As I get older and walk farther along with the Lord, the shock of loneliness mellows, but the pain persists. I am able to more quickly identify a feeling of loneliness—in my marriage, friendships, work, or church community—and to acknowledge it as just that: a feeling. Identifying loneliness for what it is helps shift my mindset from victim to one of acceptance of my human condition. We all feel lonely sometimes.
The Good News is that, as Christians, we know that, although feelings of loneliness are an inevitable part of life, we are never alone. We know that Jesus is ever-present to us. Our Good Shepherd, our Prince of Peace, our Beloved.
Bringing My Loneliness Before Him
Earlier this year brought a season of extreme loneliness for me in all areas of my life. I felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole in most arenas of life. Along with loneliness rose questions of worth, doubts about relationships, and anxieties about decision-making. The feelings I was battling reminded me of another season of loneliness several years before. That season nearly suffocated me, but this time, I knew what the answer was. Or rather, Who.
My remedy was found in the presence of Our Eucharistic Lord. Adoration became a consolation for me, where the spiritual reality of Jesus' nearness to me was lived out physically. The Eucharist was my place of refuge, truth, and hope. Upon Him I cast my cares and found freedom from fear of abandonment, because my home is in Him.
Never Alone
Knowing that I am not alone in either my feelings of loneliness or my preference for His presence in the Eucharist, we asked women in the Blessed is She community to tell us about times in which Jesus in the Eucharist has been a source of consolation.
"My grandfather died recently and Jesus has been a constant source of reassurance and comfort. I know He’s there and that He cares. I go over every day with Him how I’ve been doing with my grief, and I know He listens and truly cares; as a Father, as a spouse, as a friend and as my Beloved God who never leaves."
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"My heart cries for Him when I am feeling lonely. Going to spend time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament heals my heart like nothing else. I receive peace that can be found nowhere else. Today I wanted to go to adoration—I arrived at the church to find they had “cancelled” that time with Jesus and locked the church doors. I went to the window I know He rests behind and sat on the grass outside the church to be near to Him. Even though I couldn’t see Him, I felt His reassuring presence. My heart is going through a lot right now and just knowing He was there with me meant everything!"
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"A few years ago I felt stuck in my career and in life feeling like I’ve missed all my opportunities and felt the lack of good friends in my life. Getting to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament just walking distance from where I stayed gave me solace and peace, I was able to pour out to Him all my worries, regrets, and fears. I became thankful for that time spent alone with Him, I realized I had so much that I needed to get right with God before anything else. Lately I’ve been feeling lonely again, this just reminded me that maybe I need to meet Him in prayer again, maybe it’s been a while."
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"Years ago when I went through a hard bit of depression. The thing that kept me going was forcing myself to go to Sunday and receive the Eucharist. It was a physical reminder I wasn't alone when I needed Jesus most."
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"During the time I find out I had something wrong with my health. I was scared and lonely. I would go to adoration and receive Jesus at the Eucharist and I was never alone. Jesus was alway there. I am so small and He held my hand through the whole time. I love You, Jesus! God is greater than I."
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"When I, together with my parents and two younger siblings, moved here to the U.S. from the Philippines when I was 16, away from my friends, family, and everything I was familiar with. Also, when I was a new mom with my first born. There were times when it felt isolating. But God is always faithful. He is my stronghold and my anchor. During those times I have learned that God is enough and He is all I need. He gives us everything that we need. People come and go in our lives, but God remains constant. If we fix our eyes on Him, everything will fall on its rightful place at His perfect time."
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"During my first year of college (last year), I’d have low moments every week and they would hit hard almost every Thursday, and we had Eucharistic exposition on Thursday nights at the student center. Those were my power nights where I recharged enough to finish the week and make it until the next adoration night. Those nights I would be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually drained; and every week Our Lord would wrap me in His presence as I sat on the floor in the front row of the chapel, and that was probably the only reason why I survived my freshman year with some shred of sanity. Our Lord is amazing and He’s always there for you! Don’t lose hope!"
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"In general, I have some sort of encounter every time I pray in church with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. I cry a lot of times and let out my emotions. I could stay there for hours praying for people and situations in my life. I’ve had the most peace after these times in Adoration and after confession. Definitely recommend experiencing both of these often!"
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"When I was told it was my mom's time to pass from this world. I went before Him in Adoration and He held me in my heart. Let me weep. Gave me the courage to fly across the country to be with her so she wasn’t alone."
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"In moments of true surrender and kneeling before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is when He comforts me and I am able to hear Him speak to me clearly."
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"Visiting Jesus often in the Blessed Sacrament of His Eucharistic Face long before COVID hit, and after chapels and churches finally made it available again, helped me greatly in letting go of relationships not meant for me to keep. Jesus in the Eucharist helped me turn what started as loneliness into a love for healthy solitude. When I felt forgotten and pushed aside, I came to Him to reclaim my identity and peace through Him."
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"As my husband is deployed and I was getting ready to give birth alone due to me being away from family, I went to a holy hour hosted by my church and the Eucharist truly provided that comfort and I was reminded that I’m never alone and even in the times where I felt the loneliest he was there by my side to provide that comfort I needed."
Now it's your turn. In the comments, tell us about a time when Jesus in the Eucharist was a refuge for you?
If you're longing to fill your loneliness with the Bread from Heaven, check out our study on the Eucharist, Dwell.
Our Consolation in Loneliness #BISblog //Click to tweet
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Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She curates relevant and inspiring content for Catholic women as Blog Manager. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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