The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It began on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) which was observed on the weekend of June 18-19, 2022. During the first year, efforts are focused on the diocesan level — this may include diocesan-wide events, acts of service, days of prayer and healing, study groups, pilgrimages and outreach to those who are un- or under-served. All of these activities will culminate with a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in 2023 right here in our diocese.
In the second year, Area Catholic Communities will take the spotlight. ACCs and parishes will be encouraged to have days of prayer, study, devotion, outreach and their own ACC eucharistic congresses. At the diocesan congress, people will be given the tools to host these events and welcome people in their areas to attend, reaching out beyond parish walls and into the community.
At the end of the second year, the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in almost 50 years will happen in July 2024. Organizers envision 100,000 Catholics will join together in Indianapolis for this pilgrimage. The St. Cloud Diocese plans to send a delegation, with the hope that each of its 29 ACCs will be represented.
“The Eucharistic Revival is not only important for our Church, but really for the whole world,” said Father Derek Wiechmann, local co-chair for the Eucharistic Revival. “From the cross, Jesus spoke the words, ‘I thirst.’ He said this in reference to his deep longing for all to know him and live in friendship with him. Jesus longs to live in our hearts! This is why the revival is important; we need to tell the world of his love.”