“I would also say that it that it’s had a dramatic effect on my pursuit of holiness. I really do believe that the evidence would show that I’m significantly empowered by the Eucharist to become a better man.”
As part of the multi-year Eucharistic Revival being put on by the U.S. bishops, 60 priests have been commissioned to make themselves available to preach on the Eucharist. Grandon, who serves as national chaplain for the Colorado-based Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), is one of those preachers.
The U.S. bishops’ conference suggests that the preachers could be asked to come to gatherings for diocesan and parish leaders, special diocesan Masses and Eucharistic Holy Hours, youth and young adult events, clergy convocations and retreats, and diocesan Eucharistic assemblies and congresses. The preachers are being provided at no cost.
Grandon said he has committed to making himself available to preach at several locations throughout the next year. He said the intent of his preaching will be to call people to a devotion to the Eucharist, and for those who are already properly devoted to the Eucharist, to call them to an even deeper devotion.
“The understand that if we can help Catholics more deeply encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, with proper understanding, that our Church will be dramatically better for it, and lives will be transformed,” Grandon said.
He noted that many Catholics may view weekly Mass as simply a duty, rather than as an opportunity for renewal. Through his work with FOCUS, Grandon said he has observed — and seen data proving — that the young missionaries they work with are most fruitful in their ministry when they cultivate a devotion to the Eucharist, both in the Mass and in Adoration.