The Archdiocese of Seattle is in the midst of a special Year of the Eucharist, which began on June 21, 2020, and will conclude on June 6, 2021. It is a time for all of us to reflect on the meaning and importance of the Eucharist and to go deeper into this great prayer. The long Eucharistic “fast” many of us has experienced during the pandemic is also an opportunity, a rare chance to step away from routine and habit, and to contemplate afresh the mystery that forms and feeds the Church. “I know the timing of this dedicated period to enhance our liturgical life is not optimal,” Archbishop Etienne has written, “as the coronavirus will more than likely continue to interrupt our ability to gather regularly to celebrate the Eucharist. Nevertheless… let us trust in God’s Providence that by his grace we will benefit from our renewed prayer and study of the Eucharist.”
 
Here are some resources to help you explore the Eucharist during this Year of the Eucharist. More will be added throughout the year!

• Read an introduction to the Year of the Eucharist from our parish journal, In Your Midst
• Read Archbishop Etienne’s Pastoral Letter, The Work of Redemption: Eucharistic Belief and Practice in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  http://nwcatholic.org/features/nw-stories/the-work-of-redemption.html
• Read (or watch) Archbishop’s homily at the beginning of the Year of the Eucharist. http://www.nwcatholic.org/news/local/year-of-the-eucharist-begins-in-archdiocese-of-seattle.html
• Explore the Mass in a series of essays by Corinna Laughlin, Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy. https://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Events/2020/spiritoftheliturgy.aspx
• Read the readings of the day at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. http://www.usccb.org/
• Explore resources on the Mass at the USCCB website: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/index.cfm

Recommended reading on the Mass:

• What Happens at Mass, Revised Edition by Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, OSB. This readable book by Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, OSB of Mount Angel Abbey is both a walk through the Eucharistic liturgy and a deep dive into the very event of our salvation—which is exactly what happens when we celebrate the Mass. https://ltp.org/products/details/ATMASS2/what-happens-at-mass-revised-edition
• Liturgy: The Source and Summit of Our Christian Life by Corinna Laughlin. This short book is an introduction to the liturgy, exploring the fourfold presence of Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist, and fostering a truly liturgical spirituality. Includes questions for study and reflection. https://ltp.org/products/details/ELSS/liturgy
• The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of Mass by Lawrence J. Johnson. This book is a great resource for parish liturgy committees to go deeper into the meaning, history, and development of each part of the Mass. https://fdlc.org/publications/44510
• The Eucharist in Scripture by Clifford M. Yeary. This study guide from the longtime editor of Little Rock Scripture Study leads individuals or groups on a study of meals in the Bible, culminating in the Last Supper in the New Testament. https://litpress.org/Products/6515/The-Eucharist-in-Scripture

Prayer for the Year of the Eucharist
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
the Eucharist is your gift to us.
As we celebrate your mysteries,
the very work of our redemption is accomplished,
and we are filled with every grace and blessing.
May the liturgy become the pattern of our lives.
May our celebrations of this great mystery
draw us ever closer to you and to one another.
Strengthen the bonds of unity in our local Church,
that our love for one another may be evident
and we may proclaim your Gospel more effectively.
May the Eucharist bear fruit in our lives,
and deepen our commitment
to serve the poor and vulnerable in your name.
You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
 
How holy this feast in which Christ is our food;
his passion is recalled;
grace fills our hearts;
and we receive a pledge of the glory to come, alleluia.
(Antiphon for Corpus Christi, attr. St. Thomas Aquinas)