Rediscover the grace of the Eucharist

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The bishops of the United States have called for “a three-year, grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.” This revival began last Sunday on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) and it will conclude in July of 2024 when the first National Eucharistic Congress in nearly 50 years will be held in Indianapolis.
The Mission of this Eucharistic Revival is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” and the Vision we have is of a “movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission for the life of the world.”

There are five Strategic Pillars supporting this movement over a three-year period. These are:
• Foster encounters with Jesus through kerygmatic proclamation and experiences of Eucharistic devotion.
• Contemplate and proclaim the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist through the Truth of our teaching, Beauty of our worship, and Goodness of our accompaniment of persons in poverty and those who are vulnerable.
• Empower grassroots creativity by partnering with movements, apostolates, parishes, and educational institutions.
• Reach the smallest unit: parish small groups and families.
• Embrace and learn from the various rich intercultural Eucharistic traditions.

Last year, when I wrote Returning to Grace: A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist addressed to all clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Newark, I urged that we all rediscover the great blessings of the Holy Eucharist.

My reflections in Returning to Grace included some personal stories, some thoughts shared with us by Pope Francis during this time of pandemic, some ideas about the third commandment—to keep the Lord’s Day holy, and, most importantly, some reflections on the wonderful mystery of Christ’s gracious gift of His Body and Blood freely given to us in the Holy Eucharist.

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