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." This multi-year movement needs your support. Here are six reasons why.

6 Reasons Why YOU Need To Support The National Eucharistic Revival

1. It must be a work of the Holy Spirit, because the evidence is there! When the National Eucharistic Revival was voted on by the U.S. Bishops, it received overwhelming support, even though they were informed it would necessitate massive backing from them. When is the last time the US Bishops have been united about such a huge effort? If there is one thing we know, it is getting our Bishops to agree on most things is a huge lift, much less a revival of faith in the USA that would require the kind of time, effort, and resources the National Eucharistic Reival has - when most of us in ministry (especially the Bishops) already feel spread thin.
   
   I am not one to usually support large-scale ideas that come out of national efforts. This is because I have rarely seen much fruit born from the effort and cost in the past. But, I am fully supporting the National Eucharistic Revival. Why? Because I am convinced this is something different. This must be a movement of the Holy Spirit who is guiding the Revival. Who else could have moved the hearts and minds of our shepherds to be unified in such a way? Who else could have made such a massive effort bear such fruits as quickly as it has?

2. It hasn’t “been tried before already”. If there is a crisis of anything in the Church, it is one of cynicism. The spirit of “we have tried it before and it failed, so why try again?” mentality. But, this one has never been tried before. The National Eucharistic Revival isn’t like the other events, programs, or efforts that have been put on by the Church in the past. This isn’t just a bunch of ideas thrown together. It is so much more and it hasn’t been done before. If you don’t believe that this is true, then continue to read and learn more about what the Revival really is all about!

3. It is a movement of the entire Church in the USA, not just an event. One mistake folks have made is thinking that the Revival is merely the Eucharistic Congress that is happening in July 2024. While the Congress is part of the Revival (and a very important part), it is not the entirety of it. The Revival is so much more, including:

• The Year of Diocesan Renewal (June 22 - June 23)
• The Year of Parish Renewal (June 23 - July 24)
• The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (May 24 - July 24)
• The National Eucharistic Congress (July 24)
• The Year of Going Out On Mission (July 24 - Pentecost 25)
• Each of these has other components to it, including prayer, devotions, catechesis, community, and more. I encourage you to explore the website of the Revival for more.

4. The impact of the Revival depends on the laity in the pews (YOU), not just the Bishops, priests, or lay leaders. The Revival is not just a top-down program. Rather, it is a movement from the grassroots. When Bishop Cozzens told me about the Revival for the first time, he asked me to think creatively about how our apostolate could be involved. He doesn’t want us to just implement a program, but follow the promptings of God and be creative. Flash-forward to today. Catholic Missionary Disciples (one small apostolate) is doing the following:

• I am a member of the Executive Team which is guiding the vision and helping with the implementation of the National Eucharistic Revival.
• I am also serving as the Executive Leader for a team of 10 ministry coaches who are coaching diocesan point persons for the Revival from almost 40 dioceses across the country.
• A part of a small group leading the visioning process of helping make Eucharistic Missionaries of Catholic disciples around the country.
• Part of a task force which is discerning the needs of priests and how the Church might help them experience spiritual renewal.
• As well as an unannounced effort we will be making public in the next few months.

We are just one small part of the Revival effort! I know of dioceses, parishes, and apostolates doing much much more than we are! Yet, this isn’t just about the organizations, but individuals.

How can your own heart be revived? How can you love the Eucharist more? How can you grow in your own faith? How can you share Jesus with others?

Your answers are what the National Eucharistic Revival is all about.

5. We need a more unified Church and the Revival can help unite us! The Church in the Unites States is very divided. Simply put, wherever there is division, it is a work of the enemy, not God. God desires unity. Unity in truth. Unity based upon the Gospel. Unity around our shepherds. Unity in love. Unity in practice. Unity in prayer. Here is just a sampling of what the Scriptures say about unity in the Church:

• “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35
• “I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.” -John 17:23
• “I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” -1 Cor 1:10

If there is one thing that transcends our differences it is Jesus in the Eucharist. Of course some may not get on board. Of course some might still opt themselves out. But, left/right, trad/progressive, conservative/liberal, etc. can all agree - we need revival and the source of unity is found in the Eucharist. So, let’s start by uniting around the Eucharist and in the Eucharist! 

6. We can’t rely on our own strength and renew the Church on our own. What better way to revive what needs to be strengthened, than to lean into the one who gives us grace in the first place? What better way to be a better missionary disciple than to draw closer to the one who calls us to be disciples and go on mission? What better way to love others than to go to the one who is love itself to be filled with His love first?

We need a return to the core of what it means to be a Catholic and a disciple of Jesus. There is no better foundation than in Jesus himself, in the Eucharist.

We are incapable of renewing the Church. God is capable of renewing the Church through us. But, it takes us being renewed ourselves and then sharing renewal with others.

Will you join me in supporting the National Eucharistic Revival? If so, start with one of these below:

• Start praying with the Revival Spark Series - 9 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
• Become a Parish Point Person (or assist one if your parish has one already) - Parish Point Person resources can be found here.
• Host a small group - Jesus and The Eucharist small group series.
• Continue your own personal growth by learning, growing, and sharing your faith - start here to find free resources.
• Support or join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from the four corners of the USA.
• Join 80,000 other Catholics at the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024. This is going to be a game-changer.
• Find a local event in your area. A list of local events can be found here.
• Pray about a unique way you might help love Jesus in the Eucharist more and then share that love with others. There are many more ideas and resources to get you started at the National Eucharistic Revival website.