Year of the Eucharist

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne invites everyone to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist, which started June 2020 and will continue to June 2021. In his Pastoral Letter, “The Work of Redemption: Eucharistic Belief and Practice in the Archdiocese of Seattle,” he encourages us to grow our understanding and experience of the Eucharist.

The Year of the Eucharist is a special observance in the Archdiocese of Seattle. It is a time to focus on the Eucharist, the center of our sacramental life. It began on June 14, 2020, and continues until June 6, 2021.

Why a year if the Eucharist?

In his pastoral letter, The Work of Redemption: Eucharistic Belief and Practice in the Archdiocese of Seattle, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne wrote: “Our goal is for all Catholics to enter into the mystery we celebrate in order to appreciate it more fully, and we hope that the faithful may also recognize the implications of the sending rite at the end of Mass as a commissioning to live this Eucharistic life in the world, to carry out the mission of Jesus in our day-to-day life.”

What are the themes for the Year of the Eucharist?

While parishes are free to celebrate this year as they see fit, we are proposing four themes, provide a way of reflecting on the breadth of the Eucharist during this year. The four themes reflect the pattern of the Mass:

• June-August: Gathering. We focus on the return to public Mass, to gathering as communities once again in the midst of COVID-19.

• September-December: Word. The Church never celebrates the liturgy without proclaiming the Word of God. During this period, we focus on the power of God’s Word, how it is proclaimed in the liturgy, and how it comes to life in our everyday lives.

• January-March: Presence. We focus on the Real Presence of Christ in the liturgy, especially in the sacrament of his Body and Blood.

• April-June: Sending. We focus on the commissioning at the end of Mass, when we are sent forth to love and to serve.

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 our celebration 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.