The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The movement, which was initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, began last June and will continue through 2025.

As part of the Eucharistic Revival in the Diocese of Austin, priests from around the diocese are recording “60 Seconds with the Eucharist.” In the fourth installment, Father Greg Gerhart, the vocations director for the Diocese of Austin, discusses transubstantiation, which is the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the consecration at Mass.

He said transubstantiation can be understood with six simple words: “What looks like bread is God.” Even though it looks like bread, it genuinely and honestly and truly changes, Father Gerhart said.

“When we approach the Mass and receive Holy Communion … we know we are not receiving bread … we know by faith that it is truly God. So we approach it with reverence, respect, gratitude and joy,” he concluded.

The “60 Seconds with the Eucharist” series can be found on YouTube, and the videos are shared on the Diocese of Austin Facebook page.