Archdiocese of Chicago Begins the National Eucharistic Revival Locally with a Mass and Procession on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago - (June 15, 2022) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will host an archdiocesan-wide Mass and Eucharistic procession on Saturday, June 18 at Holy Name Cathedral to kick-off the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) National Eucharistic Revival. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, has asked Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo to preside over the 5:30 p.m. Mass and then lead an outdoor procession around the cathedral, given his membership on the advisory committee for the Revival. The Mass will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/QP-TLDBOcEY.
"An understanding and experience of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is central to our beliefs as Catholic followers of Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus said clearly after taking bread into his hands, ‘this is My Body’ and taking the chalice of wine, ‘this is My Blood’ then ‘do this in remembrance of me’. He asked us to ‘do this’ and we fulfill Jesus' desire when we participate in the Eucharist,” said Bishop Lombardo. “At this time in history, we need to focus on this central and essential teaching of Jesus because participation at the Eucharist and Mass has declined significantly. We revere and safeguard this ‘real presence’ of Jesus in a sacred place called a tabernacle. The faithful are encouraged to pray individually or in groups with the ‘real presence’ of Jesus in their midst."
The National Eucharistic Revival officially begins on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19. The Revival is a three-year initiative sponsored by the USCCB to form, heal, convert, and unite the People of God through a renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and then to send them out to a hurting and hungry world. The Revival’s focus on formation and missionary discipleship begins at the grassroots level in individual parishes and dioceses along with other Catholic institutions:
- Year One is the Year of Diocesan Revival in which U.S. bishops respond to the Lord’s personal invitation and empower their priests and parish leaders to host events with a Eucharistic focus.
- Year Two is planned as the Year of Parish Revival. Individual pastors will engage their staff and parishioners with community-specific activities and events to better understand and enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery through the celebration of the Mass, and extended opportunities for Adoration and Reconciliation.
- Year Three will be the Year of the National Eucharistic Congress and Missionary Sending and commences with a National Eucharistic Congress set to take place July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Bishop Lombardo, founder and director of Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) and founder and superior of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago religious order, will serve on the USCCB’s advisory board for the Revival. Sister Alicia Torres, a member of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago who serves at Mission OLA, is on the executive team for the Revival.
The USSCB has appointed a diverse group of diocesan and religious priests serving in (arch)dioceses around the U.S. who vary in ministerial experience, ethnicity and culture, to travel across the country to speak and inspire the Faithful as National Eucharistic Preachers. Four Archdiocese of Chicago priests will serve as preachers: Rev. Timothy Anastos, associate chaplain of the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago; Rev. Connor Danstrom, director and chaplain of the St. John Paul II Newman Center at UIC; Rev. Manuel Dorantes, pastor of Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and strategic advisor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication; and Rev. Brian Welter, executive director of the Institute for Priestly Formation.
“The National Eucharistic Revival is certainly inspired by the Holy Spirit. It responds directly to the fact that more than 70 percent of Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Through the Revival, the Lord is inviting us to be part of a movement that is so hope-filled,” said Sr. Torres. “I can't imagine the fruit we will see in the days, years and even decades ahead if we are faithful to this invitation from the Lord through our bishops to allow ourselves to be healed, converted and renewed through our encounter and relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and from there sent out on mission for the life of the world.”
More information about the National Eucharistic Revival can be found at https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/
