Religious, lay observers speak of healing power of Eucharist

Published: 2005-10-13

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Eucharist has the power to heal shattered lives and even transform the world, but first it needs to permeate people's daily existence, said some participants at the Synod of Bishops. Their testimony Oct. 12 was the first time synod fathers heard the voices of 25 lay and religious women and men, who offered their perspective and experience in promoting the power of the Eucharist. These observers do not have voting power in the Oct. 2-23 synod, but they were invited to offer their views. Their remarks, or portions of them, were released by the Vatican. Sister Elvira Petrozzi, a founder of the Cenacle Community in Italy, told of the healing power she has seen resulting from eucharistic prayer. For 22 years she has worked with homeless adults, children and drug addicts. Canossian Sister Margaret Wong of Hong Kong told participants that church workers promoted eucharistic adoration for physically and mentally disabled people, they found there were many apparently normal, but still vulnerable people who needed God's loving embrace.

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