SJV was blessed to catch up with Fr. Jonathan Meyer, ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2003. This marks his tenth year as pastor of four parishes comprising seven churches in Dearborn County, Indiana. He maintains a presence on the internet with weekly homilies and other teachings and began ministering as a National Preacher for the Eucharistic Revival in 2022.
What has being a Eucharistic Preacher meant to you?
I graduated from Saint John Vianney [SJV] in 1999 when Bishop Peter Christensen, then rector, had begun the Thursday 12 hours of Adoration, and I had a Eucharistic conversion of sorts when I was there. My entire priesthood has been very rooted in promoting Eucharistic Adoration, Eucharistic devotion, and reverent celebration of the liturgy. Being a National Eucharistic Preacher is truly a gift and continuation of the graces I received at SJV.
Favorite topics to preach on?
The 14 Stations of the Eucharist, the Eucharist as sacrifice, and Eucharistic Adoration. A talk that went viral with 900,000+ views was my explanation of how the Mass is the re-presentation of Calvary.
Tell us about the Eucharistic Congress.
Every night there was a Eucharistic Holy Hour, and being in Lucas Oil Stadium with 60,000 Catholics on our knees was the Church gathered around the Throne, around the Lamb. It was nothing but the Church doing what she should be doing best which is wasting time with Jesus and realizing that’s what Heaven is going to be: just being with Him. It was all a reminder of what God has put on my heart for my 21 years of priesthood: everything should be about Jesus and directed toward Jesus in the Eucharist.
How can we help those who have fallen away?
Fasting and praying. It’s so important to fast and pray for the conversion of those who don’t believe. Secondly, we need to be a witness of joy. They need to be asking the question “Why are they joyful? Why do they live differently?” From that, hopefully we’ll be witnesses of Eucharistic charity, mercy, and compassion.
What do you miss from SJV?
Consistent regular fraternity. Talking to the guy across the hall, going to meals three times a day with brothers, just being with the guys.
How do you keep from burning out?
Spending a lot of time with Jesus in the Eucharist. I intentionally try to spend more than one hour every day in front of the Blessed Sacrament; if possible, I try to spend two hours. Mother Teresa says if you’re busy you shouldn’t pray less, you should pray more. I work a lot, but I pray a lot and try to keep that balance where it should be.
Also, the importance of priestly fraternity. It’s a choice we have to make to not live in isolation and to intentionally spend time with brother priests. I have a habit of calling three priests on the phone every day so I never have a day of priesthood where I’m trying to do it by myself.
Encouragement for your brother alumni?
Every single one of us had a big dream when we were in seminary to do great things for God. And God still wants to honor that desire we had in our hearts, and that’s a beautiful thing. Don’t forget the dream.