If you have a special love for the Eucharist and want to share it with others, the Archdiocese of Baltimore wants you to consider becoming a “Eucharistic Missionary.”
Eucharistic Missionaries are Catholics who will receive special support in spreading devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in parishes throughout the archdiocese as part of the National Eucharistic Revival launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Corpus Christi in 2022.
Mary Ellen Bilenki, a member of St Alphonsus Rodriguez Parish, Woodstock, and archdiocesan point person for the Eucharistic Revival, explained that a Eucharistic Missionary is a Catholic who has a personal relationship with Jesus.
“Their faith journey can help to transform the hearts of others by sharing their story,” she said.
Sharing, Bilenki explained, “might take place talking with a friend or coworker; (at) a faith-centered event, like a brief talk at Mass after Communion, RCIA, religious education, or Bible Study; or a community event.”
Deacon Kevin Hostutler, who along with Deacon Christopher Yeung, has been coordinating the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s approach to the National Eucharistic Revival for the past year, said June marks the beginning of the “Year of Parish Revival,” the second year of the USCCB’s three-year plan. It will kick off on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with a June 10 celebration beginning at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.
The day will begin with Mass, followed by a eucharistic procession and a guest speaker who will offer a reflection on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Food and more will also be available.
“The goal of this year is to strengthen, deepen and foster eucharistic devotion at a parish level,” said Deacon Hostutler, who is stationed at St. Louis in Clarksville and St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton. “A natural outcome of this year is not only deepening our faith in the Eucharist, but to also help identify and then train those who would be willing to become Eucharistic Missionaries for each parish.”
One of the goals of the national revival, said Deacon Hostutler, is to identify a point person in every parish in the U.S. to help coordinate the Eucharistic Missionaries. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, pastors have been asked to identify a parish point person and to extend invitations to their parishioners to become missionaries.
People are qualified to be Eucharistic Missionaries, Deacon Hostutler said, “simply by virtue of their baptism into Christ Jesus.” He acknowledged the hope that “missionaries will be able to effectively share their deeper appreciation for Christ in the Eucharist and add great strength to our evangelization efforts,” while supporting the various ministries of their parishes and schools. No degrees or special training are necessary.
Bilenki explained that practical coaching and spiritual support will be provided by the USCCB to Eucharistic Missionaries to equip and inspire them to share their love of the Lord with others.
In addition, she said, Eucharistic Missionaries will support one another in small groups that meet every month or so (in person or via Zoom) for prayer, sharing and reflection, with an expected launch date in the Fall of 2023.
Eucharistic Missionaries are invited to represent the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024. Deacon Hostutler said the event will then send missionaries back into their dioceses to “continue the significant work of the Eucharist Revival in their parishes during the ‘National Year of Missions’” which runs through July 2025.
“I encourage any Catholic who wants to bring faith in our Lord in the Eucharist to others to consider becoming a Eucharistic Missionary,” Deacon Hostutler said.
Those interested are encouraged to contact their pastors, or apply through the archdiocesan link at Eucharist Revival 2023 Eucharist Missionary (regfox.com).
To find out more about Eucharistic Missionaries visit Get Involved: How Will You Respond? (eucharisticrevival.org).
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