Father Malachy Joseph Napier, CFR, a priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), is scheduled to be a speaker at the New York State (NYS) Eucharistic Congress, which is set for Oct. 20-22 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville.   

The topic of his talk will be “Saint Francis of Assisi and the Virtues of the Eucharistic Heart of Christ.”

“In Auriesville, centuries ago, the Light of faith burned in the hearts of Isaac Jogues and other witnesses to the faith; this Eucharistic Congress is a gift to the Church in New York, to be able to gather together on sacred ground before the Lord’s burning Presence in the Eucharist,” Father Napier told The Good Newsroom. “For me, there is honestly no greater joy than sharing the love of Jesus with others, so how could I be anything but super excited by the opportunity to come and be a part of this revival fire that the Lord is going to enkindle in Auriesville in October.” 

“If there is anything that St. Francis and the Heart of Jesus both have in common, it is that they are on fire. The Seraphic saint was burning because he met the Lord and his own heart became like that of Christ, a ‘furnace of charity.’ Love has this amazing quality that is diffusive and contagious; it always seems to be giving itself away, and with joy. I can see Francis himself standing before us with the invitation to come to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus and allow ourselves to likewise be healed, transformed, set aflame,” he added. 

Based at St. Crispin Friary in the Bronx, Father Napier, is one of more than 50 National Eucharistic preachers appointed by the U.S. Bishops for the National Eucharistic Revival. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, the second of eight children of Bill and Cynthia Napier, he joined the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in 2008. 

Father Napier made his final vows in 2014 and was ordained in May 2020. His first three years of priesthood were in the CFRs’ mission in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, where his principal work was with young people and prisoners. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English literature and Spanish from Augusta University before studying for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie.

The NYS Eucharistic Congress will be held over 40 hours beginning Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration will take place each night, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The event will conclude after 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday. Learn more about and register to attend the NYS Eucharistic Congress here.