The Bishops of the United States are calling for a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. They believe that God wants to see a movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.”
The Eucharistic Revival will launch in dioceses around the country on Sunday, June 19 – the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Here in Altoona-Johnstown, a special diocesan celebration is planned in Loretto on that day. Eucharistic Adoration will be offered from 3:00-6:30 p.m. inside the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. During those hours, various priests will also be available to hear Confessions. Then, Bishop Mark will celebrate a special outdoor Mass at 7:00 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine next to the Basilica, followed by an outdoor Eucharistic Procession around the Shrine. If it is raining, the Mass will be celebrated inside the Basilica.
For the June 19 Mass, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is extending a special invitation to students who received their First Holy Communion this Easter season to be present with their families at the Mass and procession. Newly confirmed are also invited, along with those who entered full communion in the Catholic Church at Easter.
The three year Eucharistic Revival will culminate in the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in almost 50 years. Almost a hundred thousand Catholics will join together in Indianapolis for a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage toward the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith.
MISSION
To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
VISION
A movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.”
STRATEGIC PILLARS
- Foster encounters with Jesus through kerygmatic proclamation and experiences of Eucharistic devotion.
- Contemplate and proclaim the doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist through the Truth of our teaching, Beauty of our worship, and Goodness of our accompaniment of persons in poverty and those who are vulnerable.
- Empower grassroots creativity by partnering with movements, apostolates, parishes, and educational institutions.
- Reach the smallest unit: parish small groups and families.
- Embrace and learn from the various rich intercultural Eucharistic traditions.
