Eucharistic Revival

The Second Vatican Council teaches us that “The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life and worship.” Jesus Himself taught us that He was the Alpha (the source) and the Omega (the summit). In the Eucharist we see the entirety of our call to become like Christ. We pray in the preface of the Most Holy Eucharist, “As we eat his flesh that was sacrificed for us, we are made strong, and as we drink his blood that was poured out for us, we are washed clean.”

The Bishops of the United States have invited us to participate in a three-year National Eucharistic Revival whereby we as individuals, as a parish and indeed as a nation are renewed in our devotion and respect for the Eucharistic Presence of Our Lord. This Revival officially began on Corpus Christi Sunday.

In reflecting on the Eucharist, Pope Francis reminds us that, “The Eucharist is essential, because it is Christ’s chance to come to us and to fill us with grace.” The United States Bishops, by means of these three years of Revival, have called us to be “Created anew by the Body and Blood of Christ, the source of our hope,” so that all Catholics may regain a sense of the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives.”

On the feast of Corpus Christi in 2021, Pope Francis reflected on the gift of the sacrament of the Eucharist and invited believers to make their own lives gifts, just as Jesus did. Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace Pope Francis reflected on the narratives of the Last Supper in the Gospel of Mark. The Pope said that “the Eucharist is the bread of sinners, not a reward of saints. It is food for the journey, food that leads us to eternal life. The Eucharist joins us with Jesus. It brings us peace.” In another place Pope Francis said of the Eucharist, “It is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with his grace.”

When reflecting on Eucharistic Adoration, the Pope is clear about the graces received from time spent with the Lord. “Eucharistic Adoration is a source of hope.” “Eucharistic Adoration nourishes.” “Eucharistic Adoration is a powerful weapon against evil.” “With silent adoration we get to know the Lord.”

With these words of Pope Francis, and in conjunction with the invitation of the Bishops of The United States, it seems fitting that we as individuals and as a parish embrace this sacred time of Eucharistic Revival. To this end I offer two concrete suggestions. The first is to remind ourselves that each time we receive Holy Communion we are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord. Realizing this will help us to take seriously the words of the preface of the Most Holy Eucharist: “As we eat his flesh that was sacrificed for us, we are made strong, and as we drink his blood that was poured out for us, we are washed clean.”

The second suggestion is an invitation to take some time other than Sunday to celebrate the presence of the Lord in our midst. The Holy Eucharist is exposed for Adoration every: Monday and Wednesday in our Chapel from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Make a resolution now that you will stop in for a visit on any of those days, at any time, to bring your prayers, your needs, and your desires before our Eucharistic Lord. I guarantee that you will leave Jesus’ presence “Created anew by the Body and Blood of Christ, the source of our hope.”

God Bless you,
Father Kennedy