While most Catholics probably couldn't explain the theology behind the Eucharist, by giving public witness to the holiness of the sacrament, families can deepen their appreciation for the great gift Jesus gives, Sr. Nickel said.
“I don't think my mom could have explained the theology of transubstantiation to me, but we were at Mass every Sunday,” Sr. Nickel said. “We're drawn (to the Lord at Mass), even if we might not be able to articulate it. I pray the Eucharistic revival will help us understand why we're drawn."
The U.S. bishops' National Eucharistic Revival will be broken into three parts: a Diocesan Year of Eucharistic Revival from June 2022 to June 2023, a Parish Year of Eucharistic Revival from June 2023 to June 2024, and in July 2024, a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Ind.
During the diocesan phase, De La Torre said the Archdiocese of Detroit will seek to strengthen and empower Families of Parishes to establish their own Eucharistic devotions, whether 40-hour devotions or perpetual adoration.
The second year will involve more formation training workshops, Eucharistic conferences and other sessions geared toward evangelization, doctrinal formation, liturgy, and apologetics with the aim of bringing people together for prayer. Ultimately, the archdiocese wants to encourage parishes to foster creativity and enthusiasm in promoting Eucharistic devotion, De La Torre said.
"A lot of it will be a focus on the family itself," De La Torre said. "That’s the key for us, focusing on the role of the mother, the role of the father, and the role of the caregiver, and instituting a hands-on approach to delivering the Catholic faith to their children and making sure they really understand the fruits of the Church and that they know who Jesus Christ is."
De La Torre believes it isn't a coincidence that the Eucharistic revival is taking place during the archdiocese's Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations, which Archbishop Vigneron will inaugurate with a holy hour June 4 in response to a shortage of priests in the archdiocese and across the United States.
The body and blood of the Lord are intimately tied to the priesthood, De la Torre said.
"This beautiful procession brings a spotlight to the role of the priesthood, and with the archbishop leading the procession, with our auxiliary bishops assisting, with our priests assisting throughout the route, they are a band of brothers," De La Torre said. "That's something a young man can see — this isn't just an isolated event where men come together and just disperse. No, this is a band of brothers brought together to serve the Lord and to proclaim Jesus Christ."
But it's not just priests who can find strength in the Eucharist, De La Torre added. All of the faithful can bring their sufferings, worries and oppressions to the Lord.
“I would encourage people to look at the Eucharistic procession as an opportunity to break free from those chains, from those bonds that are holding you back," De La Torre said, "to really allow the Lord to embrace you."
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This article was first published May 16 at the Detroit Catholic, and is reprinted at Catholic News Agency with permission.