July 24, 2024 at 10:39 a.m.
ALIVE AGAIN IN CHRIST
INDIANAPOLIS — The five days of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis from July 17-21 could not have ended in a more fitting way — with the celebration of the Eucharist with more than 50,000 people gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Usually the home field of the Indianapolis Colts, for one last day, the stadium was filled with people adoring and praising Jesus Christ, hearts overflowing with love and gratitude for what they had experienced over the past week.
The Mass was celebrated by papal envoy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who was present in Indianapolis for the entire congress, and who greeted participants in many different languages. In a homily delivered with energy, joy and humor, Cardinal Tagle thanked "the God who is Love ... for gathering us a family of faith at this closing Mass of the National Eucharistic Congress."
Cardinal Tagle, who serves the Holy See as the pro-prefect of the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization, said he brought with him the "fatherly, paternal blessings" of Pope Francis, who "prays, as we all do, that the congress may bear much fruit for the renewal of the church and of society in the United States of America."
The message of Pope Francis to congress-goers, he said, was "conversion to the Eucharist."
As attendees prepared to leave the five transformative days of the national congress, and were commissioned to go forth to spread the Gospel anew, Cardinal Tagle reflected on the connection between "Eucharistic conversion" and "missionary conversion."
Those who go out on mission are a "gift" to the church and to the world.
"Mission is not just about work but also about the gift of oneself," he said. "Jesus fulfills his mission by giving himself, his flesh, his presence to others as the Father wills it. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is a gift and the fulfillment of his mission."
Where there is "a lack or a weakening of missionary zeal," it could be that it is "partly due to a weakening in the appreciation of gifts and giftedness," he said.
"When pessimism takes over, we see only darkness, failures, problems, things to complain about," he continued. "We do not see gifts in persons and events. And those who do not see gifts in themselves and in others, they will not give gifts; they will not go on a mission."
The cardinal asked those present to examine their own consciences in considering why some people choose to walk away from the Eucharistic Lord, preferring "his absence rather than his presence in their lives."
"I invite you to pause and ask rather painful questions about this mysterious rejection of Jesus by his disciples — by his disciples," Cardinal Tagle said. "Is it possible that we disciples contribute to the departure of others from Jesus?”
"Why do some people leave Jesus, when he is giving the most precious gift of eternal life? Why do some baptized turn away from the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist?" he asked. "Does our biblical, catechetical and liturgical formation allow the gift of Jesus' person to shine forth clearly? Does our Eucharistic celebration manifest Jesus' presence or does it obscure the presence of Jesus?"
Finally, the cardinal said, as attendees go forth, will they stay with Jesus?
"Those who choose to stay with Jesus will be sent by Jesus," he said. "The gift of his presence and love for us will be our gift to people. We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship. That is selfishness. The gift we have received we should give as a gift."
During and after Communion, the stadium was filled with strains of traditional Eucharistic hymns, including "Panis Angelicus" and Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The musicians also performed the original score "the Mass of Peace" composed by Dave Moore, the director of liturgy and music for the National Eucharistic Congress, and his wife, Lauren. The Moores, founders of the Catholic Music Initiative, "a nonprofit apostolate that creates beautiful and singable music for Mass," also performed during the closing Mass and revival session.
Before the mission-sending Mass, the congress held a morning revival. Mother Adela Galindo, founder of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, encouraged them to see Mary as the model Eucharistic missionary and urged attendees to share the visible fruits of what they experienced.
"This is a new chapter in the life of the church, a chapter that we will write with the power of the Holy Spirit," she said.
"What we have freely received, we have to freely give," she said. "We must be witnesses and ardent missionaries of the Eucharist and the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
At that revival, Chris Stefanick, founder of Real Life Catholic, told the crowd that every Communion is a reminder of God's love and this demands a radical response by sharing the Gospel with confidence, rejoicing in his love even when life is hard, and above all, striving to become a saint.
"Every single human heart is made for the love that is Jesus Christ," he said.
"Some people have likened this conference to a Pentecost moment," Stefanick said. "Ask for the grace that he promised to make us his witnesses."
During the Mass, Bishop Andew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minn., board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., asked the crowd if they would accept the bishops' invitation to join the Walk With One initiative by identifying a person they can accompany to better know Jesus.
"Commit yourself to walking with one person," he said. "Commit yourself to becoming a Eucharistic missionary, someone who lives deeply a Eucharistic life, and having received that gift, allows themselves to be given as a gift."
The monstrance is pictured during Eucharistic adoration at the July 18, 2024, second revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
‘ALIVE AGAIN’ IN CHRIST
The final nighttime revival session of the congress on July 20 was marked by an intense spiritual atmosphere. Lifted up by musician Matt Maher, the crowd of over 50,000 had come to the final revival after a mile-long Eucharistic procession in downtown Indianapolis earlier that afternoon.
Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., received a standing ovation as he emphasized the importance of returning to Jesus to heal the church's wounds. Jonathan Roumie, known for his role playing Jesus in "The Chosen," read from the Gospel of John, reflecting on the significance of the Eucharist and its personal impact on his faith. Gloria Purvis shared how her own personal encounter with the Eucharist led to her conversion to the Catholic faith, and called for unity within the church while addressing sources of disunity issues such as rejection of the pope and the sin of racism.
Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minn., urged attendees in his keynote to bring Christ's light into the secular world, emphasizing living the evangelical counsels of obedience, chastity and poverty. The event concluded with Eucharistic adoration led by Bishop David L. Toups of Beaumont, Texas, with heartfelt worship songs and periods of silence. As the Eucharist processed out of the stadium, Maher's voice reverberated through the stadium with the voices of thousands joining him in song: "I'm alive, I'm alive because he lives. Amen, Amen! Let my song join the One that never ends!"
Thousands of pilgrims join the final Eucharistic procession of the National Eucharistic Congress in downtown Indianapolis July 20, 2024. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
CATHOLICS TAKE TO THE STREETS
Tens of thousands of Catholics walked through downtown Indianapolis streets on July 20 for what Bishop Cozzens said "might be the largest Eucharistic procession in the country in decades," but, in prayer during adoration in the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, he said their immense numbers were still "too small." "There are millions of people in our own states, in our dioceses, who don't yet know you," said Bishop Cozzens. In his prayer, he encouraged the throngs of people kneeling in the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza to be missionaries to those who need to be brought to Jesus.
The 10-block procession through downtown was a much-anticipated highlight of the congress, held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, and the first national Eucharistic congress in 83 years. More than 50,000 passes were sold for the congress, but organizers expected the procession to draw from beyond congress participants. The float carrying the Eucharist was preceded by hundreds of seminarians, religious sisters and brothers, deacons, an estimated 1,000 priests, and more than 100 bishops and cardinals — including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the U.S. papal nuncio, and Cardinal Tagle.
Participants pray during the opening revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis July 17, 2024. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
ADORATION FOR HEALING HEARTS
At the third revival night of the congress in Lucas Oil Stadium on July 19, Sister Josephine Garrett emphasized the event marked a beginning, not an end, for participants.
Speaking before tens of thousands in Indianapolis, she encouraged them to seek personal healing through Jesus. Sister Josephine highlighted two key aspects of the Eucharistic revival: devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and repentance. She called for joyful repentance, reminding everyone that healing starts with this process. Sister Josephine urged bishops, priests, religious and laypeople to deepen their spiritual commitments and seek joy and confidence in repentance.
Her message was followed by Sister Miriam James Heidland, who led prayers for personal healing, encouraging attendees to let Jesus transform their hearts. Benedictine Father Boniface Hicks processed with the Eucharist through the stadium, with people being visibly moved on the floor, leading prayers for repentance and healing. The evening also featured testimonies, including former tennis champion Paula Umana's story of regaining the ability to walk with assistance after suffering quadriplegia through faith and intercession. The revival moved many participants, with some sharing experiences of deep spiritual impact. After the event, there were long lines for confession at the Indiana Convention Center and the nearby St. John the Evangelist was packed with people adoring Jesus in the Eucharist, reflecting the powerful and transformative nature of the evening.
Iraqi-born Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, founder of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth, prays during the July 18, 2024, second revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
FIND GOD’S HEALING IN THE EUCHARIST
On the third day of the congress on July 19, tens of thousands of participants were invited to seek healing through the Eucharist and extend it to others.
Tony Meléndez, a 62-year-old armless guitarist, inspired attendees by sharing his life story and playing his guitar with his feet, with a performance emphasizing Jesus' healing power. The day's theme was "Into Gethsemane," and seven impact sessions focused on healing, such as modern-day healings through prayer as part of Jesus' ongoing work and how Jesus heals family through the transformative power of the sacraments.
Youth heard a healing message about God's unconditional love, and clergy were encouraged to foster a culture of forming men and women as disciples of Jesus on mission. Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio emphasized the Eucharist's role in healing an inability to love and empowering them to love others through working for social justice and engaging in acts of charity. The day included a meal-packing event for Indianapolis' hungry, exemplifying the congress' commitment to help Catholics live that call to charity.
Jonathan Roumie, best known for his TV role as Jesus Christ in "The Chosen," speaks during the July 20, 2024, revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
REPENT, RECONCILE AND EXTEND MERCY
At the Mass for youth at the congress on July 19, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke to the young people about the importance of acknowledging sins and repenting for them.
"We recognize our failings and reach out for the reconciliation that is held out to us. Then we are able to bring what we have received serenely into our broken world," he said on the third day of the congress. "It may seem a daunting mission, but every mission begins with our willingness to accept it, and then drawing on the grace to move forward," he said. With thousands of young people in attendance, Archbishop Broglio preached a message of union and communion, referencing the many troubles in our nation and in our world. He also spoke of the "responsibility to be instruments of the truth" which he said is "fundamental to any process of reconciliation." He called on them to embrace their baptismal responsibility to others, saying, "The experience of forgiveness and reconciliation cannot fail to awaken our desire to fulfill our role in making the Lord's mercy known to all of the nations."
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan celebrates morning Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium July 18, 2024, during the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. At left is Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
‘ONLY LOVE CAN MAKE A SAINT’
On the second night of the congress on July 18, close to 50,000 Catholics prayed together, listened to touching personal testimonies and were invited to reflect on how to turn away from those obstacles dampening the fire of their love for Jesus Christ.
But while Father Mike Schmitz and Mother Mary Olga of the Sacred Heart moved participants with their inspiring keynote exhortations — the last word was given to the Eucharistic Lord. In the darkness of the stadium, with only beams of white light illuminating the Blessed Sacrament, people prayed and contemplated before Jesus, while the air resonated with Latin chants set to Eastern-styled melodies. The keynotes given by Father Schmitz and Mother Mary Olga helped prepare congress-goers for this transcendent night of revival centered around Eucharistic adoration. "Knowledge can make us great, but only love can make a saint," Father Schmitz said. For her part, Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, the founder and servant mother of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth in the Archdiocese of Boston, moved some to tears with her touching keynote as she shared stories of Eucharistic miracles of love and healing amid suffering.
Prelates and clergymen process following morning Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium July 18, 2024, during the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
‘THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD’
Hundreds of priests, around 100 bishops and several cardinals concelebrated the morning Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium on July 18 — a liturgy that kicked off the first full day of the congress that had officially opened the evening prior with a revival centered around a beautiful Holy Hour.
"To recover the centrality of Sunday Mass as God's people are fed with the Bread of Life has to be the resolve of this grand Eucharistic congress," Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, the principal celebrant, said in the homily reflecting on Jesus' "Bread of Life Discourse" in John 6. "As Pope Francis has repeated: 'no Eucharist, no church,'" the cardinal continued. Following the liturgy, the morning's seven "impact sessions" — specific tracks offered for three mornings during the congress — took that message to heart as speakers encouraged the tens of thousands of Congress-goers to enter more deeply into the day's theme of understanding the Eucharist as "the greatest love story."
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