Using the best practices and theory of adult faith formation, a eucharistic theology inspired by Saint Eymard, and sound teaching from our Catholic tradition, the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing developed the Life in the Eucharist Program. Its intent was to introduce laity and clergy to the essential elements of a comprehensive understanding of the Eucharist and a dynamic eucharistic spirituality.
In a matter of a few years, hundreds of lay women and men attended a LITE program and many of them chose to be trained to be members of LITE Teams, putting on the program in their own parish and parishes in their dioceses and beyond. Many of these people are now Associates of the Blessed Sacrament.
A parish-based adult education program, the LITE program can be adapted to the needs of the parish, deanery, or diocese seeking to provide an experience that leads people to deeper insight into the Eucharist and to a renewed eucharistic way of life. A hallmark of the program is that teams of lay people and religious provide witness and catechesis on the Eucharist. This is incorporated into sessions marked by prayer and group discussion.
Overview of LITE – Life in the Eucharist
Scriptural and Sacramental Reflections
A Parish Based Adult Faith Formation Program
The heart of every parish is found in its coming together to celebrate the Eucharist and being sent forth to live the Gospel. The liturgy invites us to enjoy full, conscious, and active participation in the life of the Church, especially the celebration of the Eucharist. The worshiping community is called to enter the greater participation in the eucharistic celebration, eucharistic adoration, and service to our sisters and brothers.
The Overall Purpose of the Life in the Eucharist Program
Life in the Eucharist is designed to engage the participants within a parish community to:
● Gain a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist as found in the Scriptures and in the teachings of the Church.
● Develop a meaningful understanding of the Eucharist as: celebration, the liturgy; contemplation, adoration/prayer; and communion, living Christ’s life.
● Deepen their personal and communal relationship with Jesus as members of the Body of Christ in building up the communal life of the parish.
The method employed by LITE is experiential and dialogical. It uses story, song, print, small group/large interaction, communal prayer, along with didactic input from program leaders. These structural elements are woven into a learning process that explores the theological, Biblical, and liturgical richness of the mystery of the Eucharist in connection with the concrete day-to-day happenings of human existence.
The explicitly spiritual goal of the program is to enable participants to live their daily lives in Christ-centered consciousness. Participants are invited to consider a renewed way of life by:
1. Viewing the power of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection as the point of departure for ongoing personal growth and religious development.
2. Promoting personal prayer and adoration as a vital means to instill the fruits of the Eucharist in one’s life.
Forming a team of eucharistic evangelizers to present the Life in the Eucharist program in their parish or wherever God calls.
Program of Five Scriptural Sessions
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Session 1 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Covenant in Jesus Christ
Session 2 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Sacrifice in Jesus Christ
Session 3 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Memorial in Jesus Christ
Session 4 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Praise and Blessing (Berakah) in Jesus Christ
Session 5 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Prophetic Service in Jesus Christ
Program of Five Sacramental Sessions
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Session 1 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Nourishment in Jesus Christ
Session 2 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Reconciliation in Jesus Christ
Session 3 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Transformation in Jesus Christ
Session 4 – Eucharist: God’s Love as the Abiding Prescence in Jesus Christ
Session 5 – Eucharist: God’s Love as Mission in Jesus Christ
Life in the Eucharist for Young People – LITE Teens
Based on the same set of themes and format found in the Life in the Eucharist ― Sacramental Sessions. Teenagers are taught Biblical and theological insights, and then helped to develop their own presentations, music, language, stories, and experiences. This adapted program of eucharistic evangelizing is presented to parish youth groups, confirmation classes, and Catholic high school classes.
Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
5384 Wilson Mills Road
Highland Heights, OH 44143
Telephone: 440-442-6311
E-mail: cee@blessedsacrament.com
