Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Despite threats of blizzard-like conditions, the Diocese of Evansville in southwestern Indiana successfully held its first-ever Eucharistic congress. Around 1,700 Catholics braved the cold to attend the event, which was organized around Eucharistic devotion and catechesis. Father Tyler Tenbarge, the diocese's vocations director, shared a heartwarming encounter he had with a participant who was deeply moved by the congress. He said, "One of them was one lady with tears in her eyes, talking about how she was so moved, and she was so glad that she took the drive down to go to the congress, and so happy to go back and bring what she learned back to her family."

Eucharistic congresses have been gaining popularity across the United States as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. These local congresses, organized by various dioceses, give Catholics a taste of what to expect at the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The National Congress, set to take place from July 17-21, aims to strengthen Catholics' love for Jesus in the Eucharist and expects tens of thousands of attendees. It is described as an opportunity to "encounter the living Jesus Christ, experience renewal, and be sent out 'for the life of the world.'"

One diocese that has successfully hosted regular Eucharistic congresses is the Archdiocese of Atlanta. These congresses, which have been held since 1996, showcase the archdiocese's ethnic and liturgical diversity while emphasizing unity in the Eucharist. Deacon Dennis Dorner, the archdiocese's chancellor and director of its permanent diaconate, describes the congress as a "Catholic family reunion" and highlights the joy and sense of community that participants experience. He said, "The event showcases the archdiocese's ethnic and liturgical diversity with unity in the Eucharist, and features high-caliber speakers and large-format worship." He also emphasizes that the main focus of the congress is Jesus himself, with the Eucharist being the centerpiece of the event.

The impact of Eucharistic congresses goes beyond the event itself. Participants often bring the energy and inspiration they receive back to their parishes and homes. Deacon Dorner shares stories of families traveling from faraway places, such as a family from Cleveland, Ohio, who would drive to Atlanta for a weekend to attend the congress. He said, "They take that energy back to their parishes, they take it to their homes."

The success of the Atlanta Archdiocese's congress has served as a model for other dioceses, including the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota. Inspired by Bishop Robert E. Barron, who introduced the idea of the National Eucharistic Revival, the diocese organized its first-ever Eucharistic congress in June 2023. Susan Windley-Daoust, the diocese's director of missionary discipleship, expressed the hope that the congress would make a lasting difference in the lives of everyday Catholics in their parishes. To ensure this, the diocese has appointed "Eucharistic galvanizers" in each parish to follow up with attendees and deepen their Eucharistic devotion.

Kris Frank, the vice president of growth and marketing for the National Eucharistic Congress, commented on the positive impact of these diocesan congresses. He believes that they build community and deepen faith among the faithful. He also expressed his hopes for the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress, stating, "We hope the entire church comes together in Indianapolis this summer for a united, powerful and life-changing encounter with God that is being experienced in varying ways at the diocesan congresses."

The power of the Eucharist was evident at the Evansville congress, where Father Tenbarge felt inspired to invite participants to kneel in quiet prayer. He described the profound silence that fell over the crowd, saying, "There was not a rustle of a jacket or anything for three minutes straight." He recognized the intimate connection individuals can have with God even in a large gathering.

Overall, Eucharistic congresses are becoming a significant part of the Catholic experience in the United States. They provide a space for Catholics to deepen their love for Jesus in the Eucharist, experience community, and bring that energy back to their parishes and homes. As the National Eucharistic Congress approaches, the anticipation and excitement continue to grow, with the hope that it will be a transformative and life-changing event for all who attend.