Challenge to all legates: ‘waste’ time with Jesus

A revival is underway.
 
A revival of a culture in desperate need of realignment. A revival that will spark conversions, inspire vocations, and save souls. A revival sure to shift the trajectory of the Catholic Church in the United States and the world. It’s a revival of the Eucharist!

Jesus Christ invites you to return to the source and summit of our faith: His Real Presence in the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival, an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery.
 
Therefore, as I’ve challenged the presidents, chaplains, and chapter administrators in the Great Lakes Region, I write now to all legates with a simple question: How will you respond? How will you incorporate eucharistic adoration into your rhythm of life and into your chapters?
 
As I’ve prayed on how we as an international organization can best serve our members, the answer I continue to receive is to encourage each of you to direct your gaze toward Our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. Only in Him and through Him will we find ways to strengthen our chapters, families, and dioceses, and the communities we serve.

Maybe before your next major announcement to employees you’ll heed Fulton Sheen’s example; “All my sermons are prepared in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. As recreation is most pleasant and profitable in the sun, so homiletic creativity is best nourished before the Eucharist. The Holy Spirit that presided at the Incarnation is the best atmosphere for illumination.”
 
Or perhaps in advance of the next difficult conversation with your children you’ll first take them to adoration following Pope St. John Paul II’s advice: “I urge priests, religious, and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of eucharistic adoration and devotion. How will young people be able to know the Lord if they are not introduced to the mystery of His presence?”
 
As Fr. John Riccardo would often tell my RCIA class, “Waste time with Jesus in adoration. You only waste time with those you care most about, and it is during such times you truly get to know them.”
 
It is hard to be still and silent, to “justify” the time. Many may struggle because the offered hours of adoration are inconvenient, or there are no opportunities near you.
 
To this, I have a proposition. Can adoration be incorporated into your monthly Legatus chapter events?
 
Pray on this. Discuss it with your chapter. It isn’t an edict, it’s an invitation. A proposed timeline is below. Sure, not all members will attend; but, if it is anything like the turnout we’ve seen in those chapters who have embraced it in the Great Lakes Region, I’m confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you build it, they will come.

My proposed timeline: 
5 p.m.: Eucharistic adoration
5:15 p.m.: Confessions begin
5:40 p.m.: Rosary 
5:55 p.m.: Closing Benediction prayers 
6 p.m.: Mass
 
For those active in a forum, do you start your next meeting by spending time in adoration together?

Consider St. Teresa of Calcutta’s words as you discern: “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth.”
 
You were born to be alive at this exact moment in history. You’ve been blessed with an incredible opportunity, given your position and influence. How will you respond?

NATE WINE is vice president for Legatus’ Great Lakes Region. To learn about The National Eucharistic Revival, visit eucharisticrevival.org. To learn more about the power of the Eucharist, check out The Manual for Eucharistic Adoration, published by TAN Books.