Archives for June 2024

June 28, 2024 by Colin Rahill

W H A T | Mass, Eucharistic Procession and Family Eucharistic Festival
W H E N | Saturday, July 6, 10 a.m. Mass followed by Procession then Festival 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
W H E R E | Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, then Eucharistic Procession (south along Plum Street to Seventh Street, east on Seventh Street to Race Street then south on Race Street to Fifth Street then east to Fountain Square) and Festival at Fountain Square
W H O | 3,000+ Christians Expected to Participate

Release Date: June 28, 2024
Jesus is Here! National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in area July 1-8

On May 19 four groups of pilgrims embarked on a two-month journey totaling more than 6,500 combined miles through cities, along highways, across bridges, in boats, over mountain ranges and through rural towns. The groups are processing along four pilgrimage routes from four corners of the country: north, south, east and west, to converge at the 10^th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-20. (A pilgrimage is a prayerful journey to a holy place.) The path of the eastern pilgrimage route – the St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Route (Seton Route) – will come through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati July 1 – 8. The pilgrimage is a Eucharistic Pilgrimage. This means Jesus in the transubstantiated bread, known as the Eucharist, is being processed in a sacred vessel, leading the pilgrims along the route. This kind of pilgrimage is special because a journey with the Eucharist is a journey with Jesus and every place visited becomes a holy place.

The Seton Route began in New Haven, Connecticut and has travel through New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, Ohio. Combined, over the 44-day journey so far, the pilgrims have visited more than 100 locations. These have included, more than 65 parish churches, 16 cathedrals and/or basilicas, 5 shrines, schools, service locations, convents, prisons, marinas, a rehabilitation center, a seminary, and a cemetery.

Along the Seton Route in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati – locally being called, Jesus is Here – pilgrims will stop at 10 parish churches, the Greene County Jail, Pregnancy Center Plus, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and a Eucharistic Festival. More information about each stop, the route, and events can be found at www.JesusIsHere2024.org. (A detailed rundown of the route and stops at the end of the release.)

A large crowd of more than 3,000 participants is expected for Jesus is Here in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, July 6. This day begins with a Eucharistic Procession from Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Mount Adams, departing at 8:45 a.m. Pilgrims will walk to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains for Mass at 10 a.m. celebrated by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr. An overflow crowd is expected at the Cathedral. After Mass all gathered will process in prayer along Plum, Seventh, Race and Fifth Streets (see map below) to Fountain Square for additional time of prayer followed by a Jesus is Here Eucharistic Family Festival sponsored by Mercy Health.

Members of the media are invited to join any event during the pilgrimage. Please reach out to Jennifer Schack ([email protected] or 859.512.5626) to arrange interviews and live-shots. Pilgrims who have walked the entire route from Connecticut are available for interviews.

Eucharistic Procession Map following 10 a.m. Mass on Saturday, July 6:

Detailed Rundown of Events and Pilgrimage Stops in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati:

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Archdiocese of Cincinnati July 1 – 8

St. Brigid Church
July 1 – 2, Xenia

[Short Description]
Eucharistic procession followed by adoration with praise and worship music and a speaker. A community meal and overnight adoration afterwards. Mass the following morning.

[Details]
Eucharistic procession from Greene County Expo Center (Fairgrounds) to St. Brigid Church on July 1. The procession will begin between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. Following the arrival of the procession at St. Brigid Church, a Holy Hour is planned that will include a talk from a national Eucharistic speaker and praise and worship music. Priests will also be available to hear confessions. The Holy Hour is planned to take place between about 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. (Actual time is dependent on procession departure and arrival time.) Following the Holy Hour, a community meal will be available for all. The event will feature a display of Eucharistic Miracles by St. Carlo Acutis. After the evening meal and celebration, adoration and confession will be available in St. Brigid Church overnight until 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Following overnight adoration, morning Mass will begin at 7:30 a.m. Afterwards, a Eucharistic procession will travel from St. Brigid Church to Xenia Station. Along the procession route, pilgrims will stop at Greene County Jail to pray outside. Coffee and donuts available after the Eucharistic procession.

July 2 Pilgrimage Route:
Walk from Xenia Station to Walton Park, Spring Valley

- Departure from Xenia Station: 9:30 a.m.
- Distance: 6.8 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 5 hours
- Approximate arrival at Walton Park, Spring Valley: 2:30 p.m.

St. Francis de Sales Church
July 2 – 3, Lebanon

[Short Description]
Eucharistic adoration with recitation of the Rosary and an evening parish meal. Mass the next morning.

[Details]
A Holy Hour from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. is planned at St. Francis de Sales Church on July 2. The Holy Hour will include music, with the Rosary led by the Holy Family School of Faith, and Benediction. A parish potluck meal will follow the Holy Hour.
Accessibility Features: ASL, Large Print Programs, Braille, Sensory Friendly Space
On July 3, morning Mass will begin at 7:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church. A continental breakfast will follow Mass. After breakfast, a Eucharistic procession will travel through downtown Lebanon from St. Francis de Sales Church to Bicentennial Park. Following the Eucharistic procession to Bicentennial Park, participants in the Pilgrimage Route will drive to Countryside YMCA, participants wishing to return to St. Francis de Sales Church will be able to ride a shuttle back.

July 3 Pilgrimage Route:
Walk from Countryside YMCA in Lebanon Kings Mills Bike Trail Access

- Departure from Countryside YMCA: 10:30 a.m.
- Distance: 6.3 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 4.5 hours
- Approximate Arrival at Kings Mills Bike Trail Access: 3:00 p.m.

St. Gertrude Church
July 3 – 5, Madeira

[Short Description]
Evening Eucharistic adoration and Benediction on July 3. Mass the morning of July 5.

[Details]
An evening prayer vigil for the nation is planned during Eucharistic adoration at St. Gertrude Church from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on July 3. Benediction will conclude the evening vigil.

Day 4, no events planned for July 4.

The morning of July 5, Mass at 8:00 a.m. at St. Gertrude Church will be followed by a Eucharistic procession through downtown Madeira and conclude at McDonald Commons Park.

McDonald Commons Park 7502 Dawson Rd., Maderia OH 45243

July 5 Pilgrimage Route Part 1:
Walk from McDonald Commons Park in Madeira to St. Cecilia Church in Oakley. The pilgrimage will include two stops: the celebration of the Mass at the Oratory of St. John Vianney at 11:45 a.m. followed by a stop at Pregnancy Center Plus.

- Departure from : 8:30 a.m.
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 7 hours
- Approximate Arrival at St. Cecilia Church: 3:30 p.m.

St. Cecilia Church & St. Mary Church
July 5 – 6, Oakley

[Short Description]
Adoration and fellowship followed by a Eucharistic procession through Oakley and Hyde Park. Evening Vespers then Lauds the next morning.

[Details]
A Holy Hour at St. Cecilia Church will begin at 6:00 p.m. on July 5. The Holy Hour will include short reflections given by the national pilgrims accompanying the Blessed Sacrament along the Seton pilgrimage route. Following the Holy Hour, a cookout will be held at St. Anne Garden. All are welcome. Beginning at 8:30 p.m., a Eucharistic procession will be made from St. Cecilia Church in Oakley to St. Mary Church in Hyde Park. The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed at St. Mary Church with Vespers to conclude the evening.

July 5 Pilgrimage Route Part 2:
Eucharistic Procession from St. Cecilia Church in Oakley to St. Mary Church in Hyde Park.

- Departure from St. Cecilia Church: 8:30 p.m.
- Distance: 1 mile
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 1 hour
- Approximate Arrival at St. Mary Church: 9:30 p.m.

The morning of July 6 at 7:30 a.m., Lauds will be prayed at St. Mary Church before pilgrims depart.

Holy Cross-Immaculata Church
July 6, Mount Adams

July 6 Pilgrimage Route:
Eucharistic procession from Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Mount Adams to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati.

- Departure from Holy Cross-Immaculata Church: 8:45 a.m.
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 1 hour
- Approximate Arrival at the Cathedral Basilica: 9:45 a.m.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter In Chains then Fountain Square
July 6, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

- 10:00 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains with Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.
  Accessibility Feature: ASL
- 11:00 a.m. Eucharistic procession from the cathedral basilica to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati.\
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Jesus is Here Eucharistic Festival at Fountain Square presented by Mercy Health
- Accessibility Features: ASL, Large Print Program, Braille, Confession for the Deaf, Sensory Friendly Tent

Jesus is Here at Fountain Square will begin with Holy Hour – adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praise and worship music by Damascus Worship, a Eucharistic reflection by Father Jacob Lindle, and Benediction. Priests will be available for confession. Following Holy Hour, the festival will feature a concert by popular contemporary Christian artist Jervis Campbell. Games, food trucks and activities will be available during this family-friendly celebration!

St. Lawrence, St. William & St. Teresa of Avila
July 7 – 8, Price Hill

[Short Description]
Sunday morning Mass, then a Eucharistic procession followed by Holy Hour and afternoon cookout. The next morning will include Mass followed by a Eucharistic procession and breakfast.

[Details]
Sunday morning Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church in Price Hill. Holy Hour including adoration and the opportunity for confession will follow Mass. At 1:00 p.m. a bilingual Eucharistic procession will travel from St. Lawrence Church to St. William Church in Price Hill.
Upon arrival at St. William Church, a bilingual Holy Hour with an opportunity for confession will take place from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. It will be followed by a cookout with food provided by the local Hispanic community.
On Monday, July 8, Mass will begin at 7:00 a.m. at St. William Church, followed by a short procession to St. Teresa of Avila Church. Breakfast will be served upon arrival.

July 7 Pilgrimage Route:
Eucharistic procession from St. Lawrence Church in Price Hill to Elder High School, ending at St. William Church in Price Hill.

- Departure from St. Lawrence Church: 1:00 p.m.
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 1 hour
- Approximate Arrival at St. William Church: 2:00 p.m.

July 8 Pilgrimage Route:
Eucharistic procession from St. William Church in Price Hill to St. Teresa of Avila Church in Price Hill.

- Departure from St. William Church: 7:30 a.m.
- Distance: 1.3 miles
- Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 45 minutes
- Approximate Arrival at St. Teresa of Avila: 8:15 a.m.

###

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51^stlargest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
[email protected]

June 19, 2024 by Colin Rahill

Download PDF Version – English | Download PDF Version – Spanish

June 19, 2024
Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate the 203rd anniversary of the establishment of our archdiocese (then diocese) by Pope Pius VII. For over two centuries, Catholics in these 19 counties of western and southwestern Ohio have celebrated and shared in our Lord’s presence and mission as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Throughout these many years, the Church has responded to the pastoral, spiritual, and temporal needs of people, proclaiming the Gospel through word and action. It is fitting, therefore, to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by considering how we may continue to grow together as the Church in this time and place.

Beacons of Light highlights the call of every person to actively participate as “a member of a parish, the Universal Church, and our local Church” and to “continually deepen the bond of communion with other parishes.” Consistent with this principle, many Families of Parishes recognize the benefit of working together to serve the poor, reach out to those who are homebound, engage young people in the faith, and better use their resources to fulfill Christ’s great commission to share the Good News of salvation. Such collaboration in ministry is encouraging. Still, there is even more we can do to further Christ’s mission into the future through the parishes and ministries of the archdiocese.

This year, Catholics throughout the United States continue to participate in the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year movement to deepen understanding and devotion to this great mystery of our faith. As St. Augustine teaches us, the Church and the Eucharist are two facets of the same reality, the Divine Person of Jesus Christ. The Revival invites us to reflect on the gift and fruit of Christ’s enduring Eucharistic presence in the Church. Through prayer, reflection, catechesis and celebration, we are reminded of Christ’s great sacrifice and our responsibility to give freely and fully in order to share God’s love with others.

Our participation in the Eucharist draws us into metanoia – a fundamental and enduring change of mind and heart – in order to be more like the One whose Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity we receive in Holy Communion. Change typically is not easy, either for ourselves or for the Church. Yet change is necessary. The circumstances in which the Church operates now are different than they were two hundred years ago, or during any period of time in between. We therefore must consider whether all our resources and activities are properly oriented to helping people encounter Christ and grow more deeply in love with Him through His Church.

On this anniversary of the archdiocese, we pray for a deepening of devotion to our Lord in the Eucharist and that this devotion will foster a greater spirit of unity in our Families of Parishes, our archdiocese and the entire Catholic Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati

June 17, 2024 by Colin Rahill

Deacon Leonard (Len) Parker, a deacon of the Archdiocese, died on June 13, 2024 at the age of 75. Deacon Len was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on September 29, 2001. He served the Archdiocese as a permanent deacon for twenty-two years.

Upon his ordination, Deacon Len was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Hillsboro. He served faithfully at the parish throughout his entire ordained ministry.

Deacon Len was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, in 2017, to whom he was married for 35 years. He leaves his two sons, one daughter, and their spouses, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 212 South High St, Hillsboro, OH 45133. Visitation will precede the Mass at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You may read the full obituary on the funeral home website here.

Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Len Parker in your prayers, as well as peace and consolation for his entire family.

June 4, 2024 by Colin Rahill

Effective February 12, 2024

Reverend Ethan Moore appointed Parochial Vicar of C-1 Family of Parishes which includes St. John the Evangelist, New Paris; St. Mary, Camden; St. Mary, Oxford; and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eaton.

Effective July 1, 2024

Reverend Kenneth Alt, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-8 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Redeemer, New Bremen; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cassella; Precious Blood, Chickasaw; St. Augustine, Minster; St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein; St. Joseph, Egypt; St. Rose, St. Rose; and St. Sebastian, St. Sebastian.

Reverend Brice J. Berger appointed Parochial Vicar of C-3 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon; and St. Philip the Apostle, Morrow.

Reverend Adam C. Berning appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-2 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Rosary, St. Mary; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Montezuma; Immaculate Conception, Celina; St. Patrick, Glynwood; and St. Teresa, Rockford.

Reverend Alex Biryomumeisho appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Angels, Sidney; Sacred Heart of Jesus, McCartyville; St. Michael, Fort Loramie; and Sts. Peter & Paul, Newport.

Reverend James Gaynor, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-6 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Emmanuel, Dayton; Holy Trinity, Dayton; Precious Blood, Dayton; St. Joseph, Dayton; St. Paul, Englewood; and St. Rita, Dayton.

Reverend John P. Grusenmeyer appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-3 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Aloysius, Carthagena; St. Bernard, Burkettsville; St. Francis, Cranberry Prairie; St. Henry, St. Henry; and St. Wendelin, St. Wendelin.

Reverend Aaron Hess appointed Parochial Vicar of S-3 Family of Parishes
- This includes Guardian Angels, Mt. Washington; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township; St. Jerome Mission Church, Cincinnati; and St. John Fisher, Newtown.

Reverend Edward J. Hoffmann will be released from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for extended Active Duty as a chaplain in the United States military.

Reverend Mark Hoying, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-8 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Redeemer, New Bremen; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cassella; Precious Blood, Chickasaw; St. Augustine, Minster; St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein; St. Joseph, Egypt; St. Rose, St. Rose; and St. Sebastian, St. Sebastian.

Reverend Louis Jacquemin appointed Parochial Vicar of SW-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Antoninus, St. Catharine of Siena, and St. Martin of Tours in Cincinnati.

Reverend Michael Kapolka will be released from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for extended Active Duty as a chaplain in the United States military.

Reverend Jarred Kohn appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-1 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Immaculate Conception, North Lewisburg; Sacred Heart, St. Paris; St. Mary, Urbana; St. Mary of the Woods, Russells Point; St. Michael, Mechanicsburg; and St. Patrick, Bellefontaine.

Reverend Christopher Komoroski appointed Pastor of NE-2 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Bernard, Springfield; St. Charles Borromeo, South Charleston; St. Joseph, Springfield; St. Raphael, Springfield; and St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, Springfield.

Reverend Benson Lokidiriyo appointed Parochial Vicar of SW-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Antoninus, St. Catharine of Siena, and St. Martin of Tours in Cincinnati.

Reverend Benjamin S. Mersch appointed Parochial Vicar of C-2 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Family, Middletown; Holy Name of Jesus, Trenton; and Our Lady of Sorrows, Monroe.

Reverend Matthew E. Montag appointed Parochial Vicar of C-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township.

Reverend Ethan Moore appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-1 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Trinity, Coldwater; Mary Help of Christians, Ft. Recovery; St. Anthony, St. Anthony; St. Joseph, St. Joseph; St. Mary, Philothea; St. Paul, Sharpsburg; and St. Peter, St. Peter.

Reverend Robert K. Muhlenkamp appointed Pastor of NW-2 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Rosary, St. Mary; Our Lady of Guadalupe, Montezuma; Immaculate Conception, Celina; St. Patrick, Glynwood; and St. Teresa, Rockford.

Reverend Thomas Nevels appointed Pastor of NE-5 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Charles Borromeo, St. Albert the Great, and Ascension in Kettering.

Reverend Edward Pratt appointed Parochial Vicar of SE-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Andrew, Milford, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Milford and St. Veronica in Mt. Carmel.

Reverend James Riehle reappointed to another 6-year term as Pastor of C-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township.

Reverend Anthony J. Sanitato appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-5 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Ascension, St. Albert the Great, and St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering.

Reverend Jeremy S. Stubbs appointed Parochial Vicar of S-8 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Cross-Immaculata, Our Lord Christ the King, St. Rose and St. Stephen in Cincinnati.

Reverend John Tonkin appointed Pastor of NW-7 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Holy Angels, Sidney; Sacred Heart of Jesus, McCartyville; St. Michael, Fort Loramie; and Sts. Peter and Paul, Newport.

Reverend Nam Quoc Vu, SVD, appointed Parochial Vicar of C-6 Family of Parishes
- This family includes Queen of Peace, Hamilton; St. Aloysius, Shandon; St. Joseph, Hamilton; St. Julie Billiart, Hamilton; and St. Peter in Chains, Hamilton.

Reverend Michael Willig appointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Face of Jesus Parish, Wapakoneta.

Reverend Sean Wilson appointed Pastor of Holy Face of Jesus Parish, Wapakoneta.

Retirement from active ministry

Reverend Anthony Dattilo, Parochial Vicar of SW-7, effective July 1, 2024

Reverend Robert Farrell, Parochial Vicar of C-3, effective July 1, 2024

Reverend John MacQuarrie, Pastor of NE-2, effective July 1, 2024

Effective August 1, 2024

Reverend Alan Hirt, OFM, appointed Pastor of S-14 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Clement, St. Bernard and St. Francis Seraph in Cincinnati.
Reverend William (Jud) Weiksnar, OFM, appointed Parochial Vicar of S-14 Family of Parishes
- This family includes St. Clement, St. Bernard and St. Francis Seraph, Cincinnati.

Effective Fall of 2024

Reverend Jacob B. Lindle assigned to graduate studies in Rome.

June 1, 2024 by Colin Rahill

Download PDF Version – English | Download PDF Version – Spanish

“Do this in memory of me.”

Jesus first spoke these words to His disciples as they gathered with Him in the Upper Room to eat the Passover meal on the eve of His Passion. He continues to speak these words to us at every Mass, at the end of the consecration of the bread and wine into His Body and Blood. As He gives us the great gift of the Eucharist, He also gives us this command: “Do this in memory of me.” There is a twofold meaning to this phrase which would benefit us greatly to reflect upon during these years of Eucharistic Revival.

First, Jesus commissioned the Twelve to do what He had done in the Upper Room. They were to take ordinary bread and wine which, through the power of the Holy Spirit become His Body and Blood, and to share that gift with His disciples as the food which nourishes us for eternal life.hus, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (cf. Lumen Gentium, 11). It is the source because it is the re-presentation of Christ’s saving sacrifice on the Cross and His triumph over sin and death in the Resurrection. The life of the Christian flows out of this mystery of our redemption. The Eucharist is also the summit of Christian life because it is a foretaste of Heaven’s glory, sharing eternal life in communion with God, the angels and all the saints. Through Christ, truly present in the Eucharist, we are sacramentally united now in anticipation of the perfect unity we hope to share in Heaven. With the command to “Do this in memory of me,” Jesus wanted to ensure that His disciples throughout the ages would be spiritually nourished with this sacramental meal.

Second, through these words Jesus directs His disciples, all of us, to conform our entire lives to the pattern of selfless love which He has taught us and which is most evident in the mystery of the Eucharist. “Do this” is not only a command that the Sacrament of the Eucharist be celebrated, but also a reminder that the Lord calls each of us to give of ourselves for the good of others, to unite our sacrifices to the sacrifice of the Cross, and to live inspired by the hope of sharing in the glory of the Resurrection.

The Christian who lives a Eucharistic life doesn’t just go to Mass and receive Holy Communion. Rather we allow Christ’s Real Presence received in the Eucharist to transform our hearts, minds and wills so that our lives, in an ever-increasing way, radiate God’s love to a world desperately in need of His grace.

The love of God present in the Eucharist is infinite. We can always grow in our awareness of God’s love for us, in our acknowledgement of our need for His mercy, and in our dependence on the gifts of His grace. We should never think that we have exhausted this source of divine love which God makes available to us. Nor should we think that we have conformed ourselves to that love as much as we are able. God is never done with us. He has so much in store for us to receive and to become.

May God grant us the grace to live ever more Eucharistic lives, and may this Eucharistic Revival truly be a renewal of His life-giving presence within each of our hearts.