Dr. Tim O’Malley is a Catholic theologian, author and teacher. He is also the director of education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. The author of seven books, his articles have appeared in America magazine, Our Sunday Visitor, Religion News Service and Angelus magazine.
Q. Tell us a little about your new book — what inspired you to write it and if/how it expands on your last book, which will be referenced on April 12?
It’s titled “Behold, Believe, Become: Meeting the Hidden Christ in Things We See, Say, and Do at Mass,” and being published by Ave Maria Press on May 31. The book is based around what I learned from Romano Guardini about the crisis in worship today in the Church. We’re not just talking about a crisis in belief but a crisis in abiding. How do we live in the world? How do we contemplate the gift of the cosmos?
The “stuff” of the Mass, therefore, invites us into an alternative way of being human. Not just using stuff to get what we want. But behold with wonder the rising of the sun, the bread and wine used at Mass and even our procession and recession from the eucharistic liturgy. The Father made the world through the Son and the Spirit in such a way that we are invited to contemplate the created world as intended for worship. A eucharistic revival requires a renewed relationship to this world, as well as the eucharistic Lord.
Q. What are you most looking forward to when you come to Minnesota?
I look forward to being with the people of the Diocese of St. Cloud. I look forward to seeing dear friends from Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s. I look forward to praying with the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. I look forward to cheese curds and a visit to the Pickled Loon. I also can’t wait to see Bishop Patrick Neary, who I have known since 2000 (well before he was your ordinary).
Q. What is at the heart of the message you’ll be sharing with the people of St. Cloud?
You are a eucharistic people! You are temples of the Holy Spirit made to consecrate the whole world back to the Father through the Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit. In your family. At your job. In politics. In agriculture. In hunting and friendship and hiking. God wants it all: Lift up your hearts to the Lord.
Q. Why should people come to the formation day?
You can’t become a eucharistic people in the abstract. Just like you can’t love in the abstract. It’s easy to love humankind. It’s hard to love this person or that person. Our task is to come together. To manifest our love of Christ to the world. To become what we receive in the Eucharist.
IF YOU GO:
What: Becoming Eucharistic People
Where: Seven Dolors Church, Albany
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12 (Mass with Bishop Neary, keynote and breakout sessions)
Cost: $10
To register: Scan code or visit https:// stcdio.org/eucharistic-revival/
NOTE: Due to family health issues, Dr. O’Malley couldn’t present last September for the diocese’s Becoming Eucharist event. It’s now scheduled for April 12 at Seven Dolors Church in Albany. This day of formation is open to everyone. The Central Minnesota Catholic has updated our interview with him, originally published in the August 2023 edition.