Year of the Eucharist for the Archdiocese of Boston

12-22-2019Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Cardinal Seán O'Malley has declaring a Year of the Eucharist for the Archdiocese of Boston. The year will officially begin on Holy Thursday (April 9, 2020) and end on the Feast of Corpus Christi (June 6, 2021). He explains what prompted his decision in a letter dated December 10. Excerpts are included below.

"A recent Pew Study entitled "What Americans Know About Religion" reported that only 31% of Catholics believe that the bread and the wine consecrated during the Mass actually become the body and blood of Jesus, and that only half of Catholics know of the Church's teaching concerning the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In order to help people gain a better understanding of the Eucharist, on Holy Thursday 2020, the Archdiocese of Boston will begin a Year of the Eucharist. It is my hope and prayer that through this spiritual initiative we can invite and encourage our brothers and sisters to find the consolation of the Lord through participation in the celebration of the Eucharist and in times of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament."…

"Recent times have been very difficult for the Church and her people. In the Year of the Eucharist, we all have the opportunity to renew and strengthen our faith and our closeness to the Lord. If we center ourselves in the Real Presence of Jesus, in His friendship, then everything else will make sense. At the celebration of Mass, Jesus is there, waiting for us, inviting us to the table where He is making a gift of Himself to us so that we may have the strength to make a gift of ourselves to others. That is what human fulfillment is about. It is about love and giving of ourselves on behalf of others. That is the meaning of the Eucharist, it is love taken to the extreme. The more we understand that, the more we will want to be present to the Eucharist and the more the Eucharist will transform us."

"Discipleship is not a solo flight. Jesus sent people out two by two, not one by one, and spoke of the importance of "two or three are gathered in my name." The Eucharist is where we gather as Christ's family, where we can witness our faith to one another and grow in our capacity to love. The Eucharist gives us the strength to carry out our mission to transform the world, to work for justice, to serve the poor, to bring healing and reconciliation. But we can't do these things unless we have the strength that comes from the intimate contact with God's love that is given to us in the Eucharist. Discipleship also requires a plan. We need to ask ourselves what we can do, individually and with our families and friends, to prepare for the Year of the Eucharist. We can find the answer to these questions in times of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. We can read and reflect on the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. We can invite family, friends, and colleagues to join us at Mass and times of Adoration. We can reflect on the importance of receiving the Lord in the Eucharist, the difference that makes in our lives, and share that insight with those who are close to us."

To read the entire letter HERE and to view his video about the Year of the Eucharist HERE.

God bless you and your family this Christmas!
Fr. Bob

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