Shawnee parish stage of Eucharistic Revival on Solemnity of Corpus Christi

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee was celebrated this year by giving a prayerful startup to the parish Eucharistic Revival as recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

During the upcoming year (June 11, 2023 – July 17, 2024) parishes in the United States are advised to reinvigorate the devotion to the Eucharist through an active engagement of the faithful in discussions, community events and celebrations of the Holy Mass. The purpose is to lead the communities of believers and each individual parishioner to a deeper encounter with the Lord by receiving Christ’s abundant graces from his Eucharistic sacred mystery.

Father Joseph Schwarz celebrated Mass, which was followed by the procession with the Blessed Sacrament and benediction. 

Walking in the Eucharistic procession, with songs of adoration to Christ hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, numerous parishioners shared their appreciation for this experience, and the realization that Christ always walks ahead and leads his sheep in safety. 

During his homily, Father Schwarz portrayed the extraordinary beauty of the Eucharistic mystery highlighting that the Eucharist is ‘the’ way God chose to come to his people and draw everyone to himself.

“We should be looking forward to the Eucharist to love Christ in the way he himself destined for us,” Father Schwarz said. 

He explained that the Eucharist is the summit, the mountaintop experience, during which God offers all graces needed to live earthly life as a Christian in union with him as well as graces for eternal life. 

“If we had a real appreciation of the miracle happening during each Holy Eucharist, we wouldn’t miss one single Mass,” Father Schwarz said. 

Father Schwarz encouraged the parishioners to open their hearts to Christ in the Eucharist, to cherish him, honor him and love him unreservedly. 

The Mass, procession and benediction were succeeded by a community activity guided by Father Schwarz and geared toward a deeper understanding and meditation on the Eucharist. Everyone was invited to contribute their thoughts about the personal meaning of the Eucharist by answering the leading question posted on writing boards in the parish hall: “What does the Eucharist mean to my life?”

Various responses reflecting parishioners’ deep spiritual devotion and attachment to the Eucharistic Christ filled the writing space quickly. The following reflections were posted: “Real soul food;” “New life every day;” “I feel wrapped in God’s love when I receive Jesus’ body and blood;” “Hope for eternal life;” “Greatest love and healing;” “Hope for eternal life;” “… makes the flame burn bright;” “Words don’t suffice …” and many other longer and elaborate testimonies.

This activity initiated many spontaneous spiritual discussions among parishioners, both adult and youth, who joyfully gathered to share and exchange with one another their personal encounters with Jesus in the Eucharist, but also to admit that they don’t always give it enough thought. 

“The Eucharist is vital to my life. It deepens, renews and strengthens my faith. It brings me great peace, while for things I’m struggling with it gives me hope and encouragement,” Gaynell Anderson said.

Speaking about her personal witness to Christ in her daily life, and her desire to share the Eucharistic Christ with others in the world, Anderson continued to say, “I am a physician and I always ask Jesus that he allows me to be his hands and feet, and his touch so that I can help with his healing work in my profession through his presence within me.”

Another aspect of devotion to the Eucharist was emphasized by Tara Turner who said, “When I participate in the Holy Mass, look at the Blessed Sacrament and meditate on the Eucharist, I always think of Jesus’ passion and how he felt in the garden Gethsemane – alone and forsaken. I try to unite my sorrows with his sorrows.”

For this year of parish Eucharistic Revival ahead, the final prayer of Father Schwarz can serve as a motto and a continual reminder to the faithful to keep their eyes focused on the Eucharist, “Let us pray that we can come to Christ with all humility and that the spiritual change we experience through the Eucharist may be brought to perfection in him. May we know his presence and live his presence each day in our lives.”

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic.