National & Local Eucharistic Congresses or Conferences - Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration Inc.

Table of Contents

1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES
2 Eucharistic Congresses in the United States of America
- 2.1 2024: 10th National Eucharistic Congress
3 Other National and Local Eucharistic Congresses

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES

PONTIFICAL COMMITTEE FOR INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES

1. What is a Eucharistic Congress?

A Eucharistic Congress should be considered according to the Roman Ritual De comunione et de cultu mysterii eucaristici extra missam (1973) n. 109, “as a gathering (statio) to which a local church invites the other churches of the same region or of the same nation or of the whole world”. [Note: The goal and purpose of International Eucharistic Congresses is to make Christian communities worldwide realize that the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church is the Eucharist. Join in celebrating and preparing by having adoration in your own parish and Christian community and by having a Eucharistic Congress in your country or area.]

2. Who can convoke a Eucharistic Congress?

The Holy Father convokes an International Eucharistic Congress at the place proposed by a local Ordinary (Bishop) or by an Episcopal Conference. Even Bishops can convoke diocesan or national Eucharistic Congresses in their dioceses or respective countries.

The Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses encourages, among other objectives, the celebration of national, diocesan, inter-diocesan and parish Eucharistic Congresses, which can possibly have an ecumenical and inter-religious dimension.

3. What are the ends of the Eucharistic Congress?

With the support of Episcopal Conferences and local bishops, National and diocesan Delegates – and National Committees, where set up – engage in fostering or taking those initiatives that, in accordance with the Church’s present norms, have the scope of increasing understanding and participation in the Eucharistic Mystery in all its aspects: from the celebration to worship extra missam, so that its influence permeates the whole of personal and social living.

4. What should be studied in preparing a Eucharistic Congress?

Documents needing to be studies in preparing a Eucharistic Congress are above all those of the Magisterium: the Instruction De cultu mysterii eucaristici (1967); the Roman Ritual De comunione et de cultu eucaristico extra missam (1973) nn. 110 – 111 and particularly the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucaristia (2003). To express the particular features of every Congress it is indispensable to reflect on the pastoral applications of the basic text drawn up by the local committee.

5. What are the essential features that constitute the celebration of a Eucharistic Congress?

The Roman Ritual points out in no. 112 that the centre of every Eucharistic Congress is the celebration of the Eucharist, the source and summit of the whole Christian life. The celebration of the word of God and talks can contribute to examining the various aspects of the Eucharistic Mystery – aspects that are suggested by the theme of the Congress. The possibility of praying in common and of adoring the Blessed Sacrament in designated churches contributes to interiorizing these themes. Finally, Eucharistic processions can help to express a public and ritual dimension to the faith in the Eucharist, which is celebrated, reflected upon and re-affirmed during the Congress.

6. How long does a Eucharistic Congress last?

According to needs, resources and circumstances, a Eucharistic Congress can take place for a day or last for many days. When resources are limited, many dioceses can unite in a common celebration to employ their resources in the most effective manner.

7. A follow-up to the Congress?

To realise the fruits of a Eucharistic Congress it is indispensable to follow it up in dioceses and parishes through the committed endeavours of the permanent Delegates working in collaboration with pastoral centres.

Source: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pont_committees/eucharist-congr/documents/rc_committ_euchar_doc_20030609_faq_en.html

The following definition of a Eucharistic Congress was taken from the source Wikipedia, on December 9, 2021: “In the Catholic Church, a Eucharistic congress is a gathering of clergy, religious, and laity to bear witness to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is an important Roman Catholic doctrine. Congresses bring together people from a wide area, and typically involve large open-air Masses, Eucharistic adoration (Blessed Sacrament), and other devotional ceremonies held over several days. Congresses may both refer to National (varies by country) and International Eucharistic Congresses. Paschal Baylon is considered the patron saint of such eucharistic congresses.”

Eucharistic Congresses in the United States of America

(You can send us a link for your own Congress)

Taken from Wikipedia, July 31, 2024:

“The first Eucharistic Congress in the United States took place in the late 19th century, although early meetings were attended mostly by clergy. In 1930, leaders issued a national invitation to lay Catholics to attend a rally and procession in Omaha. In Cleveland five years later, more than 80,000 attended. Shortly after the ninth congress in 1941, however, the United States entered World War II, disrupting future plans. A large International Eucharistic Congress was held in Philadelphia in the 1970s, but there were no other national gatherings devoted to the sacrament until the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, July 17–21, 2024, in Indianpolis, Indiana, Lucas Oil Stadium.”

National Eucharistic Congresses in the United States of America^[41]
Num.	Date	Location	Theme	Notes
1st	1895 Oct 2–3	Washington, DC		Held at St. Patrick’s Church, the oldest Catholic church in Washington, DC, and at Catholic University, then only 8 years old. Twenty-five archbishops and bishops attended, most prominently James Cardinal Gibbon, the Archbishop of Baltimore along with some 250 priests, most from Fr. Peter Julian Eymard’s Priests’ Eucharistic League, and most from the Eastern United States.^[42]
2nd	1901 Oct 8–10	St. Louis, MO		Held at St. Francis Xavier, the college church for St. Louis University, some 15 bishops and 600 priests from the Priests’ Eucharistic League attended.^[43]
3rd	1904 Sep 27–29	New York, NY		Held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Archbishop John M. Farley of New York hosted the event.^[44]
4th	1907 Oct 15–17	Pittsburgh, PA		Held in the Cathedral of St. Paul.^[45]
5th	1911 Sep 28–Oct 1	Cincinnati, OH		Held at St. Peter’s Cathedral. Archbishop Henry K. Moeller of Cincinnati hosted the event.^[46]
6th	1930 Sep 23–25	Omaha, NE		The Congress was held at a number of different locations in Omaha, including the cathedral, St. Cecilia’s and Creighton University. A number of newsreel companies were on hand to film the event. Bishop Joseph Rummel of Omaha hosted the event.^[47]
7th	1935 Sep 23–27	Cleveland, OH		500,000 Catholics from around the nation attended. The final Mass, in Cleveland Municipal Stadium drew 125,000. Speakers included Fulton J. Sheen, and Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic major party presidential candidate. Pope Pius XI addressed the Congress by radio.^[48]
8th	1938 Oct 17–20	New Orleans, LA		Held in City Park Stadium. Chicago’s George Cardinal Mundelein, served as a special Papal legate for the Congress. The Goodyear Blimp broadcast sermons, music and the rosary over special loudspeakers along the route for the final procession. Over radio, Pope Pius XI opened the Congress with a five minute address and closed it with a special blessing from Castel Gandolfo.^[49]
9th	1941 Jun 22–26	St. Paul, MN	Our Eucharistic Lord Glorified by Sacrifice	Held at the fairgrounds for the Minnesota State Fair. About 150 bishops from across the United States attended.^[50]
10th	2024 Jul 17–21	Indianapolis, IN	Revival Happens Here	Held in the Indianapolis Colt’s Lucas Oil Stadium.^[51] About 50,000 people attended. As well as 1,500 Catholic priests.

2024: 10th National Eucharistic Congress

Dates: July 17–21, 2024, Indianpolis, Indiana, Lucas Oil Stadium
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – Official Website – From Pentecost 2024 to July 16, 2024 arriving at the National Eucharistic Congress
“The First National Eucharistic Congress in 83 Years: This was a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church. After a historic National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, tens of thousands of pilgrims welcomed Jesus to Indianapolis. United in spirit with our brothers and sisters across the nation, we worshiped Jesus as the Body of Christ and sought repentance in joy and hope.”
“A Catholic Experience Unlike Any Other – At the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, our Catholic family will gather to experience profound, personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love. Like a new Pentecost, this transformation will flow out from Indianapolis to bring revival in our communities as the Church returns to her first love—the source and summit of our faith. Every day at the Congress is designed to facilitate this life-changing encounter with Jesus, regardless of where you are on your faith journey. Attendees will select their preferred series of impact sessions for the morning and breakout sessions for the afternoon. Then, gathered together as one, the whole assembly will experience the powerful revival sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium each evening. Whether you can come for one day or all five, join us for this generational moment.”
Official Schedule for the National Eucharistic Congress, including keynote speakers, emcees, music directors
Congress Schedule.PDF (website-files.com)

Themes

DAY 1 “From the Four Corners – As the Congress begins, the four branches of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will converge at the venue in a powerful symbol of unity. Then—gathered as one Church—we will present our wounded and imperfect hearts to the triune God who loves us. Just as he did on the road to Emmaus, Our Lord will listen to our worries and reveal himself once more in the breaking of the bread. Together, we will have the opportunity to respond to this call in the celebration of the Eucharist. Then we will uncover how the story of our lives can be truly understood within the context of salvation history—the greatest love story ever told.”
DAY 2 “The Greatest Love Story – During this first full day of the Congress, participants will receive a clear kerygmatic proclamation that invites them into intimate relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
DAY 3 “Into Gethsemane – Today, our eyes will be opened to the effects of sin and the healing that Our Lord wants to give us. On the individual level, there will be opportunities for the healing of the whole person, including physical healing, psychological wounds, and spiritual sin. On the corporate level, the Congress will recognize the areas where we’ve failed as a Church and the repentance and healing needed to unify the Body of Christ. As we are purified and restored, our hearts will burn with renewed zeal.”
DAY 4 “This Is My Body – In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke recounts that the disciples “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Using the early Church as a model, this day will build up participants as disciples through Jesus Christ to live out the Gospel in their love of both God and neighbor.”
DAY 5 “To the Ends of the Earth – Pope Francis said the Eucharist is “a summons to go forth, as missionaries, to bring the message of the Father’s tenderness, forgiveness and mercy to every man, woman and child.” Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Spirit has empowered the Church to go to the ends of the earth to share the good news. On this last day of the Congress, we will be commissioned to go out into the world as missionary disciples as we enter the third year of the National Eucharistic Revival: the Year of Mission.”
Congress and faithful Eucharistic Revival