September 10, 2023
“If it’s just a symbol, then to hell with it.” So said famed Southern writer Flannery O’Connor when dinner guests began challenging her on the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Real Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
For many people today – including quite a number of Catholics, unfortunately – the Eucharist is nothing more than a quaint remembrance of a past moment in Jesus’ life, and the bread and wine offered at Mass remain completely unchanged. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In an effort to reach out to those who have grown lukewarm or have never been properly taught about the power, beauty and True Presence within the Most Blessed Sacrament, the bishops of the United States have instituted a 3-year Eucharistic Revival, filled with opportunities to grow more in love with our Lord in Holy Communion. Here in the Wilmington Diocese, there have already been Eucharistic Processions, talks and rallies with our school-aged children and meetings at the deanery level to try to increase both understanding and renewed devotion. More events are scheduled in the next two years.
One initiative at Immaculate Conception/St Jude that I would like to offer includes four Monday sessions at the end of September and throughout October (9/25; 10/2; 10/23; 10/30) which explore both Scriptural and Church teachings on Eucharist and the Mass. These opportunities will precede the return of The Cup at Sunday Mass, which we plan on bringing back during the First Sunday of Advent (the start of the new Church year). More information will be forthcoming as we work out details and invite additional extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to assist us.
In the meantime, please pray for a renewed fervor for receiving Our Lord and devotion to this Most Blessed Sacrament. From my own life’s journey, I know I wouldn’t be who I am today (or where I am) without having had life-changing encounters as a result of the Eucharist. As one author familiar with St. Francis de Sales once wrote: “The Eucharist is the summary of all that Jesus has done for us; this Sacrament is truly the love of the Divine Savior for us [because He knew] we need to be near the heart of our Loved One.” I wonder if we realize how truly blessed, we are!