Christ the Divine Teacher: Students connect with Jesus

“I would like young people to gather around the Eucharist as the vital source which nourishes their faith and enthusiasm … bring to your encounter with Jesus, hidden in the Eucharist, all the enthusiasm of your age, all your hopes, all your desire to love.”

– St. Pope John Paul II

By Melissa Williams Brown|
Contributing Writer

LATROBE – After Ann Amatucci’s three children left Christ the Divine Teacher School (CDT), she continued her work with the Catholic Identity Committee, spearheading the Eucharistic Adoration program to create a place for children to experience and understand faith better.

“Adoration is like heaven on Earth,” she said.      

The Holy Family Eucharistic Chapel, located within the Divine Artworks Center next to the school’s parking lot, provides a way for students to connect with Jesus. The doors open for adoration at 9 a.m. Sometimes there is organized prayer, but the chapel is often used as a space to “just be with Jesus,” Amatucci said.

“I always found the chapel to be a place to connect with Jesus,” said Amatucci. “Once you experience the connection with Jesus on a different level through the Eucharist, it’s such a gift. Why wouldn’t you go? Once others experience it, they have the ability to be with Jesus in a profound, real presence. It’s such a gift that you keep wanting more of.”

Second-graders Gianna Parrish, Maisy Orange and Rosę Vitale all look forward to adoration and spending time with Jesus.

“When I go to adoration, I feel happy  because I get to pray. It is holy there and it is loved by God. I can feel God there,” Gianna said.

“When I go to adoration, it makes me feel calm and hopeful and loved by God,” Maisy said.

“When I go to adoration, it makes me feel close to Jesus,” Rose said.

The Holy Family Eucharistic Chapel is open Sundays from noon-6 p.m.; Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wednesdays from 3-10 p.m.; and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.