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Believe the American Bishops have just started a three year campaign to revitalize belief in the Holy Eucharist, culminating in a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 24.

Stunning the lack of understanding (poor catechesis) of the Holy Eucharist in the United States, only about 30% believe in the Real Presence.

Surprising to me so few priests in homilies pound home the truth that in the Eucharist the Lord is truly with us. Churches, at least adoration chapels, would be busy day and night if the faithful truly understood the Eucharist. Preach it in a so-called selfish way to the faithful at first: These are the benefits you can get in this world and the next from Eucharist adoration and reception of Holy Communion.

There’s a huge, successful Christian church in Louisville that is 60-70% lapsed Catholics. What a tragedy! Yes, a lot of them want to embrace a fundamental option, presumptuous, I’m saved! attitude because of moral problems and the struggles involved with living the moral life - but they don’t understand they’re abandoning an Unfathomable treasure in the Holy Eucharist!

Yes.. totally agree… though I’m not sure I’m ready to make that connection of people leaving the Church over an unbelief in the Real Presence. Most non-Catholic faith beliefs out there are experiencing equal declines in their faithful as well. The main purpose to share the post is for the education of those who are already saying “Amen” to the Eucharist – and may not understand the totality of their Faith that keeps them from the deeper meanings- as outlined in the Priest's structured post.

Obviously the Eucharist is a reason for many converts coming into the Church - though conversely, I just don’t see it as an opposite effect. I think though it is time that the Laity take a more active role in the Catechesis of the Faith… driving discussion of Eucharist and Confession- to exhibit the treasures Christ gave us. With the internet, its just beginning, and I think as this world goes deeper into the toilet, worship and renewed Faith will make a comeback.
Like a bio-rhythm that we can call a Theo-Rhythm.
As we well know, the World God has created is all about Rhythm.

Intuitively you would think a core faith belief of taking Christ into your body may be all-encompassing enough to hold the lapsing Catholic- but individualism more often wins out. "I decide what's right, I decide what's true, what I need"… Reasons for those who are leaving the Church in a weakened state of their faith, can be traced to the clergy scandals, the inability to confess sins, or as in the case of my siblings- a general disbelief and a lack of relevancy to even offer one hour on a Sunday to worhip God and all that has been given us. Lacking ggratitude on a basic level. Our society and its driving culture of materialism too easily replaces sacrificing oneself for God, Church or Neighbor. Its the easier road to take.