The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” The revival website provides a succinct, yet powerful explanation of the National Eucharistic Revival, and I am here to tell you how the revival is taking shape here at Resurrection Parish!

We launched the revival by providing copies of Bishop Barron’s book, This Is My Body, and by offering the seven-week study produced by the Augustine Institute entitled “Jesus and the Eucharist”. This study has generated deep, thought-provoking discussions about the relationship between our faith and everyday life, and participants have found the content and structure of the videos accessible, engaging, and informative.

The revival has four dimensions or invitations: Reinvigorating Worship, Personal Encounters, Robust Faith Formation, Send Missionaries, and the study is part of the dimension of Robust Faith Formation. Parishes can individually decide how to concretize each of the invitations, but the national organization has developed considerable resources and aids for parish use. Our dedicated parish core team is currently discerning how the revival can move forward at the conclusion of the study.

One such movement is implementing Eucharistic Encounters which fall under the dimension of Personal Encounters. These are opportunities to experience and participate in Eucharistic devotion in a variety of contexts; including simple exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, chanted Liturgy of the Hours, adoration with testimonials or reflections, and Eucharist-centered music led by our musicians and cantors. (Our next Eucharistic Encounter will include solemn exposition and benediction, as well as chanted solemn vespers on the solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday, November 26th. Details forthcoming!)

Our attention will soon turn toward the remaining invitations although we will certainly revisit and reconsider each invitation as the revival develops here in our parish. Some next steps include, but are not limited to…

• Making the “Jesus and the Eucharist” study available for parish ministries, small groups, and anyone who would like to watch the videos for personal enrichment.
• Examining our liturgies and considering ways to deepen our reverence and beauty.
• Sending interested parishioners to Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress and participating in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton pilgrimage that will depart New Haven, Connecticut, pass through the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and meet three other pilgrimage routes in Indianapolis.

Please watch the bulletin for updates and check the revival website www.eucharisticrevival.org to learn more! Above all, please pray for Eucharistic revival in our country, our diocese, and our parish!

In Christ,
Seminarian Matt