If you are keeping up with the state of the Catholic Church in the world, you are aware that we are currently suffering many divisions within.
An encouraging bright spot for those of us in the Church in the United States is that our U.S. Conference of Bishops are working to foster unity in the American Church through a 3-year Eucharistic Revival.
Findings on Eucharistic Beliefs
The impetus for the revival is a disturbing survey taken by the Pew Research Center in 2019 that calculated only one-third of U.S. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Some argue the percentages but if even one baptized Catholic believes the Eucharist is only a symbol, and not our Lord Jesus Christ, that is too many.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church confirms that Jesus truly present in the Eucharist is not up for debate or is it a matter of opinion:
“[…] He (Jesus) is present . . . most especially in the Eucharistic species” (1373).
“The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as ‘the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all sacraments tend.’ In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained’” (1374).
Insights From St. Peter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard, a priest who lived in 1800s France during the rampant Jansenism heresy in the Church, said, “The reign of the devil returns in proportion to the lessening of faith in the Eucharist.” Since the Greek word for devil—diabolos—means scatterer or divider it stands to reason the growing division in the Church today is directly linked to what that survey revealed about Catholics belief in the Eucharist. A Eucharistic revival is needed!
Intentionality in Eucharistic Worship
What I find so encouraging and inspiring is that we don’t have to wait to see what the U.S. Bishops, other bishops around the world or even the pope does to fix this problem of uniting the Church. Each of us can become the solution to the divisions in the Church by simply being more intentional in receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.
This intentionality should include:
- Genuflecting, and not a quick head tilt, but a real get down on your knees or standing and bowing your head slowly toward the tabernacle when you enter a Church to show our deep respect and gratitude for Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.
- During Mass, and especially during the offertory, paying attention to Jesus who is being made present during transubstantiation from bread and wine into his Body and Blood.
- When receiving Communion, bowing before your turn to receive Jesus and responding with a confirming “Amen” when the host is lifted, “The Body of Christ,” and the cup, “The Blood of Christ.”
- Returning to the pew and spending quiet time thanking Jesus for making good on his promise to be with us always by uniting with us truly present in the Eucharist.
“In that little host is the solution to all the problems of the world.” - Pope John Paull II
Resources and Insights
Pilgrim Center of Hope has resources to help you understand more about the Eucharist and many jewels of the Catholic faith. Find out more at PilgrimCenterofHope.org.
Nan Balfour is a grateful Catholic whose greatest desire is to make our Lord Jesus more loved. She seeks to accomplish this through her vocation to womanhood, marriage, and motherhood, as a writer, Missionary of Hope, Prayer Intercessor, Speaker Team member, and Volunteer for Pilgrim Center of Hope.
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
