As we have celebrated the wonder of the Word made flesh in the Christmas season, we know that the Eucharist is the sacramental fullness of Jesus Christ’s presence, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
In the Eucharist, we share in the saving Sacrifice of Jesus’ Passion and the glory of His resurrection.
We hear Him speak to us in the Scriptures and we receive His Body.
The Eucharist forms and feeds the Church, uniting us to the Lord and one another, sending us on the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, and sanctifying the world.
I am personally grateful for our priests’ devoted service at the altar as they generously celebrate multiple Masses to proclaim the Word and make the Eucharist available for our people.
I am also thankful for the many lay faithful who regularly worship the Lord in the Eucharist, witnessing by their example the primacy of Christ in their lives.
An urgent concern we all share is the disturbing number of Baptized Catholics who do not come to Mass or share in the life of the Church in any consistent and profound manner.
Both our evangelizing efforts in the Go Make Disciples initiative and our Into the Deep strategic plan are consistent and integral methods to form our people in the faith, particularly the treasured gift of the Eucharist and to increase Mass attendance across the diocese.
As I have said many times, imagine if every Baptized Catholic went to Mass every Sunday and holy day, prayed every day, Confessed once a month, and did some form of penance on Fridays!
These four holy habits are a significant part of the Go Make Disciples effort.
The United States Catholic Bishops have initiated a three-year Eucharistic Revival to increase faith, knowledge, devotion, and participation in the Eucharist among the lay faithful of our country.
Because of our other significant initiatives simultaneously occurring, I have not asked our priests to do many new parish activities relative to the revival, but much of what the bishops are proposing is easily convergent with our diocesan evangelizing and strategizing.
Events and practices
Let me lay out some Eucharistic events and practices which many of our priests, parishes, and people are already doing, or can implement without too much effort.
Imagine if we all embraced this Eucharistic renewal!
Preach and catechize on the Eucharist. We often assume our people know more than many of them do regarding Catholic doctrine and practice. Both by example and witness, we can all lead others to a deeper understanding of the theology and spirituality of the Eucharist.
Now is an opportune moment for us to grow in a deeper and richer Eucharistic practice.
Understanding and explaining to others the parts of the Mass; the Real Presence; the meaning of the Mass in terms of sacrifice, memorial, thanksgiving, and banquet; reading the Scriptural references to the Eucharist; and linking the Eucharist to Catholic social teaching all contribute to a more robust understanding and practice of a profoundly Eucharistic spirituality.
Msgr. James Bartylla, vicar general of the diocese, has created an excellent video series on the theology and spirituality of the Eucharist, which can serve as a substantive catechesis for others.
These resources are available on our diocesan Eucharistic webpage blessedbrokenandgiven.com
Inculcate deep Eucharistic devotion. Many of our priests and parishes already have Eucharistic Adoration and Processions and we know the impact of such holy practices.
The Revival is an opportune moment to spend consistent time in Eucharistic Adoration and to participate in a Eucharistic Procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
The Real Presence of Christ becomes more palpable and understood by all of us when our belief finds greater support through Eucharistic devotional practices.
Promote our diocesan Eucharistic Congress, which will be at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee on the weekend of September 29 to October 1, 2023.
This event will host nationally acclaimed speakers, and feature Masses, Adoration, catechesis, group reflection, inspiring music, and Processions all focused on the gift of our Eucharistic Lord.
For more information on the Congress, go to blessedbrokenandgiven.com
Many thanks to our Worship Office under the leadership of Director Fr. Greg Ihm and the excellent work of Deacon Todd Burud who are organizing the Congress.
Come to Eucharistic Holy Hours. I am heartened by how many people usually respond well to special offerings focused on the Eucharist in our parishes.
An extended time of Adoration perhaps with Scripture readings, music, and a homily is an opportune way to promote devotion to our Lord.
The diocese has a beautiful panel display of all the Eucharistic miracles throughout the history of the Church which is available for our parishes to feature, as indeed many already have.
Beginning in February, I will be available to lead Eucharistic Holy Hours in parishes on Thursday nights.
In all of these efforts, we ask the Holy Spirit to pour forth a fresh effusion of grace upon the minds and hearts of our people so that we all grow in our love for the Lord in His precious gift of the Eucharist, and that many people return to the sacraments, in which we encounter the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ.