Encounters with Jesus fills hearts with hope as diocese and the faithful celebrate solemnity of Corpus Christi

ORLANDO  | The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando filled to the brim with faithful eager to celebrate the Eucharistic Pilgrimage: The Gift of Sacred Mystery June 21, 2025. People of various cultures gathered as one physically and spiritually to honor the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the body of Christ.

Prior to Mass, keynote speaker Father Miguel González, rector of St. James Cathedral, spoke about Christ’s presence in the Church.

“Christ calls each and every one of us to be Pilgrims of Hope, to be companions on this journey with the hope that one day we make it to heaven. That is His deepest desire. Do we accept that loving invitation?” he asked.

Focusing attention on Jesus’ ongoing presence in the tabernacle, Father González pointed to the sanctuary lamp that is always lit. “Jesus is here waiting for every one of us,” he said. “That should fill our hearts with hope, with opportunity to encounter Him.”

He asked the congregation to consider the following to strengthen their hope and share that hope with others: the ability to listen, to accompany, and to be available. “That’s what Jesus does for us,” he said. “Jesus waits for us in the tabernacle because He wants to listen to you and to me. We come on a journey from the home to the Church — that’s a pilgrimage.” He noted it is a pilgrimage filled with hope because it is “life-giving” and “transforming”.

Recalling being a young boy accompanying his father to visit the Blessed Sacrament, he watched as his father whispered words to Jesus as he knelt before Him. His father smiled as he spoke to Jesus and even shed tears. It was not until later in Father González’s life that he realized his father was thanking, and acknowledging God’s goodness, “turning to the Lord with great honestly to ask for wisdom,” “for strength to fill his heart that the Lord would guide him,” Father González said. “Without fear he would bare his soul to the Lord,” he recalled.

But the prayers he spoke to Jesus did not consist of a monologue. He also allowed Jesus to speak to his heart.

“The central aspect of Jesus’ ministry was to show compassion to those who are overwhelmed, who are burdened, who are tired, to tell us, I am here,” he said noting the Blessed Sacrament offers the gift of peace that strengthens our lives.

Acknowledging the beauty in that accompaniment Father González said, “Wherever we go, He is with us. That should fill us with hope, peace, and security.”

He reminded everyone, “We too are tabernacles. Jesus dwells in us. We are called to be Eucharist for one another.”

The words flowed seamlessly into Bishop John Noonan’s homily that reflected on the various popes who served as “architects of peace” in the years following World War II to the present Leo XIV.

Reflecting on Pope Leo’s first words to the world as pope, “Peace be with you,” the bishop explained this peace is only possible through Christ, because of the sacrifice of His body and blood.

He said that peace “is received at Church when one blesses themself with holy water, visits Christ in the tabernacle, and receives Christ in Holy Communion.” Through these gifts our hearts become like His, he said.

“We need to rediscover our human and divine hearts which are searching, looking and asking for the love of Jesus Christ. We need to rediscover Christ in the Eucharist so we know we are receiving a gift from God, His Son, so we can love our brothers and sisters in the world today,” said Bishop Noonan.

Quoting Pope Francis’ last encyclical, Dilexit Nos, he said, “The heart of Christ is ecstasy, openness, gift and encounter. In the heart we learn to relate to one another in a wholesome and happy ways and to build up this world, God’s kingdom, out of love, out of justice, out of peace.” The bishop added, “Our hearts united with the heart of Christ are capable of working this social miracle.”

He urged reception of the Eucharist and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament noting “it prepares our hearts and souls and allows us to enter in Communion with Jesus Christ and with the whole of the Trinity.” “You are what you eat. It is in receiving the body of Christ that we receive the strength of unity with God and with one another,” he said. “Christ is calling us to serve, to do good. As mother, father, teacher, healer, priest, doctor, sister, brother—all of us are called to serve and to carry out Christ’s mission in the world – peace on earth and goodwill to all… peace that is lasting, peace that heals.”

To hear Father Miguel González’s talk, click here.

Click here to watch the cultural communities adore Jesus.

Click here to download photos from the event.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, June 26, 2025