The Church is Alive

Oct 2

Back in July, I attended the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. There, over sixty-thousand Catholics attended, united in one heart and mind, to promote devotion to the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Not only did the Congress witness to the world that Christ was truly present among us but also that Christ and His Body were alive in the United States like I had never seen before. I was utterly awestruck.

The Congress was only the culmination of a three-year long process begun by U.S. Bishops to increase devotion and awareness to Christ in the Holy Eucharist. I saw many of these efforts firsthand, especially those undertaken by my campus ministry at The Catholic University of America. However, much of it seemed distant; I never felt any real connection to the wider Eucharistic Revival at all. In retrospect, the real issue in my heart was not that the revival was distant; rather, I did not know how badly I needed it. I needed to see countless hearts aflame with love for Christ in the Eucharist, and that is exactly what happened.

The line I saw when I first arrived at the convention center where many of the Congress’ activities were held would have put even St. Peter’s Square to shame. Walking inside the main expo hall, I was greeted by the sight of more Catholic organizations than I even knew existed. From the Knights of Columbus to religious orders, and people just trying to sell Catholic socks and T-shirts, the full breadth of the Church’s apostolates and ministries were on display. I saw crowds of people all animated with a special joy that radiated throughout the whole building. To top it off, there was a Church directly (literally directly) across the street where there was perpetual adoration throughout all five days of the Congress. The Rosary? The Liturgy of the Hours? Praise and Worship Music? Whatever your prayer life preferred, it was offered. The Church worshiped all five days with her beautiful universality.

Each day had two focus points, Mass in the morning, and an aptly named “Revival Session” in the evening. Few times have I been to liturgies where the Spirit’s Presence was so palpable. The Revival Sessions were composed of talks that would move into a Holy Hour with worship music. By the last night, with an NFL stadium at near full capacity, everyone was singing as loud as they could (yes, even the bishops) to worship the Lord.

As St. Francis de Sales teaches, all people are called to be devout. I have never seen that more manifest than at the Eucharistic Congress. Bishops, priests, sisters, parents, children, college students like me, and even babies, down in adoration fell, and devoutly adored Him. We were sent out alive to our own homes, parishes, schools, and the farthest corners of the world to continue this devotion, with words like these pressed upon their hearts: “To Him be salvation, honor, blessing, might, and endless majesty. Amen.”