The Eucharist is the central and most important part of the Church’s existence. It is rightly described as the origin and pinnacle of all Christian life. (Lumen Gentium, 11; Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10; Presbyterorum Ordinis, 5) This mystery fuels the Church’s outreach, empowering believers to share the Good News with passion and authenticity.
At its core, the Eucharist makes present Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, offering believers intimate communion with the divine. This encounter with Jesus transforms participants, equipping them to be living witnesses in the world. As we partake in Christ’s Body and Blood, we are united closely to Him and to one another, forming a cohesive body ready for mission. When Christians are united in the Eucharist, we speak with one voice, offering a compelling witness to the world.
The evangelizing power of the Eucharist also flows from its nature as presence, and banquet. As real presence, it provides a tangible encounter with God, inspiring awe and reverence that naturally spills over into active witness. As a banquet, it nourishes and strengthens us for the sacred work of spreading the Gospel.
This sacrament strengthens and grows the Church, which is Christ’s body, and is the primary means through which the Gospel is spread. It compels us to share the transformative encounter we experience, driving us beyond the walls of the church and into the world. This sacrament doesn’t allow for a self-contained faith; rather, it is intended to propel Christians outward, urging them to invite others into this life-changing communion with Christ.
For priests, the Eucharist serves as the wellspring of their evangelizing ministry. Religious leaders play a key role in gently encouraging the faithful to engage in pastoral initiatives that spread the Gospel message. Through the Eucharist, they help strengthen the Church and are better prepared to guide their communities in the mission of evangelization.
Ultimately, the Eucharist encapsulates the very essence of the Good News the Church proclaims: God’s self-giving love in Christ, offered freely to all humanity. It is both the means and the end of evangelization. As the source, it provides the spiritual nourishment and divine empowerment necessary for the task. As the summit, it represents the ultimate goal of evangelization—bringing all people into communion with Christ and one another.
Therefore, the Eucharist emerges not just as a ritual, but as the dynamic center of the Church’s evangelizing mission. (Sacramentum Caritatis, 84; Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 22) It continuously renews and empowers us, sending us forth as bearers of Christ’s love and message to a world in need of salvation. In the Eucharist, the Church finds its most potent resource and its highest aspiration for fulfilling Christ’s great commission to make disciples of all nations.
Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Articles on evangelization and parish revitalization:
- Practical Steps for Reaching the Unchurched
- Bible Sharing Guide for Small Groups: A Synodal Approach
- Bringing People to Christ by Inspiring Love and Praise for God
- Proclaiming God’s Word: A Sacred Call
- From Decline to Renewal: The Transformation of New Life Church–Farmington
- The Church’s Social Doctrine and Evangelization
- Kindness: A Christian Perspective
- How to Bring Someone to Christ
- The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life – Glorifying God
- From Near-Death to New Life: A Rural Church’s Revitalization Journey
- Evangelization simply: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
- Revitalization of Rural Churches
- Attracting Converts to the Catholic Faith
- Addressing Low Attendance in Churches
- Fostering a Sacred Atmosphere during the Sunday Mass
- Prayer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit
- Jesus is Thirsty for Souls
- Praying And Sharing The Good News With God’s Redemptive Names
- Embracing the Call to Evangelize
- What is Most Pleasing to God? Bringing Souls to Christ
- The Growth of the Church of the Nativity (Fr. Michael White)
- Deliverance Prayer, by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti (AUDIO – mp3)
- The Growth of Saint Benedict Parish (Fr. James Mallon)
- Five Pillars of the Christian Life
- Encountering Christ: The Path to Transformation
- What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
- Unleashing The Evangelization Potential of Your Parish
- The Ultimate Goal of Evangelization
- God’s Longing for Love and our Mission to Make it Known
- A prayer for those whom we wish to encounter Christ
- Memorable Sundays
- Fr. Bedard’s Three-Step Blueprint for Evangelisation
- Guide for The Missionary Transformation of Parishes
- Divine Encounters: A Practical Guide for Small Evangelization Groups
- The Missionary Transformation of Sant’Eustorgio Parish
- Creating Vibrant Faith Communities: Insights from ‘Excellent Catholic Parishes’
- Sharing The Gospel According to People’s Needs And Receptivity
- A Prayer for Inviting Others to Evangelization Meetings and Services
- Welcoming Church Guests and Visitors: Dos and Don’ts
- Various Dimensions of Evangelization
- The True Measure of Success
- Pope Francis on Evangelization
- Revitalizing the Rural Parish for Mission
- Factors Leading to Christian Conversion
- Evangelizing Through Random Acts of Kindness
- Questions To Start Spiritual Conversations
- Three Feet From Gold
- Spreading the Gospel One Act at a Time
- Gather, Witness and Invite
- Prayer to Receive the Spiritual Gifts of The Holy Spirit
- The Language of Evangelization
- Key Factors for Parish Growth According to Rich Birch
- How to defeat Satan?
- Bringing Love, Hope and Healing Through the Gospel
- Love: Our Fundamental Vocation
- Touched by the Master
- A Man, a Dog, and the Ultimate Love
- The essence of evangelization: Loving God and our neighbours
- Loving Our Enemies and Reconciling with Others
- A Powerful Prayer for Healing: You Are The LORD Who Heals Me
- Living a Life of Love: Mother Teresa’s Legacy
- Living a Life of Love: Lessons from the New Testament
- In The Shadows Of Darkness, A Powerful Force Is At Work
- 19 Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth
- The Missionary Renewal of Catechesis
- Characteristics of missionary parishes
- Powerful healing prayer attributed to St. Padre Pio
- We are called to share our faith with others
- Should we seek to grow the Church?
- Find a Need and Fill It – Revealing God’s Heart in the Community
- 15 Habits to Evangelize on a Daily Basis
- The Church’s Mission
- Three Barriers to Building An Invitational Culture In Your Parish
- The Relational Evangelizer
- Doing Church at Home
- The Blind Girl
- A Group of Frogs
- The Elephant Rope
- A Shared Faith is a Growing Faith
- In The Shoes Of The Unchurched
- Parish Evangelizing Cells
- Six Unique Features of Missional Parishes
- Steps Towards Becoming A Missional Parish
- What Is Evangelization, And How Should It Be Carried Out?
- Discussion And Self-Assessment Questions For Parish Evangelization
- A Missional Church Is A Church That Prays
- The Jesus Prayer: A Method To Pray At All Times
- What can help children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults?
- An Example of a Missionary Parish: Phoenix First Assembly of God
- Satan’s Tactics
- Learning to Be a Missionary
- When we cry out to God, he answers
- Presence and Proclamation
- Saving those who are lost
- Saint-Nazaire Parish: The story of a missionary transformation
- Small Groups and Evangelization
- Evangelizing By Inviting People To Receive Jesus As Lord And Saviour
- You Will Receive Power…
- Have You Heard About the Law of Three Hearings and Seven Touches?
- Three Habits of a Fruitful Christian Life
