The Church devotes the month of July to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus, and we celebrate the traditional feast on July 1. On this day, and throughout the month of July, the Church encourages us to meditate on the profound sacrifice of Jesus and the pouring out of His blood for humanity. Currently, in the United States, the Catholic Church is celebrating the National Eucharistic Congress. Following this event, it has been beautiful to witness thousands of Catholics adoring the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist has traveled all over the United States, culminating in a gathering at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. The aim of the Congress is to restore the truth that Christ comes to us in the Eucharist, offering Himself to us: Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. He nourishes us, offering Himself as 'our daily bread'.

It is easy for us to overlook this extraordinary gift, and at times we forget that Jesus is not symbolically present in the Eucharist but truly present! This is why we offer our staff and students the opportunity to encounter Christ in the Mass celebrated many times during the year and on a weekly basis through our class Masses with the parish and our Friday 8am Mass, which I encourage families, students, and staff to attend. The devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus reminds us that it is the 'source and summit of our faith'. You can access some of the wonderful and inspiring addresses of the conference here.

Paul Sammut
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission