How The Eucharist Can Save Civilization
A new release at TAN Books
by R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D.
recommends a return
to a Eucharist-centered life
as the way to rescue civilization.
Released in February 2023 at the start of Lent and amid the multi-year National Eucharistic Revival, How The Eucharist Can Save Civilization reminds Catholics of the call to divine intimacy with the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. Instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, the Eucharist is the heart of saving civilization.
Eucharist Book At First Glance
The hardcover book is 5.5″ x 8.5″ and has 360 pages. The ceremonious cover shows a section of the painting entitled The Blessing of the Wheat in Artois by Jules Breton in 1857. Jules Breton was a French artist who was famous for his paintings of ordinary life in the countryside. Far from ordinary, this painting shows the extraordinary. The reverent processional of Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist honors God’s presence in our world.
Source and Summit of the Christian Life
In 2019, a startling Pew survey revealed that only one-third of Catholics believed in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It’s no wonder why our civilization is struggling to survive. A lack of faith in God is the fundamental problem. In 2022, The United States Bishops responded with a multi-year Eucharist revival in hopes of renewing belief in the Eucharist and changing our lives and civilization.
How The Eucharist Can Save Civilization is being released at a very appropriate time in our Church history when Catholics need a renewal of their faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The author divides the book into three sections. It explores the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life as proclaimed by The Second Vatican Council.
The Source: The Foundations of Christian Culture
The first part looks at the source of the Eucharist found in the story of salvation history. On Holy Thursday at the Last Supper, Jesus established the Eucharist. The Eucharist, the source of spiritual life, is how God has chosen to be present in our world. Just as the disciples recognized Jesus after his death in the breaking of the bread, we also recognize that Jesus is present in body, blood, and divinity in the Eucharist.
The Summit: The Eucharistic Heart of the Christian Life
Next, the book looks at the Eucharist as the summit of our Christian life. Every time we participate in the sacrifice of love at Holy Mass, we encounter Jesus. The lives and hearts of Catholic believers can transform when they receive Jesus at Mass and in the sacraments.
The Christian Life: Building a Eucharistic Civilization
Finally, the last part focuses on a transformation of the heart. The desire to live a Christian life develops after a personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. After receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we can respond by living our lives in service of others to build up our families, communities, and civilization. Most importantly, our actions should reveal Christ at the center of our lives.
“Go Forth, the Mass is Ended”
In conclusion, the author reminds us that we’re not only called to believe in the Eucharist; but called to live out the Eucharist with our lives. At the end of every Mass, we are sent forth on a mission to bring Jesus into the world. By first recognizing and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, we can respond to his call by making him present in our daily lives and the world.
Keep Shopping Catholic!
Many Blessings,
Angela