Over the last three years, our country has undergone a National Eucharistic Revival. We all need revival. The root word itself—revive—means “to live again.” Upon all the sadness and darkness we encounter in our world, don’t you feel like you need to live again? The revival's goal is to provide opportunities for all Catholics in the United States to fall deeper in love with Jesus in the Eucharist and to be inspired and equipped to share that love with others.
“The Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for authentic life, for in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst, to nourish, console and sustain us on our journey.” -Pope Francis
Jesus Christ—who called people back to life (both physically and spiritually)—desires our revival and is making it happen just as it happened to the Apostles in the upper room. Afraid and hiding, they received the Holy Spirit who clothed them in bravery and sent them out to form the church. They began preaching, healing, and empowering all believers to do the work of Christ.
The upper room is said to have been the place where Jesus not only gave us His body and blood at the Last Supper but also the location where He gave us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit plays a massive role in the National Eucharistic Revival.
This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost. Catholic Churches all over the world will be praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our hearts, parishes, communities, countries, and essentially the entire world.
Pentecost is a recurring event. It is not a ‘members-only’ club to know and utilize the workings of the Holy Spirit. You and I have access to the same gifts of the Holy Spirit that were imparted upon the Apostles and we have just as important of a role in the Catholic Church today as they did all of those years ago!
This year, lean into the Spirit and ask Him to give you the bravery of the Apostles to go out into all of the world to preach the Good News! Ask Him to breathe new life into your soul so that you may hunger for Jesus in the Eucharist.
As Catholics, we have the gift of the 7 sacraments. Those sacraments give us something special called sanctifying grace. This incredible gift, freely given to us, is the superpower we receive that helps us to grow in holiness.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The more we come to Jesus in the Eucharist, the more we receive sanctifying grace!
Guess Who administers these graces into our souls, along with His gifts? That’s right… the Holy Spirit!
Leading up to the National Eucharistic Congress this July in Indianapolis, there will be four separate Eucharistic Processions across our nation. What Divine Providence that we, here in the St. Cloud Diocese, get to partake in the Northern Route, called the Marian Route, mere days after celebrating Pentecost!
We get to publicly witness to the people of our diocese our belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It will be a breathtaking sight! Jesus, present in the Eucharist, will literally be carried on foot, held in the consecrated hands of a priest. He will be assisted by a deacon wearing full mass vestments. Young men will serve by carrying the cross high, holding candles, reminding the faithful of Jesus’ presence, and swinging censers filled with incense that visually remind us of our prayers rising to heaven. There will be First communicants dressed in their beautiful white gowns, or handsome little suits throwing rose petals in Jesus’ honor. While we, the loving faithful, offer up prayers of adoration and praise!
We were born during a time such as this to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! How is the Holy Spirit asking you to get involved with the National Eucharistic Procession? Would you be willing to pray for the success of the Procession? Will you pray that it bears much fruit as a public display of the power of Jesus in the Eucharist?
Like the Apostles after Pentecost clothed with bravery, will you ask the Holy Spirit what role you should play? Do you feel inspired to volunteer your time? Do you feel called to participate? If so, you can find a list of volunteer opportunities here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/16z1TZOgOOh8RDH6_wvpnB-fo2gl2Bz20VfmoROdibmg/edit?pli=1
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Until next time, your sisters in Christ,
Abby and Leah
Authors of Catholic Country Chronicles
