Despite a summer that gave testament to poet Robert Burns’ words: “The best laid plans of mice and men oft’ go awry” – I had a rewarding summer experience.
It started by attending the episcopal ordination and installation of my seminary classmate, Bishop John J. McDermott, in Burlington, Vermont. The three days I was there offered an opportunity not only to concelebrate the Mass, but also to reconnect with other classmates. There was also time to relax and to walk along the shore of Lake Champlain.
From there, I flew to Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, the pinnacle of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival. Arriving early, I participated in a day of reflection and prayer for bishops that was devoted to Eucharistic adoration and evangelization.
With the day of recollection as a prelude, I was spiritually well prepared to join the thousands of Catholics at an event designed to rekindle fervor, faith and belief in the reality that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I was inspired by the immense outpouring of faith and authentic devotion of the pilgrims. One can’t help but be encouraged by seeing a stadium full of people gathered for such a public display of faith.
When we see this enthusiasm, this outpouring of faith and devotion, we might wonder, “Why are we so concerned about a lack of belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Look at this crowd!” Yet, the 60,000 people in Lucas Oil Stadium were only 0.1% – a small portion, some might call a remnant – of the 60 million Catholics in the United States.
Scripture, however, reminds us that God has asked a remnant to revitalize and renew the faith at times when the fervor had weakened and people had drifted away, when they had given in to selfish behaviors or shown a lack of faithfulness.
As St. Paul notes, “At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5). While it is disheartening that recent surveys indicate two-thirds of U.S. Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, I was – and am – encouraged by so many who do have a deep faith in the Eucharist.
The remnant of our Church is not made up only of those who were able to participate in the congress – they are all the faithful whose energy, zeal and spirit are giving life to the Church.
Because of the abundant fervor and inspiration that is flowing from the Eucharistic Revival, I am optimistic about what it means for the future of the Church. Whenever I visit our parishes, I see how the faith is manifested through Mass attendance, reception of the sacraments, Eucharistic devotion, works of charity and a commitment to grow closer to Christ. This is God working through the remnant right here in our diocese.
Regarding the best laid plans – following the Eucharistic Congress, I had planned to fly to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to go fishing with my brother. However, on the last full day of the congress, I woke up with a sore throat, cough, fever, etc. I tested positive for COVID. Not wanting to spread it in Indianapolis and Michigan, I made the nine-hour drive back to Richmond, where I spent the following few days recovering at home.
Although my summer plans didn’t quite come to fruition, I did experience the best of those best laid plans.
I am grateful for the spiritual renewal I experienced in Indianapolis, and for being among Catholics, both at the congress and here at home, who are inspiring a deeper faith in all of us. Their immersion in Eucharistic devotion is – and will continue to be – a source of evangelizing our Catholic communities, bringing people closer to Jesus Christ.