How has Christ’s presence in the Eucharist touched your life? Share your response in the comments section at the end of this article.
A National Eucharistic Revival intended to nurture devotion to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist begins on June 19, 2022, the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.
Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, anticipates the revival will reawaken the understanding of the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Dioceses throughout the nation are planning to open the revival with processions and other events of adoration. The revival will continue until a National Eucharistic Congress convenes July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. This will be the first time in 45 years that a Eucharistic Congress has been held in the United States.
Parishes will be encouraged to help increase Catholics’ understanding of the Eucharist in their lives. In addition, a team of 50 priests and friars will travel the country preaching about the meaning of the Eucharist in the lives of Catholics. Included among them will be Fr. Edgardo Jaro, OFM, from the Holy Name Province.
The bishops cited one of the catalysts of the revival as a recent Pew Research Study on the Eucharist. Carol L. Gentile, OFS, former national minister explains the results of the study and our responsibility as Franciscans in the following letter.
During a recent fraternity meeting, one of our members mentioned that 70% of Catholics do not believe that the Eucharist is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shocked at the startling statistic, I decided to conduct my own research. To be clear, I had no reason to question the colleague who volunteered the information. Rather, I was simply in a state of disbelief, saddened by the fact that it actually may be true. Much to my dismay, the preliminary research confirmed that the information conveyed during the meeting was accurate.
Gregory A. Smith, in an article published on August 5, 2019 referenced information collected in a Pew Research Center survey, citing the fact that only one-third Of U.S. Catholics agree that the Eucharist is actually the body and blood of Christ. Smith writes: “Nearly seven in ten (69%) Catholics say they personally believe that during the Catholic mass, the bread and wine used in communion are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.”
As Franciscans, I believe we are compelled to put forth an effort to educate as many Catholics as possible, particularly those in your own respective parishes. In doing so I thought that one tactic would be to make available to everyone information about the Miracle of Lanciano, Italy which clearly validates the legitimacy of our core belief. I have attached a copy of the article.
In my heart, I believe Saint Francis would expect no less from us. Tragically, the trend in the United States appears to be digressing towards a more secular society. Let us all do our best so that at the very least we could educate those of our faith about the realities of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
With peace and love, Carol L Gentile OFS
Former National Minister, 2003
1. Thank you for the opportunity and privilege of sharing about the Most Holy Eucharist in my life.
Christ in the Holy Eucharist is the foundation and life force of who I am; the wisdom and strength to become the person Christ wants me to become and the ability to do what God wants me to do. I simply need to listen, trust and act.
2. I recently heard a fellow Secular Franciscan say he heard that the National Minister wanted information about the upcoming Eucharistic Congress posted on the website and asked if national was planning anything. My response was I didn’t think so, but
– The Holy Eucharist was one of several major themes about Christ for St. Francis
– our national website has been and should continue to be a source of formation as well as information
– St. Francis strove to follow the leadership of Holy Mother Church and encouraged his followers to do the same – as our governing documents instruct us as well
– “Franciscans DO NOT try to re-invent the wheel” – we generously offer our services to activities sponsored by our Church – & other organizations who support “Life” issues – “building God’s Kingdom on Earth”
Thank you again for this opportunity to share. Peace, Terri Leone. OFS