Starting a Fire, Not a Program

07-10-2022Pastor's LetterRev. Gregory B. Wilson, VF

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“We want to start a fire, not a program.” Bishop Andrew Cozzens

As I mentioned in an earlier column, a time of National Eucharistic Revival was launched on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. The first year invites us to what Pope Francis has described as “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” – particularly the transforming power and mercy of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Each Diocese will offer events that encourage the faithful to grow in their understanding and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist, complemented by online formation and resources that will raise up Eucharistic Missionaries at all levels of the Church!

Why Now? Because the Church needs healing. And the world needs the Church. Scandal, division, disease, doubt… The Church has withstood each of these throughout our very human history. But today we confront all of them, all at once. Our response in this moment is pivotal.

In the midst of these roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that He is more powerful than the storm. He desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world. How will He do it? By uniting us once again around the source and summit of our faith – the Most Holy Eucharist. Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration.
- St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Grounded in prayer and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the National Eucharistic Revival has four primary goals:

1 – To provide a more profound encounter with Jesus Christ in the Sunday liturgy as a point of unity among all Catholics, and through this powerful encounter, find personal healing and courage to take the Gospel to a world in need of authentic love – the love of Christ found in the Eucharist.

2 – To spark personal conversions through the joyful discovery of a relationship with Christ by encountering the love of God present in Jesus in the Eucharist.

3 – To elevate the truth and practices of our Catholic faith through the rediscovery of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist – the source and summit of our Church and of who we are as a people of God.

4 – To form, inspire, and launch missionary disciples, filled with love of God and neighbor that comes from an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, to the margins of the Church and the world.

Please join us in prayer for the renewal and healing of the United States as we answer this historic call to revival! –

(all information from eucharisticrevival.org)

BACK TO LIST