The National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) was hailed as a great success, drawing tens of thousands of Catholics to praise the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. While the enormous celebration of the Catholic faith that took place in Indianapolis came at the end of a 65-day cross-country National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, it was just the start of the Year of Missionary Sending and there’s still much work left to do.
In order to support its efforts in the Year of Missionary Sending, National Eucharistic Congress Inc. – the Catholic non-profit that organized the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the NEC – is launching the Society of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. On the NEC website, the Society is described as a group that “exists to renew the Church in America, helping every Catholic firmly root his or her faith in a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.”
Designed to keep the faithful engaged in the National Eucharistic Revival and gather donations to support its continued mission in the United States, the Society of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is expected to leave a missionary impact for years to come. The organizers wrote on the NEC website:
“We thank God for making the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress such an astounding success. And, trusting in the Holy Spirit, we continue the Revival mission to recenter the life of the Church—including all of our evangelistic and charitable efforts—on Christ in the Eucharist.”
Joining the society requires a minimum monthly donation of $10 to support the Society’s work in the US. Those who join will be given a copy of Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens’ book, For the Life of the World: Invited to Eucharistic Mission, which outlines the four pillars of the life of a Eucharistic missionary: (1) Eucharistic encounter, leading to (2) Eucharistic identity, poured out in (3) a Eucharistic life, all on the way to (4) Eucharistic mission.
In addition, society members will also have full access to the NEC digital platform. There, they can peruse videos of every talk given at the Congress in Indianapolis, as well as a range of Eucharist-related content that will keep users focused on the spirit of the Revival.
In a message from Bishop Cozzens, he explained that the Society was formed in order to strike while the iron was still hot. He hailed the tremendous reach of the National Eucharistic Revival so far: The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands over the course of the four pilgrimage routes, the NEC saw more than 50,000 gather in Indianapolis, more than 8,000 Eucharistic Revival parish initiatives are active, and thousands of Eucharistic Missionaries are engaging in the Year of Missionary Sending.
Still, the bishop noted that “there is more to be done,” and he encouraged the faithful to consider joining the Society of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus:
“Your kindness and confidence in this fledgling effort are a powerful sign of Our Lord’s providence and of his huge ambitions for continued Revival through the work of the National Eucharistic Congress apostolate.” Bishop Cozzens continued: “Thank you. As we turn a new page for the Catholic Church in the United States, may our Eucharistic Lord bless you, your families, and our shared efforts to bring Christ to every corner of our nation!”
Learn more about the Society of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus at the website of the National Eucharistic Congress and consider joining today.
