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It happened sometime during the night between March 25 and the morning of March 26. Thieves broke into St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hydes, Maryland and stole the tabernacle. The tabernacle contained the Blessed Sacrament. Other items from the church were stolen as well, but Father Pete Literal said it is the theft of the Blessed Sacrament that is upsetting.
He told Catholic News Agency, “I am saddened that they took the tabernacle with the Holy Eucharist in it, which is appalling.”
The church does not have security cameras, so it is unclear how the thieves got into the church or how they left. The missing tabernacle, along with items such as the base of the processional cross, four candelabras, and six candle holders, was discovered when church leaders began prepping for Saturday morning Mass.
The parish broadcasted Stations of the Cross on March 25 through Facebook Live. The tabernacle can be seen in the video here. Sometime after the Stations of the Cross and the next morning is when the thieves broke in and stole the sacred objects and consecrated hosts.
The priest said he wants to urge the thieves to return the tabernacle and the Eucharist to the church. The church has placed another tabernacle in the place of the stolen one, but concern still lingers regarding the missing Blessed Sacrament.
The thieves appeared to have damaged one of the church doors and, according to CNA, could have caused an estimated $20,000 or more in damages. The greatest concern with the priest and parishioners is not the damage caused by the thieves, but the theft of such a sacred sacrament.
Theft of the Blessed Sacrament, tabernacles, and other religious items from Catholic parishes is not uncommon, particularly around holy seasons such as Easter and Christmas. A parish in Denver, Colorado was robbed of the tabernacle and several consecrated hosts at the end of August 2021. St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church, located in Boone, North Carolina, suffered the theft of the tabernacle and Blessed Sacrament inside in June 2020. It has frequently been asserted that satanists steal the Blessed Sacrament during holy seasons to use them during a Black Mass and other satanic ceremonies. Whether the thefts are attempts at monetary gain or for satanic reasons, it is an affront to the Lord Jesus, and we should all pray for the Eucharist to be returned to the church and to its proper place of honor.
History has also shown when the Eucharist has been stolen or improperly used, miracles have often taken place and resulted in the conviction of the thieves, as well as the returning of the Eucharist to its rightful place in the church. Let us all pray that the Lord does whatever is necessary to convict the thieves of their crime, their sins, and that they would repent. Let us pray for the return of the Sacred Sacrament.
Anyone with information regarding the theft of the tabernacle and Eucharist, as well as the other mentioned items, are urged to submit their tips to: iwatch@baltimorecountymd.gov. Tips can also be sent to the Baltimore County police using this form, or an anonymous tip can be sent using the Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland Website.
The church is located at 13305 Long Green Pike in Hydes, Maryland.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
