Curtis Martin: FOCUS on the Eucharist

There is something powerful happening in the world today. A revival – a renewal – centered on the Eucharist has begun. For centuries, Catholics have celebrated the mystery of the Eucharist, but today there is a new interest and a new passion for Jesus in the Eucharist. This is not just within the Church – it’s throughout the world and the culture. As the National Eucharistic Congress approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting more on this new reality with great hope.  

Over the past few years, we have witnessed a Eucharistic Revival.There is a growing number of Eucharistic processions; adoration has increased in popularity; the faithful are attending Mass more regularly, and people within the Church, as well as the secular world, are captivated by the Eucharist. 

This Eucharistic Revival stemmed from concern when a 2019 report of the Pew Research Center found that only 34% of practicing Catholics believed in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A more recent study by Vinea Research debunked Pew’s claim, stating that 69% of practicing Catholics believe in Christ’s true presence. 

The reality is that the Eucharistic Revival has taken on a life of its own, and Jesus is captivating the world through the Eucharist. 

When I founded FOCUS 25 years ago, I hoped that we would be able to help people encounter and cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. As beloved Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love.” (Dominicae cenae, no. 3). At FOCUS, we recognize that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives. We make a point to go to daily Mass, receive the Eucharist, go to Holy Hours, and spend time in the presence of the Eucharist – all showing that Christ’s mercy is a priority in our daily lives.. 

Over the last 25 years, we have seen a transformation within the hearts and lives of our FOCUS missionaries and those that we serve. This can be seen clearly at our annual SEEK conference. On the last night of SEEK, tens of thousands kneel down before our Lord in Adoration. This past year alone, SEEK24 brought 24,000 people (college students, lay people, priests, religious sisters, and FOCUS alumni) from across the United States and around the world together for Christ, making it the largest event in St. Louis in 2024. Imagine kneeling alongside over 24,000 people, worshiping our Lord in the Eucharist. It’s incredibly powerful. 

But this love for the Eucharist is not just happening at FOCUS or within the Church. Jesus is captivating the secular world as well.

The New York Times ran a piece about the holy mystery of the Eucharist in 2021. “The sacrament is a holy mystery. It is the most personal and intimate way Catholics connect with God and one another, part of the weekly or even daily routine,” The Times states. “The sacrament is more than a set of theological beliefs. It wraps the divine and the human all into one, connecting the Church and God across time and space.” 

This was literally written in The New York Times. Incredible.

And we see this noted in a recent film I was a part of, “Jesus Thirsts,” centered on the Eucharist. It opened in theaters earlier this month and grossed over $2 million. This film was set to only be available in theaters for a few days, but it continues to break records and continues to be shown in theaters across the nation. Jesus Thirsts competes alongside other mainstream secular movies, and it is #15 in the top-grossing movies for June 2024.

In a mere few days, tens of thousands of people will be gathering in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress – gathering to celebrate our Lord in the Eucharist and come together in worship. In January 2025, SEEK25 will bring together the largest SEEK gathering yet, with over 30,000 people expected across our two events in Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City. 

While music artists may be selling out stadiums with fans who are singing songs at the top of their lungs, we are about to witness the Eucharist take center stage with the faithful worshiping Jesus Christ and singing songs of praise at the top of their lungs. We are witnessing history and truly a Eucharistic transformation in our world. I hope you will join us and be a part of history. 

Curtis Martin is the founder of FOCUS, one of the leading global Catholic outreach organizations founded to spread the good news of Christ. Since 1998, the organization has grown from two missionaries on one campus to more than 980 missionaries serving full time at 234 locations: 193 college campuses, including nine international campuses, nine Digital Outreach campuses, and 23 parishes.