The document explains the importance of Communion, often calling it a gift, and uses references from Scripture, prayers of the Church and Second Vatican Council documents to back this up. It also explains, citing words of the saints, how Communion is not just a symbol but the real presence of Christ.
Communion statement aims to ‘retrieve and revive’ understanding
Greg Erlandson: The miracle we share at every Mass
The U.S. bishops’ draft document on the Eucharist contains many moving quotes and passages that all of us could benefit from contemplating every time we go to Mass.
Bishops’ focus on Communion crisis highlights bigger issue, theologians say
One Catholic theologian said the current discussion about Communion is one that could provide a way for Catholics to renew their understanding of the sacrament not just to benefit their own faith — but to help the Church community at large.
Eucharistic revival could ‘move needle’ on understanding of Real Presence
A 2019 Pew Research Center study showed that 69% of all self-identified U.S. Catholics said they believed the bread and wine used at Mass are not Jesus, but instead are “symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” The other 31% said they believed in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Altar bread-baking sister hopes Communion discussion prompts understanding
As Sister Anne sees it, discussion about the Real Presence is a way for God to work because it shows how “Catholics need to be awakened to the understanding —more than head knowledge” of what they are receiving in the Eucharist.
Initiatives on Eucharist aim to give Catholics better understanding
Two U.S. bishops spoke recently on a recorded video roundtable produced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to further explain just what the bishops hope to achieve through the upcoming revival and document on the Eucharist.
Eucharistic revival is key to church’s future, says USCCB president
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ planned multiyear eucharistic revival project will help the church address several of the challenges facing it, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said in an Oct. 5 address to the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference’s annual meeting.
Bishops to continue discussion of Catholics and Eucharist in fall meeting
When the U.S. bishops meet this fall for their annual assembly, they will revisit the discussion they began in mid-June about the Eucharist and will be presented with a drafted document on the “meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the church.”