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Why this revival, and why now?
A message from Father Matt Kujawinski
Director, Diocesan Office for Divine Worship
Welcome to the micro-site we’ve created to help you make the most of the Eucharistic Revival launched by the bishops of the United States. This three-year initiative is not one-size-fits-all. But it is an invitation to every institution, every family, parish and school to inflame again that relationship with the Lord and the Eucharist.
Why this revival, and why now?
Father Matt Kujawinski, director of the Office for Divine Worship for the
Diocese of Erie, assists Bishop Lawrence Persico during the
2022 Chrism Mass at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie. As you may have heard, a 2019 Pew questionnaire confirmed what many had already known: that a majority of Catholics either do not fully understand or do not fully embrace the Catholic Church’s teaching that the Eucharist is not just a symbol of Christ’s presence. The church teaches that through the prayers and actions of the priest at Mass, the bread and wine offered is transformed into the true body and blood of Christ. That’s what we’re talking about when we refer to the real presence.
So the bishops realized we have work to do.
They have given us a beautiful document, The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. It could easily take three years to pray through it, and I invite you to consider doing so. But we also plan to offer parts of it to you throughout the Revival, a little at a time, to make it manageable.
For those who are struggling with this tenet of our faith, I invite you to pray using the same words of the distraught father in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 9). Begging Jesus to rid his son of a demon he cried, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” That alone was enough for the Lord to take action.
The Eucharist gives us the strength to be who we’re meant to be, to live the way we’re supposed to live and to love the way we’re supposed to love.
It’s not always easy.
Remember that even the great St. Teresa of Calcutta struggled with what she referred to as a spiritual dryness — for decades. Yet she remained faithful to prayer and to Mass, always finding the strength to carry on with the work she was called to do.
I’d like to offer a few thoughts on ways you might enter in to the opportunity presented by the revival.
1. We all struggle to stay in the moment, to pay attention, even at Mass. A key step is to prepare. You can find the readings for Mass by month at https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar. Take the time to read them before Mass. Families might consider making it a tradition on Friday evenings. If you need to start smaller, try praying in the car on the way to Mass. We prepare for concerts, for sporting events, for going out to dinner. A little preparation goes a long way.
2. Are you really praying at Mass? Each time the priest says, “Let us pray,” don’t just bow your head. Listen to the words and join into the prayer. Give your needs to God where appropriate.
3. Watch for God, listen for God. If you tell God what’s going on in your life, he will answer you. Perhaps something will really speak to you from Scripture or in a hymn. Maybe the homily will give you the encouragement you need. Or it might come in the form of a comment from a friend on the way out the door. Commit to listening as you seek guidance.
We are at the beginning of a wonderful journey together. I look forward to all that is in store.
Why this revival, and why now?
A message from Father Matt Kujawinski
Director, Diocesan Office for Divine Worship
Welcome to the micro-site we’ve created to help you make the most of the Eucharistic Revival launched by the bishops of the United States. This three-year initiative is not one-size-fits-all. But it is an invitation to every institution, every family, parish and school to inflame again that relationship with the Lord and the Eucharist.
Why this revival, and why now?
Father Matt Kujawinski, director of the Office for Divine Worship for the
Diocese of Erie, assists Bishop Lawrence Persico during the
2022 Chrism Mass at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie. As you may have heard, a 2019 Pew questionnaire confirmed what many had already known: that a majority of Catholics either do not fully understand or do not fully embrace the Catholic Church’s teaching that the Eucharist is not just a symbol of Christ’s presence. The church teaches that through the prayers and actions of the priest at Mass, the bread and wine offered is transformed into the true body and blood of Christ. That’s what we’re talking about when we refer to the real presence.
So the bishops realized we have work to do.
They have given us a beautiful document, The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. It could easily take three years to pray through it, and I invite you to consider doing so. But we also plan to offer parts of it to you throughout the Revival, a little at a time, to make it manageable.
For those who are struggling with this tenet of our faith, I invite you to pray using the same words of the distraught father in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 9). Begging Jesus to rid his son of a demon he cried, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” That alone was enough for the Lord to take action.
The Eucharist gives us the strength to be who we’re meant to be, to live the way we’re supposed to live and to love the way we’re supposed to love.
It’s not always easy.
Remember that even the great St. Teresa of Calcutta struggled with what she referred to as a spiritual dryness — for decades. Yet she remained faithful to prayer and to Mass, always finding the strength to carry on with the work she was called to do.
I’d like to offer a few thoughts on ways you might enter in to the opportunity presented by the revival.
1. We all struggle to stay in the moment, to pay attention, even at Mass. A key step is to prepare. You can find the readings for Mass by month at https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar. Take the time to read them before Mass. Families might consider making it a tradition on Friday evenings. If you need to start smaller, try praying in the car on the way to Mass. We prepare for concerts, for sporting events, for going out to dinner. A little preparation goes a long way.
2. Are you really praying at Mass? Each time the priest says, “Let us pray,” don’t just bow your head. Listen to the words and join into the prayer. Give your needs to God where appropriate. 3. Watch for God, listen for God. If you tell God what’s going on in your life, he will answer you. Perhaps something will really speak to you from Scripture or in a hymn. Maybe the homily will give you the encouragement you need. Or it might come in the form of a comment from a friend on the way out the door. Commit to listening as you seek guidance.
We are at the beginning of a wonderful journey together. I look forward to all that is in store.