Five things to know about the Year of the Eucharist in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which comes to an end with the Feast of Corpus Christi June 19.
When and where is the closing celebration, and what does it entail?
Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, North Baltimore. Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate Mass, followed by a eucharistic procession around the campus of the cathedral. Afterward, there will be treats, including a Kona Ice truck, and activities.
What is the significance of the Year of the Eucharist?
According to Archbishop Lori, the yearlong celebration was a “concrete way to connect with the Lord and experience his never-ending light.” He also said it was a time to “deepen and enrich the eucharistic faith of those who regularly practice the faith.” And “at the same time, we want to till the soil and replant the seeds of eucharistic faith among those who no longer practice the faith and among those who are searching for the truth.”
What’s next?
The U.S. Catholic Church’s three-year National Eucharistic Revival about to get underway “is not a program but a movement” that is an invitation to the faithful from God to go on mission and be compelling witnesses of our faith. The National Eucharistic Revival begins June 19, the feast of Corpus Christi, and includes a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024. Along the way, there will be parish, diocesan and regional events to increase Catholics’ understanding of the real presence in the Eucharist.
The first year will get underway at the parish and diocesan levels with initiatives such as eucharistic adoration and processions, the development of parish teams rand conferences on the Eucharist.
The following year there will be regional revival events, leading to the eucharistic congress, the first to be held in the United States since one took place in 1976 in Philadelphia. It is expected to draw at least 80,000 from across the country.
The U.S. bishops approved plans for the revival and the congress last November during their fall general assembly in Baltimore.
What is the feast of Corpus Christi?
The feast of Corpus Christi was instituted for the entire church in 1264 by Pope Urban IV. Also called the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, it honors the Real Presence of Christ – Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – in the Eucharist.
What are the four ways Christ is present at Mass?
He’s present in four ways – the priest celebrant, the faithful gathered, in the liturgy of the Word and in the Eucharist.
Listen to a radio interview about the Year of the Eucharist: https://catholicreview.org/radio-interview-national-eucharistic-revival/
Read More Year of the Eucharist
Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media
English
Spanish