When I saw that the National Eucharistic Congress would be happening this summer, I started imagining that maybe we could make the trip happen.
I have been to papal Masses, and there’s something truly powerful about praying together in a large group. If you haven’t worshipped in a group setting of that size, you might want to try it. It helps you realize that we are part of something so much greater than ourselves.
Jesus told us that it was enough to have two or more gathered in his name, and of course it is. But there is nothing like praying in a stadium full of people who believe, people who trust, people who know they are failing but striving for more.
In the end, I couldn’t figure out how to go to Indianapolis in July. And I would only have gone if we could have gone as a family, which I quickly realized wasn’t feasible.
Still, I’m soaking in all the coverage, because of course I have all the FOMO (fear of missing out) you would expect. And my social media feeds are full of updates from people who are attending.
I pray that this is a fruitful experience for those who are there, of course. But I have to imagine that an event like this can have a profound impact far beyond the event itself.
I believe those people who attend will leave changed—filled with the Holy Spirit, loving the Eucharist more deeply, and feeling closer to Jesus. Maybe they will feel called to live differently. Maybe they will love others more completely. Maybe they will leave with new friends, new hopes, and a new drive to transform the world around them. Maybe they will be a light to others, helping them grow closer to God, too.
Even though I’m not there myself, those who are attending are a light to me. I find seeing the images of people walking with the Eucharist in the streets so incredibly moving. Those photos and videos are full of so much faith and so much love. What a gift this time is for our Church.
One of my favorite moments of the Mass is during the consecration, when time falls away and we are all united around the Lord’s table. I like knowing that whether we are at the National Eucharistic Congress or in our parish church or making a local pilgrimage of our own, we are all together.
We are united in the Eucharist, we are part of the body of Christ, and we are joined in prayer, faith, and love.
Photo by Kevin Parks for The Catholic Review
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