Halftime update: local Catholics at National Eucharistic Congress pause to share experiences
The monstrance is pictured during Eucharistic adoration at the July 18, 2024, second revival night of the National Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) -- Hundreds of priests, around 100 bishops and several cardinals concelebrated morning Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium July 18 — a liturgy that kicked off the first full day of National Eucharistic Congress that officially opened the prior evening with a revival centered around a beautiful Holy Hour.
Steve and Shari Mleziva, parishioners at St. Martin de Porres Church in Prosper, traveled to the National Eucharistic Congress from their home in North Texas.
He said, “All of the pilgrims here are amazing. Nearly 50,000 people in Lucas Oil Stadium each night for testimonies, keynotes, and Adoration is incredibly inspiring. The morning Masses are outstanding, of course, in the stadium.”
Alicia Olvera Rubio from St. Mary Parish in Graham said she “decided to attend the Eucharistic Conference because it is a great opportunity to meet Catholics from all over the U.S. I attended SEEK in St. Louis, Missouri, this past January and I know how spiritually reviving it can be to join with others to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.”
After morning Mass, a series of impact sessions, breakout sessions, and special liturgies are offered.
Across the convention center, the nearby St. John the Evangelist Church was packed to capacity, with a line extending out of the door of people waiting to adore Jesus in the Eucharist. The afternoon had a special time of Adoration geared toward families, particularly young children who gathered in the front of church right in front of the Blessed Sacrament. They prayed and looked upon the Eucharist as a beautiful song to a simple uplifting melody enveloped those gathered.
Two religious sisters had buckets of flowers, and children and adults took flowers and put them in vases placed around the altar.
The conclusion of the afternoon's activities gave way to preparations for the congress's nightly revival session, where well-known podcaster Father Mike Schmitz and Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart addressed the crowds at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The keynotes given by Fr. Schmitz and Mother Mary Olga helped prepare congress-goers for a transcendent night of revival centered around Eucharistic adoration.
"Knowledge can make us great, but only love can make a saint," Fr. Schmitz said. Fr. Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, also hosts chart-topping podcasts "The Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year."
"Too often we say, 'We have the real presence,' but our hearts are far from Him. Too often, we just don't care," Father Schmitz said, speaking rapidly and with characteristic energy.
The remedy to indifference is love, he said, and the road to love is repentance.
Steve Mleziva from St. Martin de Porres was impacted by the evening’s talks. He said, “Last night, Fr. Mike Schmitz said that ‘you cannot have a Eucharistic Revival without first having repentance.’ So the slogan on the kneeling cushions for sale is so perfect … ‘Revival starts here.’ We are on our knees in repentance, praise, and Adoration for our God. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to the Eucharistic Procession on the streets of downtown Indianapolis with tens of thousands following our Lord and Savior.”
But while Fr. Mike Schmitz and Mother Mary Olga of the Sacred Heart moved participants with their inspiring keynote exhortations — the last word was given to the Eucharistic Lord. In the darkness of the stadium, with only beams of white light illuminating the Blessed Sacrament, people prayed and contemplated before Jesus, while the air resonated with Latin chants set to Eastern-styled melodies.
By OSV News, including Lauretta Brown, Maria-Pia Negro Chin and Maria Wiering, and NTC staff.