U.S. Bishops Approve the Writing of a Document on the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church

Bishop Gregory Parkes welcomes the idea to enhance teaching on the Eucharist, especially given that the role of a bishop is to teach the faith. Also, the U.S. Bishops have embarked on a multiyear National Eucharistic Revival initiative titled, “Created Anew by the Body and Blood of Christ: Source of Our Healing and Hope.”

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Statement of Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 21, 2021 (Also in Spanish)

“Last week, my brother bishops and I voted overwhelmingly to issue a teaching document on the beauty and power of the Eucharist. The doctrine committee of the bishops’ conference will now begin drafting this document and, in the months ahead, the bishops will continue our prayer and discernment through a series of regional meetings and consultations. In November, the bishops will gather to discuss the document draft.

“The Eucharist is the heart of the Church and the heart of our lives as Catholics. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ himself draws near to each one of us personally and gathers us together as one family of God and one Body of Christ.

“As bishops, our desire is to deepen our people’s awareness of this great mystery of faith, and to awaken their amazement at this divine gift, in which we have communion with the living God. That is our pastoral purpose in writing this document.

“I invite everyone in the Church to pray for the bishops as we continue our dialogues and reflections. I pray that this will be a time for all of us in the Church to reflect on our own faith and readiness to receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.”

Additional Resources:

Article: ‘There’s a great need to better understand Eucharist’s centrality’

Questions and Answers on the U.S. Bishops’ Vote to Draft a Document on the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church: English & Spanish

Remember, in order to receive the Eucharist at Mass, you must have confessed any mortal sins you’ve committed (read Catechism of the Catholic Church here). Check out How To Go To Confession for more information.