Eucharistic Revival

Click here to view the three-year timeline for the Eucharistic Revival.

We are now in year two of the revival, the Year of Parish Revival, where parishes can engage in activities to strengthen their understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist.

This year will culminate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the 10^th National Eucharistic Congress in mid-July 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

• REINVIGORATED WORSHIP – Renew the emphasis on the celebration of the liturgy.
•  PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS – For example, host monthly Encounter Nights, featuring Eucharistic adoration and Reconciliation.
•  ROBUST FORMATIONS – For example, implement the “Jesus and the Eucharist” small group initiative.
•  SEND MISSIONARIES – Bring lapsed brothers and sisters home with the “Invite One Back” campaign and recommit to serving the poor in your community in a new way.

Here are some of the available resources:

• Sign up for the Revival Spark Series and receive a daily prayer and reflection email for nine days, or you can download the whole series as a .PDF document.
• Visit the I Am Here website for inspirational stories and resources related to devotion to the Eucharist.
• Learn about many aspects of the Mass and the Eucharist by reading entries in the Revival Blog.
• Listen to the Revive Podcast, hosted by Franciscan Friar Fr. Agustino Torres. (Many episodes available in Spanish)
• Sign up for the Heart of the Revival, a weekly email newsletter providing reflections, videos, and resources about the Eucharist from trusted voices in every corner of the Church.
• Pray the Litany of the Eucharist.

Many resources can be found on the resources page of the revival website, and the following are two that we particularly recommend: 

Jesus and the Eucharist – This 7-part small group series features an impressive array of Catholic voices! Each session opens with an exhortation from a different bishop, includes teaching from prominent theologians and influential figures in the Church today, and highlights personal testimonies from everyday Catholics who have experienced the transformative power of Eucharistic love in their own lives. 

Lectio: Eucharist – A 10-part series by Dr. Brant Pitre discussing the Sacrament of the Eucharist as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Dr. Pire explores the biblical roots of our faith in the Eucharist–beginning with Genesis, working through the Gospels, and concluding with Revelation. He also provides an explanation of how the Eucharist formed the Apostles and the life of the Church. 

There are many resources available in English and Spanish and some in Vietnamese.

You can find some of the Spanish resources by visiting this Resources Page and selecting “Español” under the “Browse Resources” heading.

Also, the parishes that participated in last year’s Eucharistic Procession produced Family Guides. You can use these documents with your household or small group.  They include resources, activities, and pictures/videos and are available in both English and Spanish. 

Family Guides from:

• Prince of Peace    English | Spanish
• St. Ignatius    English | Spanish
• Christ the Good Shepherd     English | Spanish
• St. Edward    English | Spanish

• Misunderstanding the Eucharist – A brief video by Bishop Robert Barron, explaining the need for the Eucharistic Revival.  Bishop Barron was one of the leaders in bringing about the revival. (6 minutes)
• Disciples Doubted the Eucharist – A video by Fr. Mike Schmitz describing how it was difficult even for the disciples to accept the “True Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist. (9 minutes)
• What Early Christians Believed About the Eucharist – A “Pints with Aquinas” video by Matt Fradd discussing what the Early Church Fathers believed about the Eucharist.  Did they believe in the “True Presence” or did some believe that the Eucharist was just a symbol? (14 minutes)
• Lectio: Eucharist – A 10-part series by Dr. Brant Pitre discussing the Sacrament of the Eucharist as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Dr. Pire explores the biblical roots of our faith in the Eucharist–beginning with Genesis, working through the Gospels, and concluding with Revelation. He also provides an explanation of how the Eucharist formed the Apostles and the life of the Church.
• The Veil Removed – A 6-minute short film that reveals the coming together of heaven and earth at Mass, as seen by saints and mystics, revealed by scripture and in the catechism of the Catholic Church. The film demonstrates the reality and power of what happens in each Mass through modern storytelling, high-quality production and a faithful representation of the beauty of the Eucharist.
• The Miraculous Making of The Veil Removed – A fascinating 7-minute video about the making of the short film “The Veil Removed”.  As compelling as the film itself.

Here is a list of the activities that Prince of Peace has planned. 

Eucharistic miracles are events within the Catholic tradition where the consecrated Host, believed to be the body of Christ, exhibits miraculous phenomena such as bleeding, transforming into human flesh, or other extraordinary occurrences. These events are often seen as affirmations of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and are revered by Catholics as signs of God’s presence and power. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Prince of Peace will host an exhibit presenting a selection of the main Eucharistic Miracles recognized by the Catholic Church. 

You can read about five of the more prominent miracles here. You can view a 7-minute video of a cardiologist’s examination of some miracles here. 

Blessed Carlo Acutis was a young Italian Catholic who became well-known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, which he called “my highway to heaven”. He was born in 1991 and died in 2006 from leukemia at the age of 15. Despite his short life, Carlo had a profound impact on those around him through his piety, love for the Eucharist, and his skill in using technology to spread the message of Christianity. Using his expertise in computer programming, he cataloged over 100 Eucharistic miracles and created a website to share his findings with others. His life has inspired many Catholics, and he was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2020, a step towards possible canonization as a saint.  You can view a video about Carlo’s life here and you can see the full list of miracles with links to explanations here in English and here in Spanish. 

For many Catholics, it is sometimes difficult to identify where the Eucharist is in Scripture. We know that the Eucharist is discussed in the “Bread of Life Discourse” in John’s Gospel (Chapter 6), and in the Last Supper, but we are not as educated on other biblical references. The 12 Stations of the Most Holy Eucharist show us the references to the Eucharist in both the Old and New Testaments. They help us to understand how the Eucharist was prefigured in the Old Testament and brought to fruition in the New.

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, formerly led by EWTN founder Mother Angelica, are strong promoters of this devotion and have developed beautiful meditations for each station which are on display at their Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.

Prince of Peace will hold a worship service on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 7pm in the Main Church to pray the 12 Stations of the Most Holy Eucharist.

This EWTN document describes each station.

You can also find a meditation on the Stations of the Cross vs. the Stations of the Most Holy Eucharist here.

If you would like to help organize, facilitate or otherwise support the Eucharistic Revival at Prince of Peace, send an email to EucharisticRevival@POPHouston.org to indicate your interest.