An enthusiastic group of Felician Sisters participated in the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana from July 17-21. 
Nearby St. John the Evangelist Church served as the Adoration chapel for the weekend. It was often so packed with adorers that it was standing room only! After the Congress ended, a mural about the Eucharist will be installed there. During the Congress, it was on display in the Exhibit Hall.
The Congress was a revival and ongoing movement. It was an experience of the universal Church that was both a conference and a pilgrimage. More than 60,000 Catholics and their friends came from near and far to adore the Eucharistic Lord.
The special intercessor of the National Eucharistic Congress was Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian website designer whose devotion to the Eucharist inspired him to document Eucharistic miracles using his computer skills. His relics, along with artwork featuring him, were available to be venerated and admired.
Four groups walked to Indianapolis on pilgrimage from the four corners of the United States. At the beginning of the first night, each group presented a framed picture of the patron saint of the area they came from. Those pictures were placed in the middle of the stadium floor level for the Congress.
Each evening, the entire group gathered for the Revival sessions, a combination of Adoration, speakers, and music that inspired and challenged them. Adoration was a critical part of the Congress. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each evening. The Eucharistic Congress started with it, there was a procession, and it ended with the Eucharist itself, at the closing Mass. A common theme for the Congress was the Road to Emmaus. Several speakers encouraged the pilgrims to see Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with eyes of faith and with their hearts.
A variety of Masses were available daily at different times and in a variety of languages and rites. The chalices and monstrance used at the Congress were blessed by Pope Francis. He extended his blessing other ways, too. The papal nuncio to America spoke the first night and the cardinal who presided over the closing Mass read a letter from Pope Francis.
One recurring theme of the Congregation was repentance. Several speakers quoted from the second chapter of Revelation: “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers... But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” The people were exhorted to revive their hearts from apathy, since repentance is the road to love. It’s not possible to turn to God fully or to give wholeheartedly without it. Many people took advantage of the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation there.
There were exhibits to experience, including an Exhibit Hall where the Felician Sisters had a booth. The sisters represented the community and promoted vocations, talking to fellow pilgrims and offering Felician giveaways. The sisters who weren’t working shifts at the booth visited it, stopping by to talk to the other sisters and those who came to the booth.
Most of the sisters who weren’t working at the booth were part of the Baltimore group. They were guests of Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, a bishop of that diocese and brother of Sister Mary Francis Lewandowski. As honorary Baltimorians, the sisters had transportation to and from the convention center each day.
Participants attended sessions they chose based on their interests and needs. The presenters and performers heard throughout the weekend were a Catholic Who’s Who of well-known speakers, writers, and singers from YouTube, apps, and the publishing world. They encouraged, inspired, and challenged their audience. The crowd was especially excited to see Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the television series The Chosen. Roumie spoke humbly and devoutly about the Eucharist. He had come right after filming the Last Supper scenes for the program and gave a dramatic reading of the Eucharistic prayer of Jesus in the Gospel according to St. John.
Additional pilgrims came for the Eucharistic Procession. 70,000 adorers joined the Procession in downtown Indianapolis. People lined the streets while the line passed, waving and cheering, going down on their knees when the monstrance was near. The procession was led by children who recently received Communion, dressed in their First Communion suits and dresses. They were followed by members of lay ecclesial movements, religious sisters and brothers, priests, and bishops. They walked to a park where they prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet and spent time in Adoration.
Throughout the weekend, they played Walk with One videos, which focused on the importance of reaching out to those we know as a way of evangelizing. There’s a program to keep that initiative going post-Congress. At closing Mass, everyone was sent as Eucharistic Missionaries, which starts the Year of Mission. The movement continues! The next Eucharistic Congress is in 2033, but there will be a Eucharistic Pilgrimage is in the spring of 2025. There may be more to come, too!
The Eucharistic Congress was a powerful experience for all involved. The gifts and graces received by the participants will be felt for a long time. It was a true revival for the Catholic Church that promises to bear much fruit.
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