Attendees of the Eucharistic Congress will be able to obtain a plenary indulgenceJaime Reyna: "The Eucharistic Congress is the best spiritual investment we can make".Everything is ready in Indianapolis, Indiana for the start of the X National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21 which will take place at the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Some of the more than 50,000 registered attendees from across the United States have already begun to arrive. The Congress is the first to be held nationally since World War II and is part of the "Eucharistic Revival" initiative, a three-year program that began in 2022 and has been promoted by the bishops of the country with the goal of renewing the Catholic Church in the United States through the knowledge and encounter of Our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist.
For this event, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Luis Tagle as his extraordinary envoy. In the letter of appointment, the pontiff asks the cardinal to "transmit to the parishioners an ardent devotion to the Eucharist" and extends his apostolic blessing to all participants. Cardinal Tagle will preside at the concluding Mass on Sunday, July 21.
What will take place at the Eucharistic Congress
Throughout the five days of the Congress, those attending the X Congress will be able to participate in the Holy Mass in English, Spanish and other languages; they will also be able to attend the Sacrament of Confession and have moments of adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. There will also be a section dedicated to the exposition and veneration of the relics of the Blessed Sacrament. Elizabeth Ann SetonManuel González García, Junípero Serra, and Carlo Acutisamong others.
The congress will offer a series of conferences with different themes for different audiences (youth, parish leaders, clergy, etc.). These will be presented by renowned speakers and academics from the American Catholic world, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the USA, Bishop Robert Barron, Father Mike Schmitz, Father Robert Spitzer, Dr. Scott Hahn and Dr. Hosffman Ospino among many others.
Tim Glemkowski, executive director of the Congress, said that on the eve of the event "there is a lot of excitement and energy" because it has been many months of preparation, but so far "God's grace has been poured out abundantly. For his part, Jason Shanks, who will replace Tim Glemkowski on August 1, indicated that "this moment is part of a much larger movement within our Church" and added that the mission of this Eucharistic Renaissance will not be complete until every Catholic has a personal and profound relationship with our Lord Jesus who is really and truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Praying for peace
Referring to the security of the 10th Congress, due to the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Bishop Andrew Cozzens - Bishop of Crookston and president of the Board of Directors of the 10th Eucharistic Congress - noted that the congress has been planned to guarantee all security conditions. "We have retained the services of a nationally recognized security company, which has been working in coordination with intelligence units and law enforcement authorities at the local, state and federal levels."
The prelate added that it is a privilege "to gather in prayer with Our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at a time when our country and the world need the peace that comes only from Him. We will be praying for the healing of divisions in the U.S. and for an end to violence," Bishop Cozzens concluded.
Preparations for the Eucharistic Congress
As part of the Eucharistic Renaissance and in preparation for the Tenth Congress, various initiatives were carried out throughout the country at the local and diocesan levels, including a national Eucharistic pilgrimage that culminated in Indianapolis on July 16 and traveled 6,500 miles along four routes. A total of 250,000 people participated in the pilgrimage. Dozens of Eucharistic congresses and diocesan processions with the Blessed Sacrament also took place.
Also, with the help of theologians, the organizers produced a series of seven formative videos called "Jesus and the Eucharist". This material was designed to be part of and encourage small study groups at the parish level. So far the videos have had 300,000 views on multiple streaming platforms. More than 12,000 parish leaders and a team of "Eucharistic preachers" participated in the dissemination of these initiatives. At the end of the congress, the bishops will send "Eucharistic missionaries" whose task will be to go to the peripheries of their communities and continue to foster love and knowledge of Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
Some of the liturgies and sessions of the Congress can be followed from July 17 to 21 at the website of the event.
