As the Eucharistic Revival continues to move through the Diocese of Gary this summer, Catholics have opportunities to renew their faith and draw closer to Jesus in a few special ways. These include the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition, adoration chapels and parish small group sessions.
The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition will be displayed in select parishes throughout the diocese. This traveling photo exhibit showcases the unique work of English-born Italian Catholic Carlo Acutis, who used his web page design and computer skills to share his deep devotion to the Eucharist, cataloging the miracles and Marian apparitions that are recognized by the Catholic Church and presenting them to the younger generation, adolescents like himself.
“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” These words, credited to Acutis, who died of leukemia at age 15, inspire a renewed devotion to the Eucharistic Lord. Blessed Carlo Acutis received beatification on Oct. 10, 2020.
On May 23, 2024, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle attributed to the teenage millennial, which moves his cause for canonization forward. Blessed Carlo Acutis is expected to be named a saint sometime in 2025.
The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition will be available for viewing at Holy Spirit in Winfield on Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. The following Saturday at 4 p.m., it will appear at St. Mary in Kouts. The exhibition will visit St. Paul in Valparaiso on June 24 at noon, and travel to St. Matthias in Crown Point on July 13 at 4 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration
God calls his people to come to Him, and sitting before the Blessed Sacrament is an opportunity many parishes make available to the faithful. In addition to being present with Jesus, Eucharistic adoration invites the Holy Spirit to give breath to inner peace and contentment, inviting God to grant extra graces and blessings and strengthening a spiritual response in our lives and families.
Among locations within the Diocese of Gary, two parishes offer perpetual adoration inside their log cabin chapels. St. Patrick in Chesterton and St. John the Evangelist in St. John provide a quiet setting for worship, contemplation and adoration 24/7. (Note: For safety reasons, appointments may need to be scheduled with the parish offices.)
Lisa Curley, hospitality and pre-evangelization coordinator, feels it’s a blessing to have the adoration chapels within the diocese. She said they provide an opportunity for the faithful to take a moment and be with Jesus in a space in which they are not accustomed.
“Adoration is more than only prayer; adoration is a moment alone with Christ,” she said. “Giving all the faithful the chance to spend a moment to spend in front of the Monstrance (God Himself) and pray, meditate, say a rosary, whatever is on their heart, is a wonderful way to remind all of us of what is so important of one Catholic (Universal) Family.”
Ministry Team Administrative Assistant Mayela Garza is helping to plan a Eucharistic Adoration Passport Pilgrimage from Aug. 1–Sept. 30. To help inspire a deep love and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, she explained, many parishes will be offering additional Eucharistic Exposition and adoration times. “Passport” books will be given to pilgrims so they can track their journey during these two months. At the end of this Adoration journey, participants will receive a token from the organizers.
“Jesus is reaching out to us at every moment,” said Garza. “Sometimes we don’t see Him, we see our problems and our hurts. We love when people show how much we mean to them. Jesus desires the same thing… to show our love for Him and how much we need Him. Adoration is as simple as being in the presence of Him who loves perfectly. Sitting there and talking to Him as a beloved friend will warm our hearts and move the mountains in our lives that need to be moved. Jesus desires you!”
Small Group Series: “Jesus and the Eucharist”
The Diocese of Gary is also encouraging the use of “Jesus and the Eucharist” within its parishes during the summer. The dynamic, seven-session study is designed to help Catholics connect with their fellow parishioners while falling deeper in love with the Eucharistic Lord. It is produced by the National Eucharistic Revival Team together with the Augustine Institute.
The series features an impressive array of Catholic voices. Each session opens with an exhortation from a different bishop, includes teaching from prominent theologians and influential figures in the Church today, and highlights personal testimonies from everyday Catholics who have experienced the transformative power of Eucharistic love in their own lives.
“It’s a study on the Holy Eucharist, what we believe and why we believe what we believe,” said Sean Martin, catechesis and faith formation coordinator. “We will be encouraging those who have attended the Eucharistic Congress to begin a small group study on the Eucharist in their parishes to further implement the Eucharistic Revival and to touch more hearts and minds of the faithful.”
Look for updates of the summer of revival happenings online at dcgary.org/2024Revival.