Fr. Tom Buckman processes with the Eucharist on June 30, 2024, during the visit of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to his parish of St. Mary’s in Franklin, Ky. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
The goal of the National Eucharistic Revival
BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, OFFICE OF EVANGELIZATION & DISCIPLESHIP
As the National Eucharistic Revival comes to and end on Pentecost on June 8, 2025, we can look back over this three-year journey and reflect on if it has met its goal. The mission was 1) “to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” and 2) “to inspire a movement of Catholics who are healed, converted, formed and unified by an encounter with Jesus and then sent out for the life of the world.” While this goal will never be fully met on this side of heaven, we have experienced and witnessed a great move of the Holy Spirit across our country and in our diocese.
The title of our Acts 2:42 small group session this month is “Inviting People to the Bread of Life.” The participant booklet says, “we are all blind beggars leading other blind beggars to the Bread of Life. As we reflect in humility and contemplation, it is not too difficult to see that our lives would be so different if it were not for God’s love and mercy.”
Of course, it would be so amazing to have all our family, friends, coworkers and even strangers receive the Eucharist and be transformed into Christ’s love. However, the first step is to realize this transformation in our own lives. How are you allowing Jesus in the Holy Eucharist to change you? As you receive self-giving love of Jesus and worship him in the Eucharist, are you becoming the self-giving love of Jesus in your daily life?
I recently attended the men’s Cursillo weekend in our diocese. There is a men’s retreat coming up on April 25-26 at Rough River; I am in a support group with two other Christian men; and my wife and I are in an Acts 2:42 group. Where have you found growth, support and accountability in your life? Prayerfully consider where God might be calling you to be involved with other Christians and be transformed. And then, at the table of the Lord, you will be more ready, open and aware of how God is working in your life. While this is so important, it is not the goal.
The goal is to be missionary disciples of Jesus. We are his body, hands, feet, and voice to a troubled and hurting world. It is necessary that we live joy-filled, abundant lives in union with the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This power and transformation come from God, and then our mission and the goal is that we live it and share it with the world.
As we love people, express care and concern for them and value them as God’s children, people see our support and desire to be in relationship with us. As these relationships grow, we can invite them for a parish event that would be welcoming and offer them hope. Eventually we can invite them to the Bread of Life at Mass!
Peace,
Jeff
Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship and can be reached at [email protected].
Originally printed in the April 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
