The face of Christ in the Eucharist

Benjamin Jacob Evans grew up loving his Catholic faith. Raised by parents who were deeply committed to the Church, he was taught the faith from a young age and had a desire to grow closer to God. A journal with an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, given to him by his grandmother, became a treasured gift that reflected that desire.

"I really wanted to grow in my relationship with God," Benjamin shared during his testimony at the 2026 Renewal Conference.

However, as Benjamin entered his teenage years, his understanding of the Eucharist began to change. At 13 years old, while helping his grandmother with catechesis classes, a young girl asked him whether the Eucharist was truly Jesus’ Body and Blood. Benjamin responded "no," that it was only a symbol. He was surprised by his own response, but realized that although he had been raised in the Catholic faith, he did not truly believe that Jesus was present in the Eucharist. He did not believe that the Eucharist was truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.

During that same period, Benjamin found himself struggling deeply. He described falling into a darkness that was difficult to overcome and knew he needed help.

Not long afterward, his family attended the Family Life Conference, where families gathered to grow in their faith. One evening, while Benjamin was outside playing Frisbee, his parents invited him to join them for adoration and benediction. At first, he stayed behind, but soon felt drawn toward the shrine in a way he could not explain.

"I felt this push-pull sensation that I was being drawn to the shrine," he shared.

When he arrived, Benjamin sat beside his parents as the Gospel of the woman suffering from hemorrhages was proclaimed. Hearing her story, he recognized his own spiritual struggle in hers. He felt that he too had been "bleeding out" not physically, but spiritually.

In that moment, he asked the Lord to reveal Himself if the Eucharist was truly Christ.

"Lord, if this is truly you, show yourself because I don't think it's you," he remembered himself praying. 

As the priest lifted the Eucharistic host, Benjamin experienced a profound encounter with Jesus.

"I saw the face of Christ in the Eucharist."

He described seeing the face of Christ and hearing the words: "I love you, Benjamin, and I have healed you."

Filled with emotion, Benjamin approached for the blessing, praying once again for healing. After returning to his pew, he described feeling "this rush of wind coming through my body," which he believed was the Holy Spirit speaking to his heart: "You are healed. Go and sin no more. You are free."

That encounter gave Benjamin the courage to open up about the struggles he had been carrying. He went to his father and shared what he was experiencing, leading to a meaningful conversation and a new sense of freedom.

"I had an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and he has changed my life ever since then."

Today, Benjamin is a novice with the Seeds of the Word Community, and he believes that encounter continues to guide his vocation, drawing his heart toward the priesthood and consecrated life.

Through his testimony, Benjamin encouraged others to love Christ in the Eucharist and to respond to His invitation with an open heart.

"May the Lord bless you and may he inspire you to love him in the Eucharist and to say yes to him."

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Story drawn from a video testimony shared at the 2026 Diocesan Renewal Conference at St. Michael’s, Calgary.