Eucharistic Revival conference inspires and informs

On Dec. 3, more than 275 volunteers, ministry leaders and catechists attended a Eucharistic Revival conference at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman. The conference began with Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Coakley, and was followed by a keynote speech by Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary in North Dakota. 

The conference was organized by Father Zak Boazman, parochial vicar for Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City and the diocesan coordinator for the National Eucharistic Revival, with the goal of detailing the parish phase of the Eucharistic Revival – one year of the three-year process dedicated to bolstering faith of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. 

Parishes across the archdiocese were encouraged to send delegations, or groups, of ministry leaders and volunteers in order to learn more about the “why” and “how” of the parish phase. Topics discussed included planning a Eucharistic procession in the parish, growing opportunities and availability of adoration and how to incorporate devotion to the Eucharist into other ministries like youth ministry or scripture studies. 

The keynote speech by Monsignor Shea highlighted why the Eucharistic Revival in the United States is necessary, the importance of devotion to, and reverence for, the Eucharist and how modern sensibilities can affect belief in the invisible realities of the Eucharist.

“God is here, but we do not know it,” Monsignor Shea said to open his talk. “We as Catholics mingle so closely to the things of God, especially in the sacrament of the Eucharist, and yet there is a danger in that because we can become overly familiar with the mysteries we draw near to, such that the extraordinary becomes the ordinary.”

One of the goals Monsignor Shea expressed for his talk was to awaken and renew a sense of wonder and awe in the attendees of the conference so that they could return to their parishes able to work toward Eucharistic revival. “Out of love for us he restrains his splendor and his might,” exclaimed Monsignor Shea. “What the universe could not contain is contained in this tiny host. But if there were so much as just a crack in his merciful restraint, the heavens would be torn open, and the world would go up in flames.”

After a standing ovation for Monsignor Shea, Father Alex Kroll, parochial vicar for Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, was called forward to give an invitation and explanation for an initiative called the “40 Hours Devotion.” This devotion will be encouraged by the archdiocese in March of 2023, as parishes discern their participation in the parish phase of the revival. 

The 40 Hours Devotion is a 40-hour period of adoration of the Eucharist, either all at once or broken into smaller timeslots. The number 40 has numerous biblical and historical implications and is traditionally believed to be the number of hours Christ spend in the tomb after his crucifixion and death. 

The attendees also spent time together in adoration before and during their working lunch, where they brainstormed ways their parishes could promote Eucharistic devotion. 

“It starts with us,” said Michelle Rodriguez-Pico, a parishioner at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman. “Then we have to decide how we are going to transmit that belief in the Eucharist to others.”

“My hope is that, at least, those who attended today will see that this is all necessary,” Rodriguez-Pico said. “We are living in a different era. The Eucharist cannot be something we just want; it has to be something we need in order to fully live our faith.”

Following lunch and benediction, a panel discussion was hosted with Father John Herrera, parochial vicar for Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Churches in Enid, Father Zak Boazman and Janis Mollman, a volunteer and catechist from Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Father Boazman spoke about the logistics of planning a parish Eucharistic procession, Father Herrera spoke about how to implement and increase adoration and Janis Mollman spoke about weaving devotion to the Eucharist into other ministries of the parish. 

The panel also participated in a question-and-answer session with the audience about aspects of the parish phase of the revival. 

Throughout the day, resources and materials were available for viewing and purchase through the Secretariat for Divine Worship of the archdiocese. All the conference was translated into Spanish live for Spanish-speaking attendees via an in-ear broadcast system. 

To learn more about the National Eucharistic Revival, visit eucharisticrevival.org. To learn more about the Eucharistic Revival in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, or to find resources, visit archokc.org/revival.

Avery Holt is the interim director of communications.


Photo: Archbishop Coakley celebrated Mass Dec. 3 during the Eucharistic Revival conference at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.