Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

As the Catholic Worldwide celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on Sunday 7th June 2026; Catholic faithful have been admonished to understand what they receive during Mass, the Eucharist, which is the abiding presence of God among His people.

Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ikechukwu, CSJ made the admonition during the Holy Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan. The priest added that consecration is where the power of priesthood lies, for removing Eucharist from the priesthood, the priesthood becomes meaningless.

According to Fr. Vitalis, Catholic believes Eucharist is rich in symbolism, the fullness and reality of Christ, unlike the separated brethren who only believe in its symbolism. “Christ becomes the Master of the Sanctuary and He is also the Tabernacle. He is Himself abundance of life. Hence, Eucharist becomes God’s kingdom in its fulfilment.”

The priest went further to say that three elements are received whenever one receives the Eucharist: the peace, beauty and the orderliness. According to Fr. Vitalis, Eucharist not only unites the faithful with the Universal Church but also with our brothers and sisters that have left this world to eternity and in turn unites all of us with the Church in Heaven.

Referencing Gospel of John, Chapter 6, where Christ made a contrast between the ordinary bread and the spiritual bread; the priest added that the contrast cannot be understood in human reality but in spiritual realm. To enter this reality, he enumerated three things that the faithful must endure thus: believing in the real presence of God in what we receive and give Him adoration; be elevated into the realm of prayer and then to glory.

He added that if care is not taking, pride may overwhelm the faithful but if this stage is properly managed, power comes in. The priest frowned at some Catholic faithful who fail to believe in the resulting power but which the Pentecostal so much believe in.

Fr. Vitalis enjoined all to crucify their body in order to unlock that power by understanding what they receive, avoid receiving it when not prepared and constantly going to confession. He concluded by praying for the grace to come to realization of the presence of power in the Catholic Church.

At the day’s Mass which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Arnaud Aniou, CSJ; members of the Board of Lectors from the parish that were commissioned by the Archbishop the previous Sunday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lade, Ibadan, came out for special thanksgiving and were joined by co-lectors and the parishioners.