The importance of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival was the focus of a talk on Jan. 18, 2024, at St. William Parish in Naples.
More than 600 people were inspired by Dr. Mary Healy, a theologian, best-selling author, and professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, during her talk titled, “The Holy Spirit and the Eucharist.”
Healy talked about the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year movement of the U.S. Bishops, including Bishop Frank J. Dewane, to restore understanding and devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist here in the United States. The movement is currently in its Parish-phase, which includes organizing Catholic speakers, more time for adoration, Eucharistic processions, and other exciting events.
Importantly, for this movement, the Bishops chose the term revival over renewal, Healy said. A renewal is a human effort to do things better or to correct them, while revival means, bringing alive what was dead.
“What the Bishops are doing in this National Eucharistic Revival is an energetic, creative and fervent effort that is ultimately God’s work, because He wants to bring His Church alive,” Healy said. “The world needs to see the Church alive.”
This revival is also defined as a sovereign work of God in answer to sincere prevailing prayer – a divine visitation. Healy said this is what we all need to be praying for during these three years because the sovereign work of God is greater than any catechetical program or any Eucharistic Congress.
“During the Revival, God will fill His people with the Holy Spirit, and the graces of the Holy Spirit will awaken us,” Healy said. “Therefore, during the Revival, God awakens hunger in those who don’t know Him, or in those who have walked away from Him, and He awakes a hunger in His people to evangelize to bear witness to Christ. Hunger breeds hunger, and it’s explosive.”
The crowd at St. William Parish was captivated by Healy’s talk and responded enthusiastically when she called on each of them to carry the message of the National Eucharistic Revival in their heart and into the world.
The Diocese of Venice has been actively participating in the National Eucharistic Revival having hosted numerous events with the Most Holy Eucharist as a central theme, including a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in 2023. The second Diocesan Eucharistic Conference is March 16, at Bishop Verot Catholic High School, 3398 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers. All are invited to attend the all-day event of faith and fellowship, featuring inspirational Catholic speakers. English and Spanish sessions will be offered. The day will include the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/eucharistic-conference-2024/.
The National Eucharistic Revival will culminate in the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in almost 50 years. This historic gathering will take place in Indianapolis from July 17 to 21, 2024. Bishop Dewane is leading a pilgrimage to the National Congress. If you are interested in joining the pilgrimage, please learn more by visiting https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/evangelization/pilgrimage-to-national-eucharistic-congress/.
