Mary’s presence at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis (I)

Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) hosted the 10th National Eucharistic Congress from July 17- 21, 2024. This historic event attracted more than 50,000 participants from all over the country in four gigantic Eucharistic processions, which left on May 24 and crossed the United States, forming the longest Eucharistic pilgrimage in history.

In parallel, a Marian pilgrimage was organized from New Jersey, with the national Pilgrim Virgin, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Jesus and Mary crossed paths on Memorial Day, May 27, and met up again in Indianapolis!

Because it is "the source and summit of the whole Christian life" (LG, 11), the Eucharist deserves the full attention of Catholics. And one thing's for sure: American Catholics are not about to forget it! The Lucas Oil stadium in Indianapolis, used to hosting basketball and American soccer games, welcomed a huge crowd gathered around the Blessed Sacrament on display, in the presence of a number of personalities including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Holy See's ambassador to the United States, Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in "The Chosen", and Father Mike Schmitz, who has established himself as one of the Church's new leading figures on the Internet. 

The aim of this congress was to foster the faithful's love of the mystery of the Eucharist. 

Eucharistic congresses can be international, national or parish-based.

This event, the first in the country in 83 years, is historic and unprecedented in more ways than one. It is part of a vast "Eucharistic renewal" initiative launched by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), of which this congress is the high point. It was preceded by this incredible nationwide Eucharistic pilgrimage. On Pentecost Sunday 2024, the four processions set off from the four cardinal points of the United States to reach Indianapolis for the congress. These four routes formed a cross, crossing 27 states and 65 dioceses, a total of 10,000 kilometers. According to the organizers, over 100,000 pilgrims took part in the walk. A grandiose pilgrimage, the longest Eucharistic pilgrimage in history, reminding us of the importance of the Real Presence in the life of the Church.

Adapted and translated from fr.aleteia.fr and fr.zenit.fr