Eucharistic Congress

Pilgrims cross the Big Four Bridge in Louisville, approaching Indianapolis

Through big cities and small towns, in comfortable spring conditions, sweltering 90-degree summer heat, and rain. They saw the skyscrapers of New York City, the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf Coast and the grassy plains of Kentucky. The Eucharistic pilgrims who set out from four different starting points in the United States on May 19 slept with host families, as well as in monasteries, retreat centers and convents. Accompanying the Eucharist exposed in monstrances, they walked up to 19 miles on some days on a journey that will end with the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The two biggest challenges are the heat and exhaustion. Along the way, the pilgrims participated in Eucharistic processions, holy hours, special liturgies and other religious events with local communities. They visited shrines, cathedrals and Catholic universities. They processed through rural towns and big cities, and accompanied the Eucharist on boats that traversed local rivers. "We were literally on the boat with Jesus,” some of the pilgrims said. More than 50,000 people will descend on the Circle City, Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, a five-day gathering (July 17-21) that will feature liturgies, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, processions, musical and dramatic performances, panel discussions and individual presentations on various topics related to the Eucharist and its connection to the Catholic Church's evangelizing mission. Organizers are counting on the National Eucharistic Congress to be an event that will fan the flames of spiritual revival in the U.S. church. Others are doubtful that the bishops' plan to promote a devotional form of Catholicism will win back Catholics alienated from the church for a variety of reasons. By the time the Philippines Cardinal Luis Tagle, the papal delegate to the event, celebrates the closing Mass on July 21, organizers say they will have raised and spent more than $22 million for a gathering that they hope will serve as a catalyst to energize Catholics across the United States. The Congress is a response to God's desire to renew the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been beset by polarization and scandal, not to mention the fact that scores of Catholics fell away from the church because of the COVID-19 pandemic.