From July 17-21, over 50,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis from all parts of the United States (as well as from other parts of the world) to participate in the Tenth National Eucharistic Congress. The United States hosted an International Eucharistic Congress in 1976 (the nation’s bicentennial year), but it had been 83 years since the …
From July 17-21, over 50,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis from all parts of the United States (as well as from other parts of the world) to participate in the Tenth National Eucharistic Congress. The United States hosted an International Eucharistic Congress in 1976 (the nation’s bicentennial year), but it had been 83 years since the ninth national congress in 1941 – only months before the attack on Pearl Harbor and American involvement in World War II. Needless to say, both our nation and the world have substantial changes since both of those historic congresses.
A Eucharistic Congress – whether diocesan, provincial, regional, national or international – draws participants into prayer and reflection on the importance of the Most Holy Eucharist in the life of the Church. Through the celebration of Masses, time spent in Eucharistic Adoration, and inspiring and educational talks and musical performances, participants are encouraged to deepen their understanding, appreciation, and reverence for the gift of the Eucharist – Christ’s enduring, real presence among us.
The recent congress in Indianapolis came at the conclusion of the second of three years of a National Eucharistic Revival. Concerned about recent polling showing that many Catholics lacked a complete understanding of the Eucharist, and in the wake of the separation from the Eucharist that many of us experienced in the first months of the pandemic, the bishops of the United States called all dioceses, parishes, and parishioners to focus on the Eucharist as the source and summit of our Catholic faith.
At the congress, we heard nationally known speakers – Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Bishop Robert Barron, Father Mike Schmitz, Sister Miriam James Heidland, Chris Stefanik, Dr. Scott Hahn, actor Jonathan Roumie, and from many others who were less well-known but whose faith stories were inspiring and encouraging. Masses were celebrated in the Roman Rite – in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese – and in several of the Eastern Rites of the worldwide Catholic Church – evidence of the diversity among the faithful here in our own country. The music at our liturgies and at the evening presentations also reflected the heritage and diversity of the faith present in our nation.
A highlight of the congress was a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of downtown Indianapolis – from the Indiana Convention Center to the Indiana War Memorial and Museum – a distance of over a mile. The route was lined with participants in the Congress and others from the area, all of whom were enthusiastic in reciting prayers, singing, and welcoming the Blessed Sacrament with applause and shouts of joy. At the conclusion of the procession, the period of Adoration and the celebration of Benediction were profound in their reverence and exultation. It was moving to see so many people of faith lining the streets on a Saturday afternoon, joyously acclaiming the real presence of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.
As wonderful as the National Eucharistic Congress was – and can continue to be as many of the talks and presentations are available on a digital platform at www.eucharisticcongress.org – the National Eucharistic Revival now moves to a Year of Mission. Having encountered Christ once again in our celebrations of the Eucharistic we are invited into mission – to share our experience with others. Perhaps our experiences will inspire others to deepen their own understanding and reverence for the Eucharist or will invite them to attend Mass for the first time (or the first time in many years) or will open their hearts to a true encounter with the Lord.
To assist the faithful in undertaking this Year of Mission, the National Eucharistic Revival is encouraging us to get more involved in our parish, to participate in a study or prayer group, and to engage in acts of charity. In particular, we are invited to participate in the Revival’s program entitled, “Walk with One.” Rather than evangelizing a town, city or nation, we are merely asked to witness and support one person over the course of the next year – someone who may not have yet encountered Christ, or whose faith has lapsed or whose faith has grown stale. For information about how you can participate in this initiative, visit www.eucharisticrevival.org/walk-with-one.
If you were not able to attend the National Eucharistic Congress, I encourage you to read or watch some of the presentations, to engage in the faith formation activities of your parish or of our diocese, and to walk with one or more people as together we grow closer to the Lord.
