"I do not know," the pastor had said, "whether she will see the Saviour today." This occurs only when she has passed the night in expiatory suffering. Then she can receive an entire host, although ordinarily she swallows a small part with difficulty. The parish Mass was over now and the pastor took his time, even though his little lamb was almost passing away with longing for the sacred food. I almost felt like begging him in sympathy to hurry. First the children were dismissed in order, and I do not know what else was done in the church. Only then did he put on a surplice and stole and finally appear at the corner of the altar, holding the white host above the ciborium. Although she was tiredly leaning over the kneeling-bench before, now she sat upright with her hands respectfully folded, waiting in adoration.

"He nodded to me to come close to Therese's chair for the most sacred moment. This I could easily do without being noticed by her. I knelt alongside her, about a step from her, so that I could see and observe everything. The priest came a step nearer. Therese in a rapture opened both arms wide and stretched them toward the Sacred Host. Her eyes were not directed to the host but to a Figure which I could not see. She can see the Saviour Himself, the Risen One, whom I see only under the veil of bread. Fully a minute, if not longer, the priest stood still and I used the time to calmly and carefully see and observe all as well as to impress it on my mind."

The Story of Therese Neumann
Albert Paul Schimberg

Reprinted from , a lay apostolate dedicated to renewing appreciation for the Mass as the greatest gift which God has given to His beloved spouse, the Church. Their mission is to show how, in the Eucharistic Liturgy, Jesus renews and transforms us–and the world–in His life and love.