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Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, was beatified in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 10, 2020. (Courtesy Sainthood Cause of Carlo Acutis)

In revering Eucharist, young Hickory parishioners follow example of fallen Italian


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Catholic Review Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Eucharist, Feature, Local News, News, Saints

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The Year of the Eucharist will come into greater focus Sunday, Oct. 31, the Eve of All Saints’ Day, when the Archdiocese of Baltimore will observe “Christ in the Congregation,” another reminder of the Real Presence. In that same spirit, St. Ignatius, Hickory, in Forest Hill, will welcome “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibit and a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, its creator, Nov. 3-7. The following article looks at two young Hickory parishioners who are continuing his work.

Abigail Huber with friends at Camp Veritas 2021. (Courtesy Rebecca Huber)

After encountering the real presence of Jesus in eucharistic adoration and procession, young parishioners of St. Ignatius, Hickory in Forest Hill, Abigail Huber and Benjamin Boegner, were set on fire with conviction, love and passion for the Eucharist.

In the midst of peers who might be non-religious, these “normal” kids, just like Blessed Carlo Acutis, became disciples of Christ not just at church and the streets, but on the web.

“The Year of the Eucharist sits very well with the theology of our parish,” said Monsignor James Barker, pastor of St. Ignatius, who started adoration after daily Mass shortly after he arrived about 20 years ago. “We are a very Eucharist-centered community.

“I hope we can take the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist and share it through our prayer and the way we treat people. The world needs that today.”

Huber, 15, who is home-schooled in Abingdon, is an altar server and sacristan, only the second girl to serve in the latter capacity at the parish, which was founded in 1792.

She recalled seeing her youth minister light up when he talked about God and likened receiving the Eucharist to “Christmas arriving early.”

Huber had a similar experience at Camp Veritas, a Catholic summer camp, where she experienced a “life-changing night.” She described a room full of joy and love, many youths crying, and a priest blessing with the monstrance every camper.

“If this is what it feels like on earth, I cannot imagine how amazingly overjoyed we are going to be in heaven,” said Huber, who aspires to study theology and psychology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.

Benjamin Boegner’s FOCUS mission took him to the U.S. Military Academy. (Courtesy Benjamin Boegner)

Her “love for talking about Jesus” inspired Huber to start an Instagram account (@cartography.ofthe.bible) in which she shares the truth of the Catholic faith, the joy of the Eucharist and her eucharistic experiences with others, especially youths.

Boegner, a native of White Hall, volunteered in  youth and young adult ministry at the parish before becoming a ­FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

He’s also pursuing a master’s degree in psychology online through Divine Mercy University, and is considering the priesthood.

“I started asking Monsignor Barker questions about discerning the priesthood,” Boegner said, “He is an incredible leader and very solid in his faith.”

In two years at West Point, Boegner and his FOCUS team have organized weekly eucharistic adoration and Sunday Mass. He has led three Bible studies and started a group for men struggling with pornography and masturbation, “to help them break free from that vice.”

While the Internet can be used for the wrong purposes, it can also be used for good, such as the collection of miracles of the Eucharist undertaken by Blessed Carlos Acutis, an Italian youth who died at age 15. Boegner cites the potential patron saint of the internet to cadets as an average guy who would play videogames and do coding, all while living for the Lord.

“There are a lot of guys who think they are not worthy of preaching the Gospel, so I tell them about this millennial saint,” Boegner said. “It helps cadets to understand that they can do homework and pursue the Lord.”

Abigail Huber, left, and Desirée Conrad, her cousin, stop at Mount St. Mary’s University’s Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Emmitsburg. (Courtesy Rebecca Huber)

Blessed Acutis was the chosen intercessor for SEEK 2020, held virtually due to COVID-19, which had cadets in  the West Point chapel for pre-recorded videos and live events.

“The more I would get to know him (Blessed Acutis),” Boegner said, “the more I would recognize the Eucharist, particularly during Mass when the priest would consecrate the host. I even started to bow at this moment. It might have been that he was praying for me.”

In a YouTube video about the Year of the Eucharist, Archbishop William E. Lori quotes Blessed Acutis: “When we face the sun we get a tan, but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints.”

The Knights of Columbus at St. Ignatius, Hickory, are sponsoring “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World” exhibit and a first-class relic of Blessed Acutis, its creator, Nov. 3-7.

Monsignor Barker, who tries to spend 15-20 minutes “in the sanctuary along with the Lord” every day, is excited about the display coming to his parish.

“I think the Eucharist is a gift beyond match,” he said. “I hope by having the display here, some of our young people will appreciate what a gift that the Lord has given us in this Sacrament.”

For more about the Year of the Eucharist, visit www.archbalt.org/year-of-the-eucharist

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

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