By Denis Grasska and Leonardo Enrique Fonseca
INDIANAPOLIS — “It was ‘Heaven on Earth,’ a taste of the ‘new Jerusalem,’ the ‘countless in number’ worshipping God together.”
That’s how Rose Musico, a member of The Immaculata Parish, described the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, drawing on imagery from the Book of Revelation. It was “an extraordinary, grace-filled experience.”
She was among the 60,000 people from across the United States who gathered in Indianapolis from July 17 to 21 for the Eucharistic Congress, the first national one in nearly a century. Some 70-plus Catholics from the Diocese of San Diego attended, including Auxiliary Bishops Ramón Bejarano, Michael Pham and Felipe Pulido; several clergy, and diocesan and lay leaders. (Cardinal Robert W. McElroy was unable to attend.)
The event, whose major events were held at Lucas Oil Stadium, was the most highly anticipated element of the National Eucharistic Revival, launched two years ago by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to foster greater love and appreciation for Jesus in the Eucharist.
The five-day Congress’ packed schedule included inspiring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, daily Masses, a perpetual Eucharistic adoration chapel, ongoing opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation, concerts, a children’s zone, and an expo hall showcasing many Catholic ministries and other exhibitors.
One of the most dramatic moments from the Congress was a Eucharistic procession through the streets of downtown Indianapolis on the event’s penultimate day.
“It was not only the energy of everyone gathered there and the inspiring keynote speakers, but the beauty of everyone gathered in one faith and purpose,” Bishop Bejarano said, reflecting on what made the Congress so special. “It was powerful to experience the complete, prayerful silence in a place filled with more than 50,000 people, during the moments of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament.”
The goal for the event was that participants would have a transformative encounter with Jesus that would empower them to share their love of the Eucharist with others.
Estrella Pangilinan, of Corpus Christi Parish in Bonita, attended with her husband, Deacon Alan Pangilinan. She compared the Congress to going on a “honeymoon” with the Lord.
“It was so beautiful and amazing,” she said. “My spirit rejoices and (is) full of gratitude, grace and love. Thanks be to God for bringing me and my husband to this uplifting spiritual event.”
Diego Rosario, a young adult parishioner from Corpus Christi, said that the biggest highlight for him was the sense of unity that he experienced during the Congress.
For José Pérez, of Our Lady of Angels Parish, it was “a blessing” to attend “this great Congress.”
“I have experienced the presence of Our Lord through the Blessed Sacrament,” he said. “What I’m taking away, more than anything, is to continue to share God’s love in our parish, in our community and … in all of our Church.”
“Let’s continue to ignite the Catholic Church with the fire of the Holy Spirit!” Pérez urged.
Mychelle Fernandez traveled to Indianapolis from her hometown of San Diego with her husband and their six children.
She said, “It is super important that we are here at the National Eucharistic Congress because we have personally experienced that families and marriages are under attack.”
Sharing that her own family was “in desperate need of healing,” she said that they had been “blessed” to attend a talk by Bob Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center, while at the Congress.
“I think we were meant to be here for our family to experience the healing power of the Eucharist and to see and hear about all the other Eucharistic miracles,” she said.
Angie Rosario, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Chula Vista, shared what she found most meaningful about the event.
“What most touched me and filled me with courage is the call to take Jesus with me, to share Him, and invite people to get closer to Him,” she said. “Through the Eucharist, we can be that salt, that love, that God is calling us to be.”
Carlos Ortiz, of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Imperial, found it difficult to express his feelings about the Eucharistic Congress, but said that one word came to mind: “joy.”
His wife, Irma, said, “It was great to see so many youngsters and complete families. Beautiful!”
All three of San Diego’s auxiliary bishops noted the size of the massive crowds.
“The (Eucharistic Congress) was impressive with the amount of people showing up,” said Bishop Pham, who added that this included many young families with children, and many bishops, priests and consecrated religious.
“When you get 50,000 people praising Jesus, something is going to be transformed inside people’s minds and hearts,” Bishop Pulido said. “I pray that the fruits of the Eucharistic Congress (will) be an abundant love for Christ and for His people.”
The National Eucharistic Congress commences the third and final year of the National Eucharistic Revival. At the conclusion of the Congress, participants were commissioned to return home and to evangelize their families, friends and neighbors about the Eucharist.
Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, who has spearheaded the National Eucharistic Revival, announced that plans are underway for a Eucharistic pilgrimage from Indianapolis to Los Angeles that will take place in spring 2025 to keep the spirit of the Congress alive.
The Congress itself had been preceded by an eight-week Eucharistic pilgrimage whose four routes converged in Indianapolis for the opening Eucharistic procession into Lucas Oil Stadium.
“An event is just an event if it did not have any deep impact in our lives; it is transforming when we allow it to touch our mind and soul,” said Bishop Bejarano, stressing that the value of the Congress will be seen in what participants do with what they have received.
“We were asked to become Eucharistic missionaries,” the bishop said, “and everyone (in) the pews can be one.”
Several participants in the Congress seem ready to accept this challenge.
“The Lord, through His Body and Blood, always invites us to be a part of this mystical body that is the Church,” said Julio Hernández, a member of Our Lady of Angels Parish. “The Lord is always calling us to evangelize … to share His message of love to those close to us.”
Estrella Pangilinan said, “In leaving the (Congress), God is calling me to continue the Eucharistic pilgrimage to my family, to my parish community and to all people I meet, to share the foretaste of heaven here in this world.”
Carlos Ortiz plans to put together a summary of all of the insights that he gained from the Congress and “to share with others, as opportunities arise.” He expects to use some of that material in the catechism classes that he teaches.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, from the Philippines, presided over the closing Mass as Pope Francis’ special envoy.
“The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is a gift and the fulfillment of His mission,” said the cardinal, who serves as pro-prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization.
“Those who choose to stay with Jesus will be sent by Jesus,” he said. “Let us go to proclaim Jesus zealously and joyfully for the life of the world.”
