There comes a time in one’s life when a series of events, or merely just a single event, has a profound impact on that individual. The occurrence of these events initiates or contributes to the individual’s growth and is transformational.
For some Woodstock, in 1969, was a nexus of the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and other pressing social issues that sparked a cultural revolution whose effects continues to propagate to this day.
For others it was 9/11, a “Call to Arms,” an event that surfaced the exacerbated discord in the world, precipitated wars, and resulted in the realignment and isolation of the earthly governing powers. It changed our political thinking and how we perceive the other nations and peoples of the world community.
Another seminal event, with the Grace of God, just occurred July 17 through 21 in Indianapolis, Indiana; the National Eucharistic Congress.
This Congress, a manifestation of the ongoing Eucharistic Revival, has happened to raise our consciousnesses and reenergize our souls, to the sacrifice made by Jesus to save us, and the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. It has grown and picked up momentum the past three years, coming to a well calibrated inflection point, a celebration, in the National Eucharistic Congress.
This National Eucharistic Congress, again three years in its planning by the American Catholic Church, was preceded, over 60 days prior to the Congress, with Pilgrimages from the four corners of our Country culminating in Indianapolis.
The five-day Congress in Indianapolis was both visceral and cerebral with those in attendance; Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Religious, Artists and over 50,000 of the Faithful, all on Fire with the Holy Spirit. The joy and love present were intense, palatable in every corner of the city. People of all ages and backgrounds communed together in perfect harmony. The venue of events for the five days were all enthusiastically packed to the max and ranged from stadium filled Masses and Revivals to smaller breakout sessions, lectures, and workshops.
On the afternoon of the fourth day a Procession of the Eucharist filled the streets of Indianapolis for over three miles, from the city Convention Center to a Memorial Park, lasted several hours without incident, and ending in peaceful prayer and celebration. That evening, Lucas Oil Stadium rocked with testimony and music in a final Revival that left everyone present with an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sunday’s culminating Encounter Session and closing Mass at the filled Lucas Oil Stadium ended with the mandate to spread the Good Word with the “Walk With One” campaign (each attendee brings another person one step closer to the church).
The proclamation of the Good Word with this effort will enable our deepest Hopes to be realized. It was announced that the next National Eucharistic Congress is targeted to be held in 2033; two thousand years since the redemption; passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Nothing is impossible with God. May God be with you all.
Noelsch, Robert “A reflection on the 10th Eucharistic Congress”, 28 July 2024, Bay Shore , NY