Eucharistic Revival
Eucharistic Congress Resources
Announcement
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Bishops of the United States are leading the Church in America in a Eucharistic Revival. The Diocese of Reno, along with other dioceses, will be joining in this national effort. It is our prayerful hope that this Revival will raise up a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.”
Although the initiatives may differ in each local Church ([Arch]Diocese), the purpose is the same: To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
This multi-year Eucharistic Revival will begin on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord (June 19, 2022) and continue for three years. During this time, we will foster Eucharistic encounters through preaching and Eucharistic devotion. We will proclaim the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist through our teaching, worship, and charitable deeds. We will also partner with local and parish movements, apostolates, and educational institutions. Our hope is that we will be able to reach every family in our parishes and that we will grow in our appreciation of the rich Eucharistic traditions present in our many cultures.
The specific initiatives to be promoted will help Catholics deepen their understanding of the Eucharist, increase their appreciation for the Eucharist, lead to a more profound participation in the Mass, grow Eucharistic Adoration, and encourage greater commitment to serve others as the Body of Christ, the Church.
Initiatives will be requested in the following ways:
Proper provision of sacred space to facilitate focus and reverence
The Tabernacle is to be established in a most prominent place of the sanctuary so that the faithful clearly and visibly recognize the sacred reverence given to the Blessed Sacrament in a pre-eminent way. The faithful should be provided the opportunity to kneel in adoration both during the Eucharistic Prayer and as part of their post-Communion prayer of Thanksgiving. Churches without kneelers are asked to consider providing optional cushions for this purpose (commonly referred to as Gardening Kneeling Pads https://www.4imprint.com/product/121249-34/Kneeler-Cushion-34.
Post-communion moment of silent adoration followed by communal prayer of Thanksgiving
For the first year this period of silent prayer will occur with the Blessed Sacrament (Ciborium) placed on the altar and will conclude with the spoken or sung Anima Christi as permitted in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 88. The period of silence will be introduced with the following invitation: As we conclude the Communion Rite, we take a special time to acknowledge the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, now in us. We know that some may not have received the Eucharist today and so the Blessed Sacrament remains on the altar during this time as an additional spiritual Communion. All kneel (when possible) in silence for 30 seconds after which time the Anima Christi is prayed together
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. 0 Good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from you. From the wicked foe, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you That with your saints I may praise you For ever and ever. Amen.
For the second year, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the Tabernacle as usual and the period of 30 second silent prayer will conclude with a prayer based on a reflection by St. Teresa of Avila.
“Lord Jesus, having received your most sacred Body and Blood, grant us the grace to become what we receive. Help us to remember that in the world, you have no body now but ours, no hands, no feet on earth but ours. Ours are the eyes with which you look with compassion on this world, ours are the feet with which you walk to do good, ours are the hands with which you bless the world. Ours are the hands, ours are the feet, ours are the eyes. We are your body. Make our hearts like unto thine. Amen”
The inclusion of these post-Communion prayers is being promulgated as a singular and temporary practice under the authority of the local bishop as permitted by Canon Law (391.1&2 and 838.1&4) and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 387. Any other or similar practices may not otherwise be enacted by individual parishes without the expressed consent of the local bishop.
A Clearer Call to Mission as the Body of Christ
Parishes are asked to include specific invitations to serve others in witness to Jesus whose Mystical Body we have become through the reception of the Eucharist. These opportunities would be appropriately presented at the end of Mass as the faithful are being sent on mission.
In addition to the above temporary practices and worship environment requests, the following additional initiatives will assist in fostering a supported, coordinated, and integrated approach to the Eucharist Revival experience.
Eucharistic Adoration
Each parish is asked to provide a weekly opportunity for parishioners to participate in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Parish ministry groups are encouraged to attend and pray together at Adoration.
Personal and Small Group Study/Discussion
Various resources may be used for this faith enrichment experience.
- “The Meaning of the Mass” – a series of seven modules with personal application and small group discussion questions. This series is based on the book What Happens at Mass by Jeremy Driscoll.
- Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire) has produced an excellent series entitled, “The Mass” and includes study guides.
- Fr. Mike Schmitz offers a podcast series entitled “The Bible in a Year” which is encouraged for either individual or small group faith enrichment. This popular series has proven to be very effective in deepening people’s appreciation for the presence of Christ in the written Word of God especially when implemented in small groups with the published guide from Ascension Press (www.cdn.shopify.com).
Deepened understanding of the Mass for all parishioners
Bulletin inserts will also be made available to help deepen understanding of the Mass on a weekly basis over the course of a year.
Eucharistic Homilies
Priests and Deacons are encouraged to focus their homilies on Eucharistic themes when appropriate.
As the Eucharistic Revival progresses, several opportunities for formation and devotion will be provided on a diocesan level. These include the following:
Eucharistic Preachers
A group of priests has been trained to lead morning or afternoon days of recollection in both Spanish and English. A series of such speakers is being sought to visit the Diocese of Reno every six months. Each speaker will be asked to present in three locations throughout the Diocese of Reno to ensure easier access for all the faithful who wish to attend.
Diocesan Conference 2023
The Annual Conference will be focused on Eucharistic Renewal. Each presenter has been chosen based on their ability to lead us to a deeper encounter with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to live out that encounter in witness of Christ for others.
Liturgical Formation
The Diocese of Reno will publish a compendium of liturgical guidelines to help foster the faithful and reverent celebration of the Sacraments and Rites in accord with the intention of the Church as articulated in the documents of Vatican II and subsequent Magisterial teaching.
A list of recommended Eucharistic Hymns will be provided to ensure a focused and reflective experience of Communion for all parishioners.
The National Pastoral Musicians will offer a seminar at the 2023 Diocesan Conference for all parish musicians, choir directors, and liturgists to provide formation in appropriate liturgical music selection and the role of sacred music in the context of the Mass. The seminar will be based on the 2007 document from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) entitled, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” as well as the 2020 document from the Doctrine Committee of the USCCB entitled, 11Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church: An Aid for Evaluating Hymn Lyrics.” Particular attention will be given to the theological correctness of hymns and conduciveness to the worship of God.
Eucharistic Processions
The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord customarily includes an outdoor procession with the faithful and the Blessed Sacrament. Parishes throughout the United States are asked to carry out this practice beginning in 2023.
Eucharistic Congress 2024
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Diocese of Reno will host a one-day Eucharistic Congress in celebration of the Eucharistic Revival and in preparation for the National Eucharistic Congress scheduled later that year. This event will include keynote speakers, Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Mass, and a concluding banquet.
You may consult the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival Resource website at https://bit.ly/RenoEucharisticRevival for additional information and resources that can help you grow in your Eucharistic knowledge, appreciation, reverence, participation, and mission. You can also visit the website for the National Eucharistic Revival at www.eucharisticrevival.org.
The Eucharistic Revival is an unprecedented initiative and opportunity for the entire Church in America to reawaken and strengthen our faith in the Eucharistic Sacrifice which is the source and summit of the Church’s life. We will continue to learn from successful experiences as other dioceses implement their own initiatives and incorporate them into our efforts for the renewal of the Church in northern Nevada.
I ask that you pray for God’s grace to guide us throughout these next few years as we seek to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus who is the Word made Flesh and who shares with us his Flesh as the Bread of Life. May we truly become the Body of Christ we receive and live out our mission as Christ’s Mystical Body on earth so as to be living tabernacles of Jesus’ presence in our churches, offices, homes, neighborhoods, and every other circumstance of life.
With every best wish and an assurance of prayers, I remain,
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Daniel H. Mueggenborg
Bishop of Reno