June 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” John 6:54-55
On June 19th of this year, a multiyear National Eucharistic Revival began in the dioceses across the United States. This revival is not another new program, but rather an intense, purposeful focus on the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Recent studies have indicated an alarming trend that a small percentage of Catholics, possibly as low as 30%, truly believe that the Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This is a fundamental teaching of our faith. Without the Eucharist, the real Body of Christ, we cannot be the People, the Catholics, nor the Church that we are called to be.
We believe that “the Eucharist is the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life. The other Sacraments and, indeed, all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the Blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC, 1324)
Today, our society is plagued with fear, doubt, war, hatred, and an overall indifference to the sanctity of human life. There is desperate need to experience the love and truth of Christ. Now, more than ever before, we need this belief of the Eucharist celebrated with renewed vigor in our parishes, Catholic schools, apostolates, ministries and programs. The Revival aims to do just that. Clergy, religious, laity, apostolates, movements, parishes and Diocesan leadership will work together with one common goal – to celebrate our faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist that all might come to believe.
Throughout the Diocese of Harrisburg, I am grateful to the many faithful who already commit themselves to Holy Mass and to Eucharistic Adoration. In a special way, I see the great love for our Eucharistic Lord alive in so many and invite you to join me in praying fervently for that love to fill the hearts of all Catholics.
As we begin the Diocesan phase of this Revival, I encourage you to frequent our website, www.hbgdiocese.org/eucharist, and visit our app (MyParishApp – Diocese of Harrisburg) for the latest information on our Revival activities. We will be updating these platforms throughout the year, including ways you can be involved in this important work.
Together, let us respond to Christ’s invitation and open our hearts to Him, present in the Most Holy Eucharist. United in faith and invoking the intercession of Mary, the Mother of the Eucharist, let us pray this Eucharistic Revival bears fruit for the glory of God.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, DD, JCL
Bishop of Harrisburg
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