INDIANAPOLIS — For Diego and Jenny Oviedo, knowing that it was the first event of its kind in over 80 years, it was paramount that they make it to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. From their first step in the Expo Center, the Ozone Park couple knew the money and time put into the five-day revival was worth it, and were elated to grow in their understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist.
“We lose how great the Eucharist is, how important it is to our faith to have that belief that Christ is present in the Eucharist. I just wanted to experience this closer, to see other people who believe the same thing I do, and who have that fire,” Diego said.
The Eucharist was centerstage for nearly 50,000 Catholics at the National Eucharistic Congress, as they rededicated themselves to the core tenet of their faith — that the reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord is the source and sustenance of life.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Jenny Oviedo said. “To see so many people and see how our faith is so alive even though you hear so many things otherwise.”
Held at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indianapolis Convention Center from July 17 to July 21, the Congress drew lay people and clergy from across the country, including the Diocese of Brooklyn, who came together on a national scale to worship God. Nightly revivals, Masses celebrated in a range of languages, and perpetual adoration were the backbone of the event, supplemented by numerous breakout sessions, exhibits, and educational booths in an expo center that allowed for nonstop education and discussion about how to deepen one’s faith.
The Shalom Community, the Basilica of Regina Pacis in Bensonhurst, and St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park were among the groups and parishes across the Diocese of Brooklyn represented at the National Eucharistic Congress. They drove, flew, and, for some perpetual pilgrims, walked to Indianapolis.
“Too often we say, ‘We have the real presence,’ but our hearts are far from him. Too often, we just don’t care,” Father Mike Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, and a popular Catholic podcaster said during his keynote address on Day 2 of the revival.
As he prepared to leave the congress on its final day, Shalom missionary and Rego Park resident Mauricio Macias said that the message he takes from the event is to do what Cardinal Tagle implored: To go out into the world and share the Gospel.
“Go — as the bishop said. Go and proclaim. Talk to people and evangelize everyone,” Macias, 23, said.
Coming to the National Eucharistic Congress and seeing 50,000 people who believe as he does makes Macias believe the Catholic Church is growing.
“I want it every year,” Chioma Chukwumah, 33, fellow Shalom missionary from New York, said.
Fortunately for Chukwumah, a eucharistic pilgrimage from Indianapolis to Los Angeles is being planned for spring 2025, according to Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. He announced the plan at the end of closing Mass, and organizers are also considering holding an 11th National Eucharistic Congress in 2033.
“What the Church needs is a new Pentecost,” Mother Adela Galindo, the foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, told the crowd in her keynote speech before the concluding Mass.
“The Church must be faithful to the Gospel … not watering down the message of the Gospel,” she said. “We were born for these times. It is a time to go out in haste to a world that urgently needs to hear God’s word and God’s truth.”
During the day, attendees were offered a slew of opportunities to learn about different aspects of the faith through speakers and workshops. These included sessions specifically for priests, deacons, young faithful, and Catholics in relationships. At night, renowned leaders in the Catholic faith took to the stage to share their testimonies and headstrong certainty of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist — and what it can do to revitalize the lives of those who choose to believe.
After the Diocese of Brooklyn’s revival held at Louis Armstrong Stadium at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in April, Bishop Robert Brennan and the parishioners from Brooklyn and Queens had already begun refocusing themselves on the crucial need for belief in the Eucharist.
To Bishop Brennan, one of the Congress’s most powerful parts was the mile-long eucharistic procession on Saturday, July 20. Thousands of religious sisters and clergy, as well as parishioners representing all the states nationwide, dressed in white, walked to the applause and singing of those watching.
“It filled me with the greatest sense of resolve. I really do have to work hard at this,” Bishop Brennan said. “When you see the numbers of people in the faith and the love that people have, I’ve got to serve that. I have to nourish that enthusiasm.”
Following the procession, Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., spoke at that night’s revival, sharing that he was convinced the crowd made it to Indianapolis “because the Lord called you and appointed you to be here personally.”
He was followed by Jonathan Roumie, a gift for fans of the TV series “The Chosen,” in which he portrays Jesus.
The two major exhibitions drew lines of over two hours, each offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a majority of the attendees. One exhibit offered the chance to see the Shroud of Turin, a length of linen cloth proclaimed by the Vatican to be the burial shroud used to wrap Jesus after his crucifixion.
The other showcased eucharistic miracles as documented by Blessed Carlo Acutis through his website, as well as a chapel offering veneration of relics, including that of the soon-to-be saint.
The Congress’ finale was a farewell Mass, celebrated by papal envoy Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. He brought with him Pope Francis’ “paternal blessings” to the 50,000 in attendance and prayers that “the congress may bear much fruit for the renewal of the Church and of society in the United States of America.”
“Out of all the things we did this week, our celebration of the Eucharist today was the source and the summit,” Bishop Brennan said. “It’s the source of all of our strength and I hope for it to be the source of a lot of energy going back to Brooklyn and Queens.”
During his homily, the bishop shared the pope’s mission for the Catholics who filled Lucas Oil Stadium: “conversion to the Eucharist.” Along with Pope Francis’ messages, he also asked the attendees to share their faith, and therefore the love of God, to the world.
“Mission is not just about work but also about the gift of oneself,” Bishop Brennan 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.”
Leadership in the Diocese of Brooklyn plans to take some of the different revival strategies seen at the National Eucharistic Congress back to their home parishes. Father Joseph Gibino, the vicar of evangelization and catechesis, hopes to host more deanery-level processions and events.
