In this Year of Mission following the National Eucharistic Congress, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is challenging us to be Eucharistic Missionaries. A Eucharistic Missionary is any Catholic who—inspired by an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and fueled by the Bread of Life—allows God to use them as an instrument of his grace “for the life of the world.” These missionaries embrace their deepest identity as a member of the Body of Christ and commit to living a Eucharistic life with a heart for those who are most in need, those who are lost, and those who are the “least.” They follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel by word and deed. The Year of Mission Playbook is a great resource.
The Four Pillars of Mission
Pillar 1
Eucharistic Encounter
In order to lead people to a relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, we have to maintain an active relationship with him ourselves. This pillar focuses on deepening that personal relationship through prayer, adoration, and the sacraments. Regular, profound encounters with Jesus strengthen us to be a more authentic and powerful witness to his love.
Pillar 2
Eucharistic Identity
To truly live out our mission as Catholics, we must first embrace our identity as beloved children of the Father, shaped by our relationship with Christ in the Eucharist. This pillar emphasizes the importance of internalizing and living out the teachings and love of Jesus, allowing our Eucharistic encounters to define who we are. Through these encounters, our hearts and minds are transformed, guiding us to reflect Christ’s love in every aspect of our lives.
Pillar 3
Eucharistic Life
This pillar encourages us to integrate our love for Christ into every aspect of our lives, transforming daily actions into continuous acts of worship and service. As we love Christ more, our lives become configured to his, reflecting his sacrificial love. When we live a Eucharistic life, we join in Christ’s self-offering, allowing his love to flow through us to others.
Pillar 4
Eucharistic Mission
This pillar is a call to evangelize—boldly spreading the Good News of Christ’s Eucharistic love and mercy in word and deed. As our love for Christ deepens, our lives will become increasingly configured to his mission, compelling us to serve others with his heart. We will be drawn to compassionate service, living our call to be his hands and feet to our neighbors and bring his presence to the margins.