessions will be presented to students at St. James School in Crete Monday, March 6.
Sacred Heart in Crete
Sacred Heart Church in Crete has Eucharistic Adoration available every Friday.
Larry Koerner, a 47-year member parishioner and charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council #7704 at Sacred Heart, is heading the local project. He also serves as the Knights of Columbus State Council Faith Director.
Koerner said one of his goals as faith director is to promote the exhibit in parishes throughout Nebraska.
“We need to do all we can to educate people about the real presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist,” he said, “especially during the Eucharistic Revival.”
The Eucharistic Miracles display is on loan from Spirit Catholic Radio. For more information, visit spiritcatholicradio.com/miracles.
Eucharistic miracles at St. Peter Parish in Lincoln. SNR photos | Dennis Kellogg
