National

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a National Eucharistic Revival for America, beginning on Corpus Christi, June 19, 2022. The purpose of this national revival is “to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.“

And this revival hopes to extend to the entire world as “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.’“

First, it focuses on the grassroots–the diocese and parish.

It begins as a diocesan and parish renewal in our love of Jesus in the Eucharist. In other words, it is grassroots, local, and personal. We spend personal time opening our hearts to Jesus’ Real Presence in Adoration, deepening our union with Jesus in His Sacrifice of the Mass, and growing in reverence to Him in Communion. We draw together in small groups and in prayer to marvel at the truth of Jesus’ substantial, total presence on the altar and in the tabernacle. And in the process, the Holy Spirit converts and transforms us into witnesses for Jesus to the world.

Second, Madison sponsors its own Eucharistic Congress.

Then, the Madison Diocese will present its own Eucharistic Congress on Sept. 29-Oct 1, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Waunakee. This three-day event features beautiful Masses, speakers, Adoration, music, and more, all with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist as their object. It unites us in a visible expression of the Mystical Body, a collective, unified voice of love for Jesus’ Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, and Himself in the Eucharist.

Finally, it culminates in a National Eucharistic Congress–a sending out.

This national revival culminates in the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis on July 17-21, 2024. Diocesan representative from all over the country will gather at this Congress. In turn, the Congress sends them back into their dioceses and parishes to help continue the revival. Conversion is never a single event in our lives. It is a continuing movement in our souls toward a deeper union with Jesus Christ.

So, revival events can taper off. But their effects continue to ripple through an increasing number of lives and souls. The National Revival intends those ripples to move–like concentric circles–deeper into the world, transforming more and more souls through the Holy Spirit.

The USCCB developed a website dedicated to the National Eucharistic Revival. Please visit this site. The bishops also wrote a beautiful document, called, The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. And Bishop Cozzens guides us through the document in a disarming, coffee-table video.

This great expenditure of human time and effort amplifies the reality and love of Jesus on the Cross, His real sacrifice to the Father at Mass, His union with us in Communion, and His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. The revival adores and thanks Him for His sacrificial love and for His continued presence. Let us live in His presence now and forever.