Several years ago, I was redesigning my First Communion retreat to make it more experiential, especially the portion where I have the parents by themselves for a few moments while the children are participating in another activity. I was contemplating how I could not only teach the parents about, but also allow them to experience the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, so that they could pass that gift on to their children. […]
As we journey through the National Eucharistic Revival, let’s look at the parts of the Mass to reflect on what each part of the Mass is calling us to do and be the other six days of the week. In this episode, we look at the Introductory Rites, which include the opening procession, the greeting by the priest, and the Penitential Act. We consider how these elements of the Mass call us to move from […]
Deepen your understanding of the Eucharist through using our Eucharist Quotes Journal. The journal features quotes by Pope Francis, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, and spiritual authors including Fr. Dominic Grassi, Joe Paprocki, and Julianne Stanz, each chosen to inspire reflection on the Mystery of the Eucharist. This journal is perfect for use as a Mass journal, a faith formation activity for older students and adults, or a tool for reflection during Adoration. Invite parishioners to […]
We continue our reflections on the Luminous Mysteries. Today, we focus on the fifth and final Mystery of Light, which is the Institution of the Eucharist. In this mystery, we recall how Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, sharing bread and wine with them and establishing the Sacrament of the Eucharist. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and […]
Introduce young people to the Divine Praises with our fun activities pack. Create a mobile, solve a word scramble, and do a word search featuring words related to the Divine Praises. The Divine Praises are traditionally prayed after Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. They are a wonderful prayer to learn during the National Eucharistic Revival. Extend the activity by researching the origin of the Divine Praises and how several popes added to them. […]
The National Eucharistic Revival, taking place now through 2025, presents us with an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist and to foster full, active, and conscious participation in the Mass. With that in mind, I am excited to announce that I will be doing a webinar with Fr. Dominic Grassi based on our book, Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life. Living the Mass: […]
Enhance children’s understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass in a fun way by playing Mass Bingo. Play as a way to involve children in the Eucharistic Revival, either in sacramental preparation classes or as a review in faith formation sessions across grade levels. Pair a game of Bingo with reading Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt in a family session or First Eucharist retreat day. For more resources on preparation for First Eucharist, see […]
Researchers tell us that the majority of us experience regular cravings for specific foods. It’s important to remember, however, that hunger and cravings are not synonymous. The former is driven by the body, while the latter is driven by the mind. Hunger seeks to satisfy a physical need; a craving seeks to satisfy an emotional one. That’s why cravings are not limited to food. We can find ourselves craving any and all of the following: […]
Young people who are first being exposed to Eucharistic Adoration may wonder what to do during the silent time spent in front of the Most Holy Sacrament. Encourage them to have a conversation with Jesus with our downloadable Eucharistic Adoration Cards as a guide. The cards include prompts for conversation with Jesus, such as, “Tell Jesus what you are most excited about,” or, “Ask Jesus for the help you need in the days to come.” […]
The Eucharistic Revival is a great opportunity for catechesis on the Eucharist, and one approach is to help families see the Eucharist as part of God’s plan. Too often, we Catholics receive our sacraments without a deeper understanding of how they connect with the overall narrative of salvation history: how God, throughout history, has continually rescued, restored, and reassured his people. Without this understanding, we run the risk of approaching the sacraments as something that […]
