The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) announced the selection of three research fellows for its Eucharistic Education Task Force, which is expanding substantially in 2023-2024 during this crucial year of the U.S. bishops’ Eucharistic Revival effort.

University of St. Thomas-Houston’s Professor of Theology Dr. Randall Smith was named as a 2023-2024 Cardinal Newman Society research fellow for Eucharistic Liturgy. Joining Smith is David Bonagura Jr., adjunct professor of Theology at Catholic Distance University and Father Jonathan Duncan, chaplain of St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville, South Carolina.

University of St. Thomas is recognized in the Society’s Newman Guide for faithful Catholic education.

According to a CNS announcement, “The fellows will develop guidance and resources for Catholic schools, homeschools, and college educators on teaching the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist across the curriculum and increasing reverence and beauty in student Masses, Eucharistic adoration, Eucharistic processions and prayer. The Cardinal Newman Society will then get these materials into the hands of school and college chaplains, teachers, professors, principals, presidents, superintendents and others who will strengthen Catholic education.

“For many decades, families have seen diminished reverence in Mass, weak catechesis, and infrequent Adoration in many Catholic schools and colleges,” said Bob Laird, senior counselor to the president and director of the Eucharistic Education Task Force at The Cardinal Newman Society. “But the evidence at faithful Newman Guide schools and colleges shows that young Catholics today are eager for traditional practices that lift the soul to God and evidence the Real Presence of Christ at Mass.”

About Dr. Randall Smith

Smith holds a Ph.D in medieval studies and philosophy and an MMS from the University of Notre Dame, as well as an M.A. in Theology from the University of Dallas (also a Newman Guide college). He serves on the board of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and is president of the International Catholic University (now CatholicThinkers.com).

Smith brings a vast array of experience in the intersection of Catholic faith and culture, and his fellowship will focus on reverence and beauty in student liturgy. His books include “From Here to Eternity: Reflections on Death,” “Immortality,” and the “Resurrection of the Body” (Emmaus Press, 2022), “Aquinas,” “Bonaventure,” and the “Scholastic Culture of Medieval Paris: Preaching, Prologues, and Biblical Commentary” (Cambridge University Press, 2021), “Why Believe? Answers to Life’s Questions, vol. 2” (Augustine Institute, 2018) (chapters 2 through 9 on moral theology), and “Reading the Sermons of Thomas Aquinas: A Beginner’s Guide” (Emmaus Press, 2016). He writes regularly for The Catholic Thing.

In unison with the U.S. bishops’ Eucharistic Revival campaign, The Cardinal Newman Society launched its Eucharistic Education Task Force in June 2022, collaborating with faithful Catholic educators to advance: 

• a revival of Eucharistic literacy, by teaching young people the truth of the Real Presence in the Eucharist

• a revival of Eucharistic liturgy by improving liturgical music, prayer and reverence in Catholic schools and college liturgies

• a revival of Eucharistic devotion, by increasing devotion to the Eucharist among young people through prayer and adoration

• a revival of Eucharistic living, by forming young people in lifestyles that conform to the reality of Christ within them.

For more information about the Eucharistic Education Task Force of The Cardinal Newman Society visit https://EucharisticEducation.org.e information about the Eucharistic Education Task Force of The Cardinal Newman Society visit https://EucharisticEducation.org.