March of the Eucharist at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Andover

In 1951, the first Bishop of Youngstown, James McFadden, compiled a book that included every diocesan parish at that time, titled The March of the Eucharist. Today, the bishops of the United States have called every diocese to join in a three-year Eucharistic Revival, and within the Diocese of Youngstown we are looking to our early days of faith to deepen our devotion to the Eucharist. As such, our them for the revival is “The March of the Eucharist Continues.”

In addition to receiving the Eucharist at Mass, we also need to enter into a greater spirit of prayer, bringing ourselves before the Blessed Sacrament-not only voicing our prayer, but listening for God’s voice in prayerful silence. The diocese has compiled a “March of the Eucharist” Adoration schedule for the Lenten season, to assist the faithful in hearing God’s voice. May we all enter this Lenten journey more focused on the true presence of Christ in our lives. Many additional parishes are having Adoration, and many of the parishes are offering additional dates and times, beyond what is listen in the calendar. Find more on the March of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Youngstown at doy.org/eucharisticrevival

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“It is good to adore in silence before the Most Blessed Sacrament, to be in the consoling presence of Jesus and there to draw the apostolic impetus to be instruments of goodness, tenderness and welcome in the community, the Church, and the world.”

Pope Francis – October 2022

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Jesus Christ is with us, and He will bring us through all obstacles and crosses.

How is he present to us?  The source and summit of our faith, our foundation, and are unity as Catholics is in the Holy Eucharist.  When we come together at Mass, we receive God made man, so that we might become like God, as St. Athanasius said.  

One of the aims of this Eucharistic Revival is to invite people to experience in a whole new way, the reality of Jesus in their lives.  This reality can only be fully realized by having a relationship with Jesus. 

Wherever we are in our faith journey, whatever background in our relationship with Christ, it is never too late to learn more and to grow in our understanding and appreciation in the power of the Sacraments of the Church.  We believe as Catholics, that in the Eucharist dwells the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.  What a tremendous gift we all share, that we can receive the real presence of Christ at every Mass.  Now is the time to become closer to Jesus!

Fr. Ryan Furlong’s reflection on the Eucharist, August 2023