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1. What is the [National] Eucharistic Revival and what does it mean to us as Catholics?
To begin, according to the August 5, 2019 published report from the Pew Research Center, just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus and agree with their church that the Eucharist is the true body and blood of Christ.” Nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Pew Report One-third of Catholics Believe. The Catholic Church teaches that “the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 2nd ed., 1324)
In response to revive belief and enhance formation of Catholic faith in Christ, the National Eucharistic Revival developed a grassroots movement to restore and reinvigorate understanding and devotion to the great mystery of the Eucharist here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith. www.eucharisticrevival.org
Why a grassroots movement? Because our world is hurting. People are hurting. We all need healing, yet many of us are separated from the very source of our strength. Jesus Christ is calling us into deeper relationship with him, and he promises to restore and renew his people. He invites us to return to the source and summit of our Catholic faith in the celebration of the Eucharist, the mystical body and blood of Christ.
The Catholic Church teaches that “the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’ By eating the Body and drinking the Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56). In being united to the humanity of Christ, we are at the same time united to his divinity. https://www.usccb.org/eucharist
This means everything to us as Catholics.2. What are some things we can do to be more involved in the Eucharistic Revival as an individual and as a parishioner of St. Eugene?
Fall 2023:
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Join us in upcoming St. Eugene Parish Eucharistic Revival events!
Join fellow parishioners for a short video and discussion, Presence™: The Mystery of the Eucharist, a four-part series that begins with a 30-minute video. We will have a group discussion following. Refreshments will be provided.
When: 3rd Monday for four months, following 5:30PM Mass
Where: Meeting Room 1
Time: 6-7:30PM
Dates: Sep. 18; Oct. 16; Nov. 20; Dec. 18
All are welcome! Registration not required.
Description: Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Presence™: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to the profound role in the life of the Church and its members. It is the summit of the entire story of salvation. https://formed.org-
St. Eugene - 40-hours of Eucharistic Adoration: Nov. 6-8. (Look for more information and Holy Hour sign-ups in upcoming bulletins.)
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“Beautiful Eucharist” book giveaway for St. Eugene parishioners, Spanish & English translations. The book is a stunning collection of life-changing reflections about Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist and wonderfully present in our lives. www.DynamicCatholic.com. Arriving soon!
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Eucharistic Miracles Walk at St. Eugene – initial planning in process.
3. Who is the [National] Eucharistic Congress for and what happens at the Congress in Indianapolis?
The Eucharistic Congress is a way to remind Catholics of the central belief in Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist and to give honor and glory to God for such a marvelous gift. The Congress is for all Catholics in the United States and for those Catholics who wish to participate.
Eucharistic Congress Indianapolis
What happens at the Eucharistic Congress?
Mass: Encounter Jesus in the celebration of the Eucharist
Formation: Discover the depth of our faith through powerful preaching
Healing: Receive the healing Jesus longs to give you
Conversion: Embark in a new chapter in your faith journey
Fellowship: Gather with your Catholic family from every corner of the nation
Anointing: Be set on fire with the Holy Spirit like never before
Mission: Be equipped and empowered to bring Christ’s love to the world4. For those who are unable to make the pilgrimage to Indianapolis, what are some local pilgrimages we can participate in, either individually or as a group, which will bring followers closer to the true presence of Christ?
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The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
3214 N. Lake, OKC
SUMMIT: 3rd Thursday of each month, 7-8:30PM. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Encounter the mystical Body of Christ in the Eucharist. Confessions, Music, reception following. (Sep. 21; Oct. 19; Nov. 16; Dec. 21)
(SUMMIT was implemented during the National Eucharistic Revival Year of the Archdiocese 2022-2023.)
SUMMIT Archdiocese of OKC-
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine
700 SE 89th, OKC
Visit the Shrine, go to confession, participate in Mass, walk the grounds to Tepeyac Hill, a replication of the site at Tenochtitlán, Mexico, where the apparition of the Our Blessed Lady of Guadalupe revealed herself to St. Juan Diego. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Eucharist, Patroness of the Eucharistic Revival.
www.RotherShrine.org-
Spend a Holy Hour in Eucharistic Adoration in our parish chapel at St. Eugene, Wednesdays following 6:30AM Mass until 7PM.
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Spend a Holy Hour in Eucharistic Adoration in our parish chapel at St. Eugene, First Friday each month from 7PM until 5AM Saturday morning, Spanish.
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Attend weekly Mass at St. Eugene and participate in the Liturgy.
“Participate: the voluntary and generous engagement of a person in social interchange,” CCC, 1913. -
Attend a daily Mass in addition to your weekly Mass.
5. What advice do you have for people who might be hesitant to participate in the Revival or who struggle with believing in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist?
Individuals may be hesitant due to feeling unsure of how to help, or not feeling like they “know enough” or not qualified to participate. They may have doubts about the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Or they may not feel they are worthy of participating. Maybe they are new to the parish and do not know many people.
It is okay for someone to be hesitant; it is a normal process. We are all sinners who need to repent to cleanse our hearts and souls, and through the mercy and grace of the Risen Christ, we are forgiven. A friendly smile, a welcoming handshake and greeting, a personal invitation to join a meeting, study, or prayer group, or even an invitation to help brainstorm ideas may help warm the soil and plant a seed for individuals to join in. This is the ministry of Christian hospitality.
If an individual is struggling to believe, encourage to spend time in Eucharistic Adoration. Maybe start by spending 10-minutes, then extend your time before the Blessed Sacrament by five-minutes. Pray, share with Jesus your thoughts, feelings, accept the grace he offers, accept his mercy and forgiveness. Time in prayer and/or silence is a beautiful way to encounter Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, strengthen our faith, and grow deeper in love with him.
Seek counsel with a trusted Catholic family member or friend, deacon, or priest. Check out resources at OKC Catholic Charities: https://catholiccharitiesok.org/
Questions? Want to participate? Contact: [email protected]----------
Catholic teaching about the Eucharist is based on Holy Scripture.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist, CCC 2nd ed., 1322-1419
Includes the “Bread of the Presence” in the Old Testament. Exodus 25: 30
New Testament scripture of the Christ’s presence can be found in Gospel readings and in additional New Testament books. A few are listed:
Mark 14: 22-24
Luke 22: 19-20
John 6: 35; 6: 51-58
Acts 2: 46-47
1 Corinthians 10: 16-17 -