Parish Leaders Handbook
USCCB
Websites
National Eucharistic Revival website
USCCB
Knights of Columbus Eucharistic Revival website
Nation Nocturnal Adoration Society
Guided Children’s Adoration
Children of the Eucharist
Read and learn
Apps
I AM HERE
The Archdiocese of Detroit and Hallow App are launching the I AM HERE campaign to inspire people to encounter Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and experience His transformational power.
Family Resources
The Treasure With A Face
A Catholic adventure novel for 9-13 year olds or to read out loud to the whole family, “The Treasure With a Face” lets readers experience the adventures of a treasure hunting boy living in ancient Israel who sets out to meet Jesus as part of his plan to find the Ark of the Covenant. Through his journey, readers come to appreciate the fact that they do not have to live halfway around the work 2000 years ago to meet Jesus because He is alive in the Blessed Sacrament.
Available from https://janeenzaio.com/the-treasure-with-a-face/.
Escape Room Event
The Escape with the Ark Challenge is an escape room in which Janeen Zaio immerses young treasure hunters in ancient Israel as they solve clues, find hidden messages, and overcome obstacles in their own search for the Ark of the Covenant. Participants experience an exciting day in the life of Eli, the hero of the adventure book The Treasure With a Face. Find out what’s in the glowworm cave! Try not to end up in the Valley of Gehenna! Use your wits to decide who to ask for directions! Hear legends about Israel’s ultimate treasure! Unlike a traditional escape room, nobody will be locked within the four walls, but the walls of Jerusalem present their own challenge! This FREE event is designed for children ages 7-13, but children ages 5 and up can participate.
To host an escape room at your parish or to book a speaking engagement with Janeen, visit https://janeenzaio.com/kids/.
Videos
Knights of Columbus
Bishop Robert Barron
Faith Prevails: The Miracle of Bolsena || A Eucharistic Miracle Film
Books
Source of Our Healing and Hope — US Bishops Teach on the Mass
This timely and thoughtful book includes reflections on the Eucharistic liturgy by more than twenty Catholic bishops. Written to help Catholics embrace the Eucharist as the “source and summit” of Christian life, Source of Our Healing and Hope spans topics across the breadth and depth of the Church in the 21st century. Each essay will help deepen an understanding of the richness of our faith, especially the urgency of Christian witness and mission.
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
This treasure trove of material from doctrinal, liturgical, and spiritual points of view, incorporates the most recent English translation of the Roman Missal, 3rd Edition. A pastoral aid designed to help Catholics explore and understand the mystery of the Eucharist more fully, this important new collection will help guide the faithful to a deeper understanding and celebration of the source and summit of the Christian life.
Word on Fire
The Holy Hour
The Holy Hour: Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration is a unique collection of hymns, poetry, prayers, and reflections for Adoration from across two thousand years of Catholic tradition. Structured around Bishop Robert Barron’s threefold classification of Real Presence, Holy Sacrifice, and Sacred Meal, readers will explore the Eucharistic hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas, key passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and more. Visit the Word on Fire bookstore.
Timothy P. O’Malley
Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP
My Daily Visitor
Grow closer to Christ in the Eucharist with My Daily Visitor: Eucharist. This handy devotional with 40 reflection themes helps you to pray and reflect on the source and summit of our Catholic Faith. For each entry, aleteia.org editor-in-chief Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, offers a brief reflection on a particular quote from a saint and concludes with a prayer. Reflection themes include the Real Presence, the Virgin Mary, forgiveness of sin, sacrifice, breaking of the bread, the Lamb’s Supper, the new covenant, and more. Perfect for Eucharistic adoration. Offered by OSV books.
Timothy P. O’Malley
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament
Since they were first written in 1745, Visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary has been translated into many languages and read worldwide. This classic translation of St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Visits, a faithful rendition from the original Italian into the American idiom, has now been reprinted in a new larger edition. This new printing offers exactly the same text as the previous edition, but in a larger, more readable, more durable format. It includes St. Alphonsus Liguori’s introductory and concluding prayer, spiritual communion, and his reflection/meditation for each of 31 visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Available in both English and Spanish from Liguori Publications.
Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., D. Theol., S.T.D.
Eucharist: Exploring the Diamond of Our Faith
Father Billy invites readers to delve more deeply into passages on the Eucharist found in the four gospels, Acts, and the letters of Paul and helps individuals and groups to more fully appreciate the tremendous gift of the Eucharist and its meaning in their lives. The book includes questions for reflection and/or discussion. Available from Amazon.
Rev. Dennis Joseph Billy, C.Ss.R., D.Theol., S.T.D. is a Roman Catholic priest of the Redemptorist order (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Latin: Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris C.Ss.R) and has been Professor of the History of Moral Theology and Christian Spirituality at the Accademia Alfonsiana of The Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Karl Rahner Professor of Catholic Theology at the Graduate Theological Foundation and John Cardinal Krol Chair of Moral Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap.
The Eucharist: Our Sanctification
The Eucharist should not be limited to the congregation that gathers to hear the word of God and proclaim its faith. It is, first of all, the active presence of the sacrifice of Christ, who gathers us together and lets us partake of his divine life through his body and blood in Communion.
Christians are always hoping to find helpful ways to contemplate the eucharistic mystery in all its fullness, and this set of meditations by Father Raniero Cantalamessa presented by him in the presence of Pope John Paul II is written in a simple and warm style and nourished by Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers from both the East and the West. These meditations answer the needs of all who hope to experience the radiant and radiating Eucharist that shines into their hearts and into the life of the Church.
Available from Liturgical Press.
Vinny Flynn
21 Ways to Worship
In the inspiring new book, 21 Ways to Worship: A Guide to Eucharistic Devotion, best-selling author, Vinny Flynn, shares his favorite ways to pray in Eucharistic Adoration. Written in the author’s personal, conversational style, complete with puns and other bits of humor, 21 Ways to Worship is an easy to read, practical guide, jam-packed with inspiring ideas, techniques, and prayers to help you make the most of your Holy Hour. It’s a perfect resource for the beginner wondering what Adoration is all about, and for the veteran adorer looking for additional ideas.
Order here.
Mike Aquilina
Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Mike Aquilina not only answers practical questions about this central act of Catholic worship, but also walks you through the Mass, explaining the meaning behind the prayers and practices. Find answer to such questions as:
- What is the Real Presence?
- What are the Jewish roots of the Mass?
- Why is the Mass a sacrifice?
- Why do some people receive Communion on the tongue and others in the hand?
Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki
Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life
Many Catholics believe that far more people would attend Mass if only the homilies were better, or the music was more inspiring, or . . . the list goes on. But best-selling authors Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki are convinced that the real problem lies not in the Mass itself but in a lack of understanding of how the Mass prepares each person to live day in and day out as a baptized Catholic Christian.
In this revised edition of Living the Mass, which takes into account the changes in the new Roman Missal, Grassi and Paprocki thoughtfully explain how each part of the Mass relates to our baptismal call, effectively closing the gap between Sunday Mass and the rest of the week.
Ideal for the countless Catholics who attend Mass simply out of habit, for the many who haven’t been to Mass in a while, or for anyone who desires to join the Catholic Church, Living the Mass compellingly demonstrates how the one hour spent at Mass on Sunday can truly transform how we think and act the other 167 hours of the week.
Available from Loyola Press.
Dr. Brant Pitre
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
In recent years, Christians everywhere are rediscovering the Jewish roots of their faith.
Every year at Easter time, many believers now celebrate Passover meals (known as Seders) seeking to understand exactly what happened at Jesus’ final Passover, the night before he was crucified.
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist shines fresh light on the Last Supper by looking at it through Jewish eyes. Using his in-depth knowledge of the Bible and ancient Judaism, Dr. Brant Pitre answers questions such as: What was the Passover like at the time of Jesus? What were the Jewish hopes for the Messiah? What was Jesus’ purpose in instituting the Eucharist during the feast of Passover? And, most important of all, what did Jesus mean when he said, “This is my body… This is my blood”?
To answer these questions, Pitre explores ancient Jewish beliefs about the Passover of the Messiah, the miraculous Manna from heaven, and the mysterious Bread of the Presence. As he shows, these three keys—the Passover, the Manna, and the Bread of the Presence—have the power to unlock the original meaning of the Eucharistic words of Jesus. Along the way, Pitre also explains how Jesus united the Last Supper to his death on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in “the breaking of the bread.”
Available from Ignatius Press.
Dr. Mary Amore
Eucharist: Pathway to Transformation, Healing and Discipleship” (DVD/Book)
Weaving Scripture, stories and easy-to-understand presentations of Catholic teachings together, this three-part series is designed to invite listeners to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist in three ways: by being interiorly transformed, spiritually healed and renewed in discipleship. Whether you struggle to find a reason to go to Sunday Mass every week or you want to reawaken your love for Jesus in the Eucharist, this powerful one hour with renowned speaker Dr. Mary Amore will lead you to discover new meaning in the Eucharist for your everyday life.
Available from Pauline Books and Media.
Bishop Robert Barron
Eucharist
In this engaging theological treatise, Bishop Robert Barron offers a reintroduction to the ancient meaning and power of the Eucharist. Through a threefold analysis of the Eucharist as sacred meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence—distinct but tightly interwoven motifs grounded in Scripture—Bishop Barron draws readers into the profound truth flowing out of Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “Take, eat; this is my body. . . . Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant.” We are not merely invited to remember Jesus or imitate his moral example; we are invited to the grace of communion—and ultimately, to the realm of God—by eating and drinking the very self that he offers in sacrifice.
Available from Word On Fire.
Ave Maria Press
The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration
A rich array of prayers, devotions, meditations, and Church teachings to read during your quiet time with the Lord, whether you have fifteen minutes or an entire holy hour. The book includes elegant, vintage lithographs and engravings taken from traditional prayer books, psalters, and Bibles and presented in a contemporary design.
Available from Ave Maria Press.
Christopher Carstens
A Devotional Journey into the Mass: How Mass Can Become a Time of Grace, Nourishment, and Devotion
Explaining the spiritual meaning behind the signs and symbols, words and actions of the Mass, author Christopher Carstens teaches you spiritually-enriching ways to enter the church building, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the Opening Prayer, listen to Readings, prepare your soul at the Offertory, participate in the Eucharistic Prayer, receive Communion and even respond to the Dismissal.
Wilfrid Stinissen
Bread That Is Broken
The Holy Eucharist is the Church’s most precious treasure, the source and summit of her worship and life. The Church is built upon and around the Eucharist. In this book, a renowned spiritual writer and Carmelite priest shows how receiving the Lord in the Eucharist has profound consequences, because the Eucharist is not only the great sacrament that brings about oneness with Christ and with the faithful but also the foundational norm for Christian behavior. The author explains that the Church must therefore guard this precious gift. She correctly challenges the faithful to approach the Eucharist with great reverence and a clear conscience so as not to receive the Lord unworthily but to become his sacrificing and serving people.
Available from Ignatius Press.
Mark Hart
Behold the Mystery: A Deeper Understanding of the Catholic Mass
Popular speaker and author Mark Hart helps Catholics see the Mass for what it really is: a heavenly banquet, a wedding feast, in which heaven and earth meet. In his engaging style, Hart guides readers toward a deeper understanding of the Mass, it’s roots in the Jewish Sabbath, its sacrificial character and its signs and symbols. As we are told to go in peace, he inspires us to see the Mass as a place to be nourished so that we can further Christ’s mission in the world. In the last part of the book, Hart provides pithy answers to frequently asked questions, such as, “Why can’t I leave right after Communion?” or “Why did the words change?” Finally, Hart offers 10 things we can do to get more out of Mass.
Dr. Edward Sri
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We say and Do in the Liturgy
Dr. Edward Sri takes us on a unique tour of the liturgy. Base don the revised translation of the Mass, this book explores the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience in the liturgy and explains their profound significance. This intriguing look at the Catholikc Mass is sure to renew your faith and deepen your devotion to the Eucharist.
Victoria Schneider
The Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle: St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia
St. Manuel felt called to the priesthood at the age of 12. After his ordination in 19o1, he was sent to preach at a church that he found to be unclean and abandoned. There, praying before a tabernacle covered in dust and cobwebs, with torn altar cloths and oil dripping onto the floor from the sanctuary lamp, he decided to dedicate his life to providing or Jesus’ needs in the tabernacle. This poor, abandoned tabernacle taught the young priest more about the love of Jesus than his years of theological study. It marked his entire life from that moment. This saintly bishop will help you to receive Holy Communion more fervently and to love Jesus more deeply in Eucharistic Adoration.
Devotionals & Reflections
Mark Hart
The Divine Encounter: Meeting Jesus in Eucharistic Devotion
With busy schedules, carving out time for Adoration can seem daunting, but this latest book from Mark Hart will help you spiritually exhale and give you tools to make the most out of your time with Jesus.
Order from theWordamong us.
Our Sunday Visitor
My Daily Visitor: Eucharist
Join Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, (editor of Our Sunday Visitor) on a journey to the heart of Jesus in the Eucharist. We will spend 40 days pondering this best and most wondrous gift Jesus left us and how it can transform our lives. Sign up here by June 10 to get your first email on Corpus Christi Sunday.
Studies
Bishop Andrew Cozzens/Revive Parishes
The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church
Introducing a new two-hour online course from Revive Parishes presented by Bishop Andrew Cozzens – the perfect companion to break open the new document published by the Bishops! This is a course designed specifically for Catholics who lead ministry roles in parishes: pastors, volunteers, staff members, and catechists. A printable discussion guide is also included for use in small groups. Please see the preview video above.
Available from Revive Parishes.
Dr. Edward Sri/Ascension Press
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
The Mass is nothing short of amazing. Through it, we encounter God in the most intimate way possible as we hear him speak to us in the Liturgy of the Word and as we receive him Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
The words, the gestures, and the rituals of the Mass are rich in meaning. Everything we say and do in the Liturgy is steeped in biblical language. A Biblical Walk Through the Mass explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This fascinating tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
Available from Ascension Press.
Dr. Brant Pitre/Formed
Lectio: Eucharist
Acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching.
“The Lamb of God,” “The Bread of Life,” “The Body and the Blood of Christ”… these are phrases we know from the Mass. But do we understand what they mean in the greater and deeper context of Scripture and Church teaching? We’ll discover firsthand how Christ’s Body and Blood are an integral and wondrous part of God’s plan for our salvation.
Available from Formed.
Formed
Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist
Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its profound role in the life of the Church and her members. It is the crescendo of the entire story of salvation. Also available in Spanish.
Watch the whole series here.
Word on Fire
The Eucharist
This fresh look at the Eucharist brings to light its reality as sacred meal, the sacrifice necessary for communion with God, and the Real Presence of Christ. This video-based study program can be experienced individually or in a group. Groups meet for six 90-minute sessions to explore the Eucharist as sacred meal, which is foreshadowed in many parts of the Old Testament, the once-and-for-all sacrifice that reunited humanity with God, and the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, present through transubstantiation.
Each session includes video viewing and small group discussion of the Study Guide questions. Participants read the commentary in the Study Guide and prepare the questions before the small group discussion. Each section provides “Questions for Understanding” based on the video presentation and references from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, plus the “Questions for Application” that help you reflect on how the material is relevant to your own life and experience.
This preparation can be done either before or after they view the video, as the Commentary in each lesson is very detailed. The Study Guide Commentary was written by Bishop Barron and two Word on Fire staff members, who also hold Masters of Theology degrees, Rozann Lee and Robert Mixa.
The Leader’s Kit provides essential resources for lay discussion leaders, including the DVD, study guide, facilitator guide, answer key, and Bishop Barron’s book, The Eucharist.
Leaders can also register for a free training webinar which teaches the best ways to run an effective Eucharist study group.
More information here.
Liturgical Institute/Formed
Elements of the Catholic Mass
Elements of the Catholic Mass is designed to help the faithful better appreciate the beauty of the Mass. Featuring experts from the Liturgical Institute, the program consists of beautifully produced weekly short videos of 2-5 minutes. These free videos will be available online and on demand. Because they will be released with a discussion guide with references, they are ideal for personal faith formation or group discussion.
Find the series here.
Videos
Purpose, connection, peace—these desires are written on our hearts for a reason. The answer lies at the very center of our faith: the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is a joyful, expectant, grassroots movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States.
