During the June annual meeting, U.S. bishops talked about having a Eucharistic revival and discussed providing Catholics with appreciation and in-depth knowledge about the religion. The bishops plan to open the topic and vote on it during a November conference in Baltimore city, Catholic News reports.
The U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops produced a recorded video explaining two U.S. bishops leading the committees working on initiatives. They spoke about what they are looking forward to the upcoming Eucharist revival and document.
St. Paul and Minneapolis' Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens and Fourth Wayne-South Bend, Indiana bishop Kevin C. Rhoades have spoken with USCCB's associate director Marilyn Santos in the filmed video.
On Oct.12, Santos told Catholic News Service that bishops providing an 'official voice' concerning these initiatives amid the "significant moment for the church" in the U.S. is an important matter.
She stated that the eucharistic revival's purpose is to be an act of evangelization and reawakening to some. Meanwhile, the document on Eucharist must serve as a 'teaching tool' and be included in the scheduled revival.
Aim of the Eucharistic Revival
In the 2019 fall, a Pew study shows that only 30% of Catholics who have a "proper understanding of Christ's presence in the Eucharist" urge bishops to work on eucharistic revival, said Bishop Cozzens the roundtable discussion.
The bishops have seen the study as an opportunity for Catholics to increase awareness and understanding of the Eucharist. The eucharistic revival will launch on Corpus Christi's feast in June 2022.
Bishop Cozzens added that the three-year process comprises diocesan level events like eucharistic processions throughout the country, ahead with adoration and prayer.
Eucharistic revival ends with a National Eucharistic Congress in 2024's summer season with the possibility of having the same future gatherings.
This initiative will highlight Eucharist as a great gift to the church, as stated by the Minnesota bishop.
The revival focuses on parish priests and the engagement of Catholic organizations and movements in spreading and explaining what the Eucharist means.
What does the document do with the eucharistic revival?
Bishop Rhoades expressed his excitement for the revival and "The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church" document. His committee will present this document to the bishops this fall meeting, and Rhoades feels it will make a good contribution.
The bishop stated that the document will emphasize Eucharist as the Catholic's "greatest treasure." Various aspects of the Eucharist are included, such as how it shows Christ's sacrifice and the presence of Jesus in particular.
The document's second half will also highlight what Catholics must do with the deeper understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist from greater active engagement at Mass, devotions like adoration, and renewal of commitment in serving others.
The document on the Eucharist will become the "launching pad" for eucharistic revival when Bishop Cozzens was asked how these two fit together.
The bishop urged Catholics to pray for revival, acknowledging that Holy Spirit is responsible for world change. Bishop Rhoades was encouraging individuals to pray, engage, and spread the word about the Eucharist.
Rhoades said, "Be evangelizers of the Eucharist."
